CPT code 88112: Selective-enhancement cytology, nongynecologic specimens2026 Medicare rate & RVUs

Medicare pays $65.47 for 88112 nationally in the office. Local office rates run $58.60–$87.70.

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

What 88112 covers

This service involves preparing and interpreting a nongynecologic cytology specimen using selective cellular enhancement, such as a liquid-based slide preparation. Typical specimens include urine, bladder washings, pleural or peritoneal fluid, bronchial washings, and cerebrospinal fluid. In a hospital or independent laboratory, technical staff prepare the slide, a cytotechnologist may screen it, and a pathologist interprets the findings and issues a report.

Report one unit per specimen, not per slide. The report should identify the specimen source and preparation method so the selective-enhancement service can be distinguished from direct smears, filter preparations, and concentration techniques such as cytospin. Do not add a concentration code merely for a preparation step within the reported examination. CMS prices professional and technical components separately: modifier 26 identifies the pathologist’s interpretation, and modifier TC identifies the preparation, equipment, and staff work. Billing without either modifier represents the global service when both components are billed together.

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 88112 pays more and less

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

109 of 109 payment localities

88112 rates by state

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

How the 88112 rate is calculated

Each of 88112’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.

Payment rules and modifiers for 88112

The CMS indicators that decide how 88112 is paid alongside other services.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 26

88112 compared with similar codes

How to choose

88108Concentrated cytologyNon-gynecologic specimen

88108 covers concentration methods such as cytospin. Choose 88112 when the reported examination uses selective cellular enhancement, such as an applicable liquid-based slide preparation.

88104Fluid cytologyDirect smear method

88104 covers direct smears of fluids, washings, or brushings. Choose 88112 when the specimen is processed using a selective cellular enhancement method.

88142Pap testPreservative fluid, manual screening

88142 applies to an applicable cervical or vaginal thin-layer Pap preparation. 88112 covers selective cellular enhancement of nongynecologic specimens such as urine or body fluid.

Codes related to 88112

Related codes aren’t interchangeable: bill the code that matches the service performed.

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

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates