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CPT code 88121: Urine FISH, computer-assisted, 3–5 probes2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Los Angeles, CA

Computer-assisted in situ hybridization evaluates urinary tract cells with three to five probes, typically supporting assessment or surveillance for urothelial carcinoma.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality21.5K Medicare services in 2024

In Los Angeles, CA, Medicare pays $460.52 for 88121 in the office.

$460.52Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
+16.9%vs the national office rate ($393.80)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 88121 nationwide

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

We’ll open 88121 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Los Angeles, CA
  2. What 88121 covers
  3. Compared with other areas
  4. Rate map
  5. How it’s calculated
  6. Payment rules
  7. Related codes
  8. Rate history
  9. Where it applies
  10. Billing questions
  11. Sources

What 88121 covers

88121 represents computer-assisted cytopathologic analysis of a urinary tract specimen using in situ hybridization with a panel of three to five probes. The method evaluates probe signals in urothelial cells for chromosomal changes associated with urothelial carcinoma; it may be used when evaluating hematuria or monitoring a patient with a history of bladder cancer. Laboratory staff prepare and analyze the specimen, with a pathologist or other qualified professional interpreting the findings. Pathology and molecular diagnostic laboratories commonly perform this service.

Report one unit for each specimen examined. Documentation should identify the urinary specimen, the probe panel and count, the computer-assisted method, and the interpretation. This distinguishes 88121 from 88120, which describes the corresponding service without computer assistance. CMS recognizes professional and technical components: modifier 26 identifies interpretation, modifier TC identifies equipment and staff, and billing without either modifier represents the global service.

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.

How Los Angeles, CA compares for 88121

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 88121 runs from $342.43 in Arkansas to $555.78 in San Benito County, CA. Los Angeles, CA pays $460.52. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

88121 in Los Angeles, CA vs other payment areas
  1. Los Angeles, CA · this page$460.52
  2. Bakersfield, CA · California$428.43−$32.09
  3. Chico, CA · California$428.27−$32.25
  4. El Centro, CA · California$428.27−$32.25
  5. Fresno, CA · California$428.27−$32.25
  6. Hanford, CA · California$428.27−$32.25
  7. Madera, CA · California$428.27−$32.25

Other areas in California first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

88121 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Merced, CACalifornia$428.27—
Modesto, CACalifornia$428.27—
Napa, CACalifornia$509.59—
Oxnard, CACalifornia$459.68—
Redding, CACalifornia$428.27—
Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia$428.27—
Riverside, CACalifornia$428.72—
Sacramento, CACalifornia$452.99—

88121 rates by state

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

MEWIVTNHMTNDMNMINYMARIWAIDWYSDIAILINOHPANJCTORNVUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDECAAZNMKSOKARTNNCSCDCTXLAMSALGAFLAKHI

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.

$342.43

$492.03

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

View every state and territory as a table
88121 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$432.951
AL$348.251
AR$342.431
AZ$382.451
CA$428.27–$555.7829
CO$416.921
CT$422.431
DC$459.751
DE$389.511
FL$378.64–$410.593
GA$355.20–$399.922
GU$442.521
HI$442.521
IA$362.411
ID$364.311
IL$363.25–$404.774
IN$366.851
KS$358.601
KY$353.751
LA$352.37–$372.752
MA$413.11–$464.782
MD$398.33–$459.753
ME$364.51–$390.072
MI$362.67–$382.122
MN$403.291
MO$344.12–$376.533
MS$343.451
MT$393.791
NC$369.211
ND$393.001
NE$365.271
NH$408.381
NJ$428.33–$453.512
NM$364.211
NV$393.931
NY$375.41–$465.035
OH$362.511
OK$355.011
OR$391.96–$433.912
PA$364.23–$409.392
PR$397.731
RI$406.151
SC$366.261
SD$392.911
TN$360.441
TX$361.33–$414.578
UT$372.081
VA$387.29–$459.752
VI$397.731
VT$389.541
WA$412.97–$476.852
WI$377.761
WV$347.251
WY$393.451

See 88121 in every payment locality

How the 88121 rate is calculated

Each of 88121’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 · 88121

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.98

0.98 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense10.77

10.77 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.04

0.04 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

11.7900

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$393.80

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

The exact Los Angeles, CA inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

11,118

Code
88121
Physician work
0.98
Practice expense
10.77
Malpractice
0.04

GPCI2026.csv

13

Locality
Los Angeles, CA
Physician work
1.041
Practice expense
1.183
Malpractice
0.664
Office calculation for 88121 in Los Angeles, CA
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.98× 1.0411.0202
Practice expense10.77× 1.18312.7409
Malpractice0.04× 0.6640.0266
Total RVUs13.7876
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Los Angeles, CA$460.52

Office: (0.98 × 1.041 + 10.77 × 1.183 + 0.04 × 0.664) × $33.4009 = $460.52

Open 88121 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 88121

The CMS indicators that decide how 88121 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 88121

