G0123 HCPCS code: Screening cytopathology, cervical or vaginal (any reporting system), collected in preservative fluid, automated thin layer preparation, screening by cytotechnologist under physician supervision
G0123 is the HCPCS Level II code for screening cytopathology, cervical or vaginal (any reporting system), collected in preservative fluid, automated thin layer preparation, screening by cytotechnologist under physician supervision. In 2024 Medicare paid an average of $19.83 per service for G0123 across 42,611 services. Its Medicare coverage code is D (Special coverage instructions apply): Medicare covers it when its national or local coverage criteria are met. The NCCI unit limit is 1 per day on outpatient hospital claims. Medicare volume fell 30% from 2022 to 2024 (61,124 to 42,611 services). In 2024, about 364 clinicians billed Medicare for G0123 for 42,611 beneficiaries; Pennsylvania, California, New Jersey accounted for 46% of services.
Code details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Section | G codes — Procedures and professional services (temporary) |
| Coverage code | D — Special coverage instructions apply |
| Pricing indicator | 21 — Priced on the Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule |
| BETOS category | T1H |
| Added | 1998-04-01 |
| Last action effective | 1998-04-01 |
Who bills G0123 (2024)
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Clinicians billing (by place of service) | 364 |
| Medicare beneficiaries | 42,611 |
| States with claims | 41 |
| Share of services in top 3 states (Pennsylvania, California, New Jersey) | 46% |
Counts only. Supplier and clinician names, contact lists and state-by-state detail are in Caduvo.
Medicare utilization for G0123, 2022–2024
| Year | Services | Beneficiaries | Avg. allowed | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 61,124 | 61,124 | $19.99 | $19.99 |
| 2023 | 53,376 | 53,376 | $19.84 | $19.84 |
| 2024 | 42,611 | 42,611 | $19.83 | $19.83 |
States with the most G0123 services (2024)
| State | Services | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 9,298 | $19.84 |
| California | 6,204 | $19.84 |
| New Jersey | 4,140 | $19.85 |
| New York | 2,848 | $19.80 |
| Florida | 2,537 | $19.85 |
NCCI unit limits (MUE)
| Claim type | Max units per day | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| outpatient hospital claims | 1 | Anatomic Consideration |
| practitioner claims | 1 | Anatomic Consideration |
What changed for G0123
- 1998-04-01: G0123 added to HCPCS Level II
- Next scheduled CMS quarterly update (HCPCS and DMEPOS fee schedule): 2027-01-01
Frequently asked questions
What is HCPCS code G0123?
G0123 is the HCPCS Level II code for screening cytopathology, cervical or vaginal (any reporting system), collected in preservative fluid, automated thin layer preparation, screening by cytotechnologist under physician supervision. Short descriptor: "Screen cerv/vag thin layer".
How much does Medicare pay for G0123?
In 2024, the average Medicare payment was $19.83 per service (average allowed $19.83).
Does Medicare cover G0123?
Coverage code D — Special coverage instructions apply. Medicare covers it when its national or local coverage criteria are met.
How many units of G0123 can be billed per day?
1 on outpatient hospital claims; 1 on practitioner claims (NCCI medically unlikely edits).
Related G01 codes
- G0101 — Cervical or vaginal cancer screening; pelvic and clinical breast examination
- G0102 — Prostate cancer screening; digital rectal examination
- G0103 — Prostate cancer screening; prostate specific antigen test (PSA)
- G0104 — Colorectal cancer screening; flexible sigmoidoscopy
- G0105 — Colorectal cancer screening; colonoscopy on individual at high risk
- G0106 — Colorectal cancer screening; alternative to g0104, screening sigmoidoscopy, barium enema
- G0108 — Diabetes outpatient self-management training services, individual, per 30 minutes
- G0109 — Diabetes outpatient self-management training services, group session (2 or more), per 30 minutes
- G0117 — Glaucoma screening for high risk patients furnished by an optometrist or ophthalmologist
- G0118 — Glaucoma screening for high risk patient furnished under the direct supervision of an optometrist or ophthalmologist
- G0120 — Colorectal cancer screening; alternative to g0105, screening colonoscopy, barium enema.
- G0121 — Colorectal cancer screening; colonoscopy on individual not meeting criteria for high risk
Building a device that would bill under a code like this? Caduvo matches a device description to HCPCS/CPT codes, Medicare coverage and payment, and the FDA pathway in one report.
Next steps
- Run a reimbursement report for a device billed under G0123
- Watch G0123 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for G0123
Sources: CMS HCPCS Level II release October 2025; CMS DMEPOS fee schedule; CMS NCCI MUE tables; CMS Medicare utilization (physician and DME supplier files); CMS Medicare Coverage Database articles. Fees are Medicare allowables, not commercial rates. Not billing or legal advice.