Price Checker / CPT 88160
How much does Cytopath Smear Other Source cost?
CPT 88160 · Based on 2026 Medicare rates and hospital-published pricing
The average hospital charge is around 163x the fair price — among the most extreme markups. Dispute this.
Fair price
$160–$190
What this should cost
With insurance
~$350
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$240
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $29,271 is $29,091 over the fair price (about 163x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for Cytopath Smear Other Source
From hospital-published transparency (MRF) files. These are the hospitals in our database that list this procedure.
| Hospital | Gross Charge | Cash Rate | vs Medicare |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Muir Health Concord Medical Center , CA | $39,354 | $17,709 | 48187% |
| John Muir Health Walnut Creek Medical Center , CA | $39,354 | $17,709 | 48187% |
| John Muir Health Behavioral Health Center , CA | $38,233 | $17,205 | 46811% |
| Saint Barnabas Behavioral Health Center TOMS RIVER, NJ | $145 | — | 78% |
Were you billed for this procedure?
Send us your bill and we'll compare every line item against Medicare rates and your hospital's published prices. Free review, no obligation.
About Cytopath Smear Other Source
CPT code 88160 refers to cytopath smear other source (billing description: "Cytopath smear other source"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $82 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $82 in a doctor's office.
The Medicare rate is the closest thing to an objective "what this work is actually worth." A fair cash price for the uninsured is generally 1.5–3x that rate. Hospital sticker (gross) charges are often far higher — but almost nobody actually pays them.
What to do if you were overcharged
- 1Send us your bill — we'll identify this code and compare it against the rates shown above.
- 2Get a dispute letter — citing the Medicare rate and your hospital's own published pricing data.
- 3We negotiate for you — 25% of savings, no savings = no fee.