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The American Cancer Society (ACS) has released updated cervical cancer screening guidelines. These updates reflect the latest research and recommendations aimed at improving screening access and helping individuals stay informed about their health. The updated guidelines introduce the option of self-collection of vaginal samples for HPV testing and new guidance on when screening can end.
Source: American Cancer Society
How the New Guidelines Compare to the Previously Published Guidelines:
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2020 Guidelines
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2025 Guidelines
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Self-collection for primary HPV testing
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Not Included
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Self-collected vaginal specimens done privately in a clinic or at home, without a health care provider present, are acceptable for HPV testing as part of a screening for cervical cancer. As long as specimens are HPV negative, screening with self-collection should be repeated every 3 years. Clinician-collected cervical specimens are preferred and should be done every 5 years.
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Stopping (Exiting) Cervical Screening Safely
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Individuals with a cervix who have an average risk of developing cervical cancer and who have had a regular screening in the past 10 years with normal results and no results of CIN2 or a more serious diagnosis within the past 25 years may stop cervical cancer screening.
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Individuals with an average risk of developing cervical cancer may stop being screened after having negative primary HPV tests or negative co-testing using HPV tests and cytology testing (Pap tests) at age 60 and 65.
If primary HPV tests or co-testing are not available, 3 consecutive negative cytology tests at the recommended screening interval, with the last test at age 65, are acceptable.
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*ACS Guidelines are aligned with the draft United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) Guidelines, which serve as the required screening standard for the program.
Every Woman Matters Paying for HPV Self-Collection Starting January 15, 2026
Available every 5 years for asymptomatic patients eligible for primary HPV testing.
Beginning January 15, 2026, Every Woman Matters (EWM) will cover in-clinic HPV self-collection once every five years, in accordance with the draft USPSTF Guidelines. EWM currently covers two FDA-approved test kits:
- BD Onclarity with Copan 522C.80 swab
- Roche cobas with Evalyn brush or Copan 522C.80 swab
No additional documentation is required from clinics or EWM patients.
The HPV self-collection test uses the same CPT codes as primary HPV testing.
-87624: Human Papillomavirus HPV), high risk types
-87625: Human Papillomavirus HPV), types 16 and 18 only
-87626: Human Papillomavirus HPV) Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA)
To indicate that this test was performed during the patient visit:
Write 'HPV Self-Collect' on the screening card under Screening Pap
HPV test results are required to ensure accurate patient tracking and payment for services.
Please review the American Cancer Society and National Roundtable on Cervical Cancer’s Preparing for self-collection Clinician Communication Guide for important considerations before implementation.
If you have questions please call EWM at 800-532-2227 or 402-471-0929.
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