January is Cervical Health Awareness Month

12/14/2023

More than 13,000 women in the United States are diagnosed each year with invasive cervical cancer. The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a causative agent of cervical and other cancers.* Cervical cancer is preventable with vaccination and appropriate screening.

Steps for Closing Care Gaps

Highlight the importance of early detection. Review barriers and stress the importance of yearly screening.

  • Put reminders in patients’ chart for when next screening is due, and place reminder phone calls for scheduling.
  • Flag charts of patients after screening is performed to ensure timely follow-up with results; capture data for compliance.
  • Ensure a process is in place for submitting either coding or supplemental data:
    • Cervical Cytology: CPT: 88141-88143, 88147, 88148, 88150, 88152-88154, 88164-88167, 88174, 88175
    • HCPCS: G0123, G0124, G0141, G0143, G0144, G0147, G0148, P3000, P3001, Q0091
    • HPV Test: CPT: 87620, 87621, 87622, 87624, 87625
    • HCPCS: G0476

While addressing cervical health, we also recommend addressing sexually transmitted diseases that can be prevented with lifestyle changes, such as adopting condom usage, or taking medications such as PrEP if HIV/AIDS is also a risk.

 

*Source: National Center for Biotechnology information, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7253883/