TRICARE Covers Additional Cervical Cancer Screening Test

TRICARE® has added coverage for an enhanced cervical cancer screening test that helps detect the presence of the human papillomavirus (HPV). The HPV Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) test is done to find a high-risk HPV infection that can cause cervical cancer. To perform the HPV test, cells are collected from the cervix at the same time a pap smear is performed. The HPV DNA test is covered as a cervical cancer screening under TRICARE’s clinical preventive services benefit when performed in conjunction with a Pap smear for women aged 30 and older. Prior authorization for HPV testing is not required, and beneficiaries have no copayments or cost-shares for routine cervical cancer screening under TRICARE. To be eligible for reimbursement as a cervical cancer screening, HPV DNA testing (CPT procedure codes 87620-87622) must be billed in conjunction with a Pap smear (CPT procedure codes 88141-88155, 88164-88167, 88174, and 88175).