Urine FISH, computer-assisted, 3–5 probes

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

88121 without 26 · national office

$393.80

Urine FISH, computer-assisted, 3–5 probes

88121-26 · Professional component

$45.43

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

Codes related to 88121

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

Codes related to 88121
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Los Angeles, CA
Same family
88120Urine FISH, three to five probesUrinary in situ hybridization with three to five probes, using the corresponding service without computer assistance.$634.88
Used instead
88112Selective-enhancement cytology, nongynecologic specimensCell-enhanced cytology evaluates specimen morphology rather than probe-based molecular signals.$74.49
88104Fluid cytology, direct smear methodFluid or washing smear cytology is a morphologic examination, not computer-assisted in situ hybridization.$96.44
88106Fluid cytology, filter techniqueFilter-method cytology examines cells from fluids or washings rather than probe signals.$77.59

How 88121 has changed in Los Angeles, CA

88121 · Office / nonfacility

$460.52

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $3.55 lower than on 2025-10-01, moving from $464.07 to $460.52 (0.8%).

It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.

Base rate by release · bars start at $0 · select a bar to compare

One bar per available release, ordered by effective date. Missing rates remain gaps. These comparisons hold the code, setting and locality identifiers constant; they do not isolate which policy or input caused a change.

What changed, release by release

  1. January 1, 2026

    RVU26A

    $464.07changed to$460.52

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.00 changed to 0.98
    • Practice expense RVU 11.12 changed to 10.77
    • Work GPCI 1.042 changed to 1.041
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.194 changed to 1.183
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.690 changed to 0.664

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $494.26changed to$464.07

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 11.54 changed to 11.12

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $486.20changed to$494.26

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $497.54changed to$486.20

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 11.49 changed to 11.54
    • Malpractice RVU 0.03 changed to 0.04
    • Work GPCI 1.045 changed to 1.042
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.185 changed to 1.194
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.724 changed to 0.690

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $516.87changed to$497.54

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 11.80 changed to 11.49
    • Work GPCI 1.048 changed to 1.045
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.175 changed to 1.185
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.757 changed to 0.724

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $531.81changed to$516.87

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 12.06 changed to 11.80

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $524.52changed to$531.81

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 11.45 changed to 12.06
    • Work GPCI 1.047 changed to 1.048
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.176 changed to 1.175
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.725 changed to 0.757

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $569.52changed to$524.52

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 12.52 changed to 11.45
    • Work GPCI 1.046 changed to 1.047
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.177 changed to 1.176
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.694 changed to 0.725

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $632.45changed to$569.52

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 14.02 changed to 12.52

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $642.57changed to$632.45

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 14.40 changed to 14.02
    • Work GPCI 1.047 changed to 1.046
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.169 changed to 1.177
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.801 changed to 0.694

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $644.12changed to$642.57

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 14.57 changed to 14.40
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.161 changed to 1.169
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.801

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $642.27changed to$644.12

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 14.47 changed to 14.57

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $639.08changed to$642.27

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $615.05changed to$639.08

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 13.90 changed to 14.47
    • Malpractice RVU 0.04 changed to 0.03
    • Work GPCI 1.042 changed to 1.047
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.158 changed to 1.161
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.775 changed to 0.908

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $639.19changed to$615.05

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 15.36 changed to 13.90
    • Work GPCI 1.036 changed to 1.042
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.154 changed to 1.158
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.642 changed to 0.775

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. October 1, 2013

    RVU13D

    No ratechanged to$639.19

  17. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$460.52Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$460.52Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$460.52Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$460.52Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$464.07Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$464.07Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$464.07Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$464.07Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$494.26Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$494.26Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$494.26Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$494.26Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$486.20Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$497.54Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$497.54Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$497.54Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$497.54Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$516.87Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$516.87Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$516.87Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$516.87Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$531.81Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$531.81Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$531.81Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$531.81Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$524.52Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$524.52Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$524.52Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$524.52Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$569.52Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$569.52Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$569.52Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$569.52Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$632.45Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$632.45Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$632.45Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$632.45Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$642.57Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$642.57Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$642.57Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$642.57Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$644.12Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$644.12Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$644.12Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$644.12Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$642.27Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$642.27Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$639.08Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$639.08Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$615.05Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$615.05Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$615.05Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$615.05Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$639.19Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 88121 for an earlier date of service

Where the Los Angeles, CA rate applies

Los Angeles, CA is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 189 cities and communities in California. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Anaheim
  • Long Beach
  • Los Angeles
  • Orange
  • Acton
  • Agoura Hills
  • Agua Dulce
  • Alhambra

Browse all communities in California

88121 billing questions

How does 88121 differ from 88120?

Both involve urinary tract specimens and three to five probes. 88121 is the computer-assisted service; 88120 is the corresponding service without computer assistance.

How many units should be reported?

Report one unit for each specimen examined. The three-to-five-probe range describes the panel for the service, not the number of units.

Which modifiers identify the components?

Use modifier 26 for the professional interpretation and modifier TC for the technical service involving equipment and staff. Without either modifier, the claim represents the global service.

Can 88121 be reported with conventional urine cytology?

88121 represents molecular in situ hybridization, while conventional cytology evaluates cell morphology. Report both only when both distinct services were performed and documented.

What documentation supports reporting 88121?

Record the urinary tract specimen, the computer-assisted in situ hybridization method, the three-to-five-probe panel, and the professional interpretation when that component is billed.

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 88121PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 11,118 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Los Angeles, CAGPCI2026.csv, line 13 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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