CPT code 88108: Concentrated cytology, non-gynecologic specimen2026 Medicare rate & RVUs

Reports cytologic evaluation of a non-gynecologic specimen prepared by concentration, with microscopic examination and interpretation of the resulting slides.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026109 payment localities172.9K Medicare services in 2024

Medicare pays $68.81 for 88108 nationally in the office. Local office rates run $60.90–$93.84.

Medicare rate · 88108

Concentrated cytology, non-gynecologic specimen

Office or facility?

Work RVUs
0.43
Total RVUs
2.06
Global days
XXX

National rate · 2026

$68.81

Office setting, before claim adjustments.

See every locality for 88108 →Billed by an NP, PA or therapist? →

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

Your location

Medicare pays by the payment locality where the service is performed.

On this page 10 sections
  1. Medicare rate
  2. What 88108 covers
  3. By payment locality
  4. Rate map
  5. How it’s calculated
  6. Payment rules
  7. Similar codes
  8. Related codes
  9. Billing questions
  10. Sources

What 88108 covers

The laboratory concentrates cells from a non-gynecologic specimen and prepares material for microscopic examination. Sputum processed by a concentration method such as the Saccomanno technique is a classic example; urine, bronchial washings, and body-cavity fluids may also be evaluated this way. A pathologist or other qualified physician interprets the prepared slides for cellular abnormalities, including evidence of malignancy.

Choose this service when the documented preparation uses a concentration technique, rather than basing code selection on the specimen source alone. The record should identify the specimen and support the preparation and interpretive work performed. The global service includes the technical work and interpretation. Report modifier 26 for the professional interpretation alone or modifier TC for the technical work, including equipment and staff.

This summary was written with AI assistance from CMS physician fee schedule data and checked against the CMS billing rules shown here. Rates on this page come directly from CMS files.

Where 88108 pays more and less

The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.

109 payment localities

$60.90 to $93.84

$60.90$77.37$93.84
One dot per payment locality, office / nonfacility. Hover a dot to see the locality; select it to open that rate.

109 of 109 payment localities

88108 office and facility rates by payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Alabama$61.79Unavailable
Alaska$79.18Unavailable
Arizona$67.04Unavailable
Arkansas$60.90Unavailable
Atlanta, GA$69.84Unavailable
Austin, TX$71.88Unavailable
Bakersfield, CA$73.98Unavailable
Baltimore area, MD$73.12Unavailable
Beaumont, TX$63.92Unavailable
Brazoria, TX$68.29Unavailable

88108 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

Explore a state

Local rates. Clear comparisons.

Hover or focus a tile to see its rate range. Select it to open the state’s fee schedule.

$60.90

$83.87

Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.

View every state and territory as a table
88108 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$79.181
AL$61.791
AR$60.901
AZ$67.041
CA$73.90–$93.8429
CO$72.271
CT$73.371
DC$79.231
DE$68.161
FL$66.78–$72.033
GA$63.13–$69.842
GU$75.891
HI$75.891
IA$63.831
ID$64.151
IL$64.50–$70.874
IN$64.541
KS$63.311
KY$62.781
LA$62.59–$65.722
MA$71.75–$79.752
MD$69.54–$79.233
ME$64.25–$68.082
MI$64.21–$67.382
MN$69.901
MO$61.37–$66.233
MS$61.161
MT$68.801
NC$64.961
ND$68.411
NE$64.251
NH$70.931
NJ$74.39–$78.362
NM$64.481
NV$68.751
NY$65.92–$80.465
OH$64.131
OK$62.901
OR$68.39–$74.832
PA$64.36–$71.402
PR$69.391
RI$70.781
SC$64.621
SD$68.361
TN$63.601
TX$63.92–$71.888
UT$65.511
VA$67.70–$79.232
VI$69.391
VT$67.941
WA$71.68–$81.612
WI$66.091
WV$62.051
WY$68.631

How the 88108 rate is calculated

Each of 88108’s three RVUs is multiplied by a geographic index (GPCI) for the payment locality, added up, and multiplied by the conversion factor. Drag the indexes or enter a ZIP to see what moves the rate.

How the rate is built · 88108

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.43

0.43 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense1.61

1.61 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.02

0.02 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

2.0600

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$68.81

Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.

Payment rules and modifiers for 88108

The CMS indicators that decide how 88108 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 88108

Concentrated cytology, non-gynecologic specimen

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global periodXXXThe global surgery concept doesn’t apply.
Multiple procedures0No multiple-procedure reduction.
Bilateral (modifier 50)0The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply.
Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS)0Not paid without supporting documentation.
Co-surgeons (62)0Not permitted.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical1Diagnostic test with separate professional (26) and technical (TC) components.

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 26 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

88108 without 26 · national office

$68.81

Concentrated cytology, non-gynecologic specimen

88108-26 · Professional component

$21.38

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

88108 compared with similar codes

Compare codes · National

4 codes, side by side

Office or facility?

  • 88108

    Concentrated cytology, non-gynecologic specimen0.43 wRVU

    $68.81

  • 88104

    Fluid cytology, direct smear method0.55 wRVU

    $84.17+$15.36

  • 88106

    Fluid cytology, filter technique0.36 wRVU

    $67.47−$1.34

  • 88112

    Selective-enhancement cytology, nongynecologic specimens0.55 wRVU

    $65.47−$3.34

How to choose

88104Fluid cytologyDirect smear method
88104 is selected for the applicable non-gynecologic smear service without the concentration method that distinguishes 88108.
88106Fluid cytologyFilter technique
88106 is tied to filter preparation; 88108 is appropriate when the specimen is prepared using a concentration technique.
88112Selective-enhancement cytologyNongynecologic specimens
88112 covers cell-enhancement preparation, including cell-block methods. Choose 88108 when the documented method is concentration instead.

88108 billing questions

How does 88108 differ from 88104?

Use 88108 when the laboratory concentrates the specimen before preparing material for examination. Use 88104 for the applicable non-gynecologic smear service when the preparation is not by concentration.

When should 88106 be considered instead?

88106 describes a filter-based preparation. Select between it and 88108 according to the documented laboratory preparation method, not just the specimen type.

Which modifiers identify the professional and technical work?

Modifier 26 reports the professional interpretation, and modifier TC reports the technical work. Without either modifier, the claim represents the global service.

What documentation supports reporting 88108?

Document the non-gynecologic specimen source and the concentration preparation performed, along with the resulting cytologic interpretation. The preparation method helps distinguish this service from a direct smear or another enhanced preparation.

Where these rates come from

FeeBase calculates base physician payments from CMS work, practice-expense and malpractice RVUs, adjusted by each locality’s geographic indexes and the conversion factor. Services without a published rate are labeled, never given a made-up amount. Amounts are Medicare allowed amounts before claim adjustments: not a patient’s bill or a commercial rate.

CMS RVU26D · effective Oct 1, 2026 through the day before Jan 1, 2027

Show the CMS file lines behind this rate
RVUs for 88108PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 11,109 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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