Q0091 HCPCS code: Screening papanicolaou smear; obtaining, preparing and conveyance of cervical or vaginal smear to laboratory
Q0091 is the HCPCS Level II code for screening papanicolaou smear; obtaining, preparing and conveyance of cervical or vaginal smear to laboratory. In 2024 Medicare paid an average of $42.10 per service for Q0091 across 368,731 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 10% from 2022 to 2024 (408,524 to 368,731 services). In 2024, about 41,373 clinicians billed Medicare for Q0091 for 368,694 beneficiaries; New York, Florida, California accounted for 31% of services.
Code details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Section | Q codes — Temporary codes |
| Coverage code | D — Special coverage instructions apply |
| Pricing indicator | 11 — Priced using national relative value units (Physician Fee Schedule) |
| BETOS category | P6C |
| Added | 1992-01-01 |
| Last action effective | 1996-07-01 |
Who bills Q0091 (2024)
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Clinicians billing (by place of service) | 41,373 |
| Medicare beneficiaries | 368,694 |
| States with claims | 54 |
| Share of services in top 3 states (New York, Florida, California) | 31% |
Counts only. Supplier and clinician names, contact lists and state-by-state detail are in Caduvo.
Medicare utilization for Q0091, 2022–2024
| Year | Services | Beneficiaries | Avg. allowed | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 408,524 | 408,473 | $42.41 | $42.41 |
| 2023 | 394,388 | 394,336 | $41.89 | $41.89 |
| 2024 | 368,731 | 368,694 | $42.10 | $42.10 |
States with the most Q0091 services (2024)
| State | Services | Avg. paid |
|---|---|---|
| New York | 48,056 | $47.71 |
| Florida | 38,475 | $41.23 |
| California | 29,440 | $47.56 |
| New Jersey | 26,053 | $47.96 |
| Pennsylvania | 21,423 | $41.10 |
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 Q0091
- 1992-01-01: Q0091 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 Q0091?
Q0091 is the HCPCS Level II code for screening papanicolaou smear; obtaining, preparing and conveyance of cervical or vaginal smear to laboratory. Short descriptor: "Obtaining screen pap smear".
How much does Medicare pay for Q0091?
In 2024, the average Medicare payment was $42.10 per service (average allowed $42.10).
Does Medicare cover Q0091?
Coverage code D — Special coverage instructions apply. Medicare covers it when its national or local coverage criteria are met.
How many units of Q0091 can be billed per day?
1 on outpatient hospital claims; 1 on practitioner claims (NCCI medically unlikely edits).
Related Q00 codes
- Q0035 — Cardiokymography
- Q0081 — Infusion therapy, using other than chemotherapeutic drugs, per visit
- Q0083 — Chemotherapy administration by other than infusion technique only (e.g., subcutaneous, intramuscular, push), per visit
- Q0084 — Chemotherapy administration by infusion technique only, per visit
- Q0085 — Chemotherapy administration by both infusion technique and other technique(s) (e.g., subcutaneous, intramuscular, push), per visit
- Q0092 — Set-up portable x-ray equipment
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 Q0091
- Watch Q0091 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for Q0091
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.