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Official Description

Biopsy of cervix, single or multiple, or local excision of lesion, with or without fulguration (separate procedure)

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 57500 refers to the procedure of performing a biopsy of the cervix, which can involve obtaining single or multiple tissue samples, or conducting a local excision of a lesion found on the cervix. This procedure may be carried out with or without the use of fulguration, which is a technique that employs heat to control bleeding at the biopsy or excision site. During the procedure, a speculum is inserted into the vagina to provide visibility and access to the cervix. The cervix is then cleansed and treated with acetic acid, a solution that enhances the visibility of any lesions present. To minimize discomfort, a local anesthetic may be administered to the patient. A tenaculum, a surgical instrument, may be used to stabilize the cervix during the biopsy or excision process. The clinician will then proceed to obtain one or more tissue samples or excise the lesion. After the procedure, any bleeding that occurs is managed using topical medications or electrocautery. The collected tissue samples are subsequently sent to a laboratory for pathological evaluation to determine the nature of the lesions and to assist in further clinical decision-making.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure described by CPT® Code 57500 is indicated for various clinical scenarios involving the cervix. These indications may include:

  • Abnormal Pap Smear Results Patients with abnormal findings from Pap smear tests may require a biopsy to determine the presence of precancerous or cancerous cells.
  • Cervical Lesions The presence of visible lesions on the cervix, which may be indicative of conditions such as cervical dysplasia or cancer, necessitates biopsy or excision for diagnosis and treatment.
  • Persistent Cervical Symptoms Symptoms such as abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge may prompt the need for a biopsy to investigate underlying causes.

2. Procedure

The procedure for CPT® Code 57500 involves several key steps that ensure the effective collection of tissue samples or excision of lesions. These steps include:

  • Preparation The patient is positioned appropriately, and a speculum is inserted into the vagina to allow for visualization of the cervix. This step is crucial for accessing the cervix safely and effectively.
  • Cleansing and Visualization The cervix is cleansed to reduce the risk of infection, and acetic acid is applied to enhance the visibility of any lesions. This step helps in identifying abnormal areas that may require biopsy or excision.
  • Anesthesia Administration A local anesthetic may be administered to minimize discomfort during the procedure. This is an important step to ensure patient comfort and cooperation.
  • Stabilization of the Cervix A tenaculum may be inserted to hold the cervix in place, providing stability during the biopsy or excision process. This helps in obtaining accurate tissue samples.
  • Tissue Sampling or Excision The clinician will then proceed to obtain one or more tissue samples from the cervix or excise the lesion. This step is critical for obtaining the necessary specimens for laboratory analysis.
  • Control of Bleeding After the biopsy or excision, any bleeding is controlled using topical medications or electrocautery (fulguration). This ensures that the site is stable and reduces the risk of complications.
  • Specimen Handling The collected tissue samples are carefully sent to a laboratory for evaluation. Proper handling and labeling of specimens are essential for accurate diagnosis.

3. Post-Procedure

Following the procedure coded by CPT® 57500, patients may experience some discomfort or light bleeding, which is generally expected. Post-procedure care may include instructions to avoid sexual intercourse, douching, or using tampons for a specified period to allow for proper healing. Patients should be advised to monitor for any signs of excessive bleeding, infection, or other complications, and to follow up with their healthcare provider for results from the laboratory evaluation of the tissue samples. It is important for patients to adhere to any specific post-procedure guidelines provided by their clinician to ensure optimal recovery.

Short Descr BIOPSY OF CERVIX
Medium Descr BIOPSY CERVIX SINGLE/MULT/EXCISION OF LESION SPX
Long Descr Biopsy of cervix, single or multiple, or local excision of lesion, with or without fulguration (separate procedure)
Status Code Active Code
Global Days 000 - Endoscopic or Minor Procedure
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 0 - Physician Service Code
Multiple Procedures (51) 2 - Standard payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply.
Bilateral Surgery (50) 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply.
Physician Supervisions 09 - Concept does not apply.
Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) 1 - Statutory payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure...
Co-Surgeons (62) 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Team Surgery (66) 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator Procedure or Service, Multiple Reduction Applies
ASC Payment Indicator Office-based surgical procedure added to ASC list in CY 2008 or later with MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs; payment based on MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P6C - Minor procedures - other (Medicare fee schedule)
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 130 - Other diagnostic procedures, female organs
59 Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25.
51 Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d).
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
22 Increased procedural services: when the work required to provide a service is substantially greater than typically required, it may be identified by adding modifier 22 to the usual procedure code. documentation must support the substantial additional work and the reason for the additional work (ie, increased intensity, time, technical difficulty of procedure, severity of patient's condition, physical and mental effort required). note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
25 Significant, separately identifiable evaluation and management service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional on the same day of the procedure or other service: it may be necessary to indicate that on the day a procedure or service identified by a cpt code was performed, the patient's condition required a significant, separately identifiable e/m service above and beyond the other service provided or beyond the usual preoperative and postoperative care associated with the procedure that was performed. a significant, separately identifiable e/m service is defined or substantiated by documentation that satisfies the relevant criteria for the respective e/m service to be reported (see evaluation and management services guidelines for instructions on determining level of e/m service). the e/m service may be prompted by the symptom or condition for which the procedure and/or service was provided. as such, different diagnoses are not required for reporting of the e/m services on the same date. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 25 to the appropriate level of e/m service. note: this modifier is not used to report an e/m service that resulted in a decision to perform surgery. see modifier 57 for significant, separately identifiable non-e/m services, see modifier 59.
52 Reduced services: under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the discretion of the physician or other qualified health care professional. under these circumstances the service provided can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 52, signifying that the service is reduced. this provides a means of reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service. note: for hospital outpatient reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well-being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use).
53 Discontinued procedure: under certain circumstances, the physician or other qualified health care professional may elect to terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure. due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, it may be necessary to indicate that a surgical or diagnostic procedure was started but discontinued. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 53 to the code reported by the individual for the discontinued procedure. note: this modifier is not used to report the elective cancellation of a procedure prior to the patient's anesthesia induction and/or surgical preparation in the operating suite. for outpatient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use).
58 Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was: (a) planned or anticipated (staged); (b) more extensive than the original procedure; or (c) for therapy following a surgical procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 58 to the staged or related procedure. note: for treatment of a problem that requires a return to the operating/procedure room (eg, unanticipated clinical condition), see modifier 78.
78 Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician or other qualified health care professional following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that another procedure was performed during the postoperative period of the initial procedure (unplanned procedure following initial procedure). when this procedure is related to the first, and requires the use of an operating/procedure room, it may be reported by adding modifier 78 to the related procedure. (for repeat procedures, see modifier 76.)
79 Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.)
80 Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s).
AG Primary physician
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
FS Split (or shared) evaluation and management visit
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
GY Item or service statutorily excluded, does not meet the definition of any medicare benefit or, for non-medicare insurers, is not a contract benefit
PO Excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital
Q6 Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area
SB Nurse midwife
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
XP Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
Date
Action
Notes
2008-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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