PrepStain (Autocyte Prep System)-Coding

The PrepStain (AutoCyte PREP System) is a liquid-based cell preparation system used for gynecological specimens collected in the SurePath (CytoRich GYN Preservative) vial. It converts a liquid suspension of cells into a discretely stained, homogeneous thin layer maintaining diagnostic cell clusters. This technique includes cell preservation, randomization, enrichment, sedimentation, automated pipetting and staining to create the SurePath (AutoCyte PREP) slide.

GYN Liquid-Based CPT coding:
1. Cervical/vaginal collected in preservative fluid, automated thin-layer preparation; manual screening under physician supervision (CPT 88142).
2. Cervical/vaginal collected in preservative fluid, automated thin-layer preparation; manual screening with subsequent rescreening under physician supervision (CPT 88143).
3. Cervical/vaginal collected in preservative fluid, automated thin-layer preparation; screened by automated system, under physician supervision (CPT 88174).
4. Cervical/vaginal collected in preservative fluid, automated thin-layer preparation with screening by automated system and manual rescreening, under physician supervision (CPT 88175).

NON-GYNECOLOGIC Liquid-Based CPT coding:

Cytopathology, selective cellular enhancement technique with interpretation (e.g. liquid based slide preparation method) except cervical or vaginal. (CPT 88112)

Note: Pathology Review: all cases requiring final interpretation by a pathologist will have an additional CPT code (CPT 88141).

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