### Question
Can you define what screening pap smear means?


### Answer
**Screening pap smear** is defined as the following in *42 U.S.C. § 1395x*:

> a diagnostic laboratory test consisting of a routine exfoliative cytology test (Papanicolaou test) provided to a woman for the purpose of early detection of cervical or vaginal cancer and includes a physician's interpretation of the results of the test, if the individual involved has not had such a test during the preceding 2 years, or during the preceding year in the case of a woman described in paragraph (3)

#### Citation:
  - *42 U.S.C. § 1395x*
  - Heading: **CHAPTER 7-SOCIAL SECURITY > SUBCHAPTER XVIII-HEALTH INSURANCE FOR AGED AND DISABLED > Part D-Miscellaneous Provisions**

