P3000 HCPCS code: Screening papanicolaou smear, cervical or vaginal, up to three smears, by technician under physician supervision
P3000 is the HCPCS Level II code for screening papanicolaou smear, cervical or vaginal, up to three smears, by technician under physician supervision. In 2024 Medicare paid an average of $17.39 per service for P3000 across 981 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 11% from 2022 to 2024 (1,102 to 981 services). In 2024, about 43 clinicians billed Medicare for P3000 for 981 beneficiaries; Texas, New Jersey, California accounted for 70% of services.
Code details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Section | P codes — Pathology and laboratory services |
| Coverage code | D — Special coverage instructions apply |
| Pricing indicator | 21 — Priced on the Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule |
| BETOS category | T1H |
| Added | 1992-01-01 |
| Last action effective | 1995-01-01 |
Who bills P3000 (2024)
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Clinicians billing (by place of service) | 43 |
| Medicare beneficiaries | 981 |
| States with claims | 9 |
| Share of services in top 3 states (Texas, New Jersey, California) | 70% |
Counts only. Supplier and clinician names, contact lists and state-by-state detail are in Caduvo.
Medicare utilization for P3000, 2022–2024
| Year | Services | Beneficiaries | Avg. allowed | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1,102 | 1,102 | $15.72 | $15.72 |
| 2023 | 955 | 955 | $16.95 | $16.95 |
| 2024 | 981 | 981 | $17.39 | $17.39 |
States with the most P3000 services (2024)
| State | Services | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 266 | $17.38 |
| New Jersey | 210 | $17.40 |
| California | 179 | $17.40 |
| Florida | 133 | $17.40 |
| Pennsylvania | 46 | $17.40 |
NCCI unit limits (MUE)
| Claim type | Max units per day | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| outpatient hospital claims | 1 | Code Descriptor / CPT Instruction |
| practitioner claims | 1 | Code Descriptor / CPT Instruction |
What changed for P3000
- 1992-01-01: P3000 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 P3000?
P3000 is the HCPCS Level II code for screening papanicolaou smear, cervical or vaginal, up to three smears, by technician under physician supervision. Short descriptor: "Screen pap by tech w md supv".
How much does Medicare pay for P3000?
In 2024, the average Medicare payment was $17.39 per service (average allowed $17.39).
Does Medicare cover P3000?
Coverage code D — Special coverage instructions apply. Medicare covers it when its national or local coverage criteria are met.
How many units of P3000 can be billed per day?
1 on outpatient hospital claims; 1 on practitioner claims (NCCI medically unlikely edits).
Related P30 codes
- P3001 — Screening papanicolaou smear, cervical or vaginal, up to three smears, requiring interpretation by physician
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 P3000
- Watch P3000 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for P3000
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.