CPT code 88121: Urine FISH, computer-assisted, 3–5 probes2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in South Carolina
Computer-assisted in situ hybridization evaluates urinary tract cells with three to five probes, typically supporting assessment or surveillance for urothelial carcinoma.
In South Carolina, Medicare pays $366.26 for 88121 in the office.
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.
On this page 11 sections
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 South Carolina 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. South Carolina pays $366.26. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- South Carolina · this page$366.26
- Los Angeles, CA · California$460.52+$94.26
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$459.75+$93.49
- Miami, FL · Florida$410.59+$44.33
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$397.55+$31.29
- Manhattan, NY · New York$454.95+$88.69
- Alaska · Alaska$432.95+$66.69
Other areas in South Carolina first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $348.25 | — |
| ArkansasArkansas | $342.43 | — |
| ArizonaArizona | $382.45 | — |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $428.43 | — |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $428.27 | — |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $428.27 | — |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $428.27 | — |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $428.27 | — |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $428.27 | — |
| 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 | — |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $451.39 | — |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $464.67 | — |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $543.67 | — |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $543.63 | — |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $555.78 | — |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $555.59 | — |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $443.74 | — |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $471.21 | — |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $453.81 | — |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $476.18 | — |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $428.27 | — |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $509.53 | — |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $428.27 | — |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $428.27 | — |
| ColoradoColorado | $416.92 | — |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $422.43 | — |
| DelawareDelaware | $389.51 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $399.55 | — |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $378.64 | — |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $399.92 | — |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $355.20 | — |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $442.52 | — |
| IowaIowa | $362.41 | — |
| IdahoIdaho | $364.31 | — |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $366.37 | — |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $363.25 | — |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $404.77 | — |
| IndianaIndiana | $366.85 | — |
| KansasKansas | $358.60 | — |
| KentuckyKentucky | $353.75 | — |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $372.75 | — |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $352.37 | — |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $464.78 | — |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $413.11 | — |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $420.90 | — |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $398.33 | — |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $364.51 | — |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $390.07 | — |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $382.12 | — |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $362.67 | — |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $403.29 | — |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $371.82 | — |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $376.53 | — |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $344.12 | — |
| MississippiMississippi | $343.45 | — |
| MontanaMontana | $393.79 | — |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $369.21 | — |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $393.00 | — |
| NebraskaNebraska | $365.27 | — |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $408.38 | — |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $453.51 | — |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $428.33 | — |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $364.21 | — |
| NevadaNevada | $393.93 | — |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $465.03 | — |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $429.72 | — |
| Queens, NYNew York | $461.95 | — |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $375.41 | — |
| OhioOhio | $362.51 | — |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $355.01 | — |
| Portland, OROregon | $433.91 | — |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $391.96 | — |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $409.39 | — |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $364.23 | — |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $397.73 | — |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $406.15 | — |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $392.91 | — |
| TennesseeTennessee | $360.44 | — |
| Austin, TXTexas | $414.57 | — |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $361.33 | — |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $390.53 | — |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $392.46 | — |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $388.88 | — |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $391.31 | — |
| Houston, TXTexas | $392.04 | — |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $375.32 | — |
| UtahUtah | $372.08 | — |
| VirginiaVirginia | $387.29 | — |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $397.73 | — |
| VermontVermont | $389.54 | — |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $412.97 | — |
| King County, WAWashington | $476.85 | — |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $377.76 | — |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $347.25 | — |
| WyomingWyoming | $393.45 | — |
88121 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.
$342.43
$492.03
Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.
View every state and territory as a table
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $432.95 | 1 |
| AL | $348.25 | 1 |
| AR | $342.43 | 1 |
| AZ | $382.45 | 1 |
| CA | $428.27–$555.78 | 29 |
| CO | $416.92 | 1 |
| CT | $422.43 | 1 |
| DC | $459.75 | 1 |
| DE | $389.51 | 1 |
| FL | $378.64–$410.59 | 3 |
| GA | $355.20–$399.92 | 2 |
| GU | $442.52 | 1 |
| HI | $442.52 | 1 |
| IA | $362.41 | 1 |
| ID | $364.31 | 1 |
| IL | $363.25–$404.77 | 4 |
| IN | $366.85 | 1 |
| KS | $358.60 | 1 |
| KY | $353.75 | 1 |
| LA | $352.37–$372.75 | 2 |
| MA | $413.11–$464.78 | 2 |
| MD | $398.33–$459.75 | 3 |
| ME | $364.51–$390.07 | 2 |
| MI | $362.67–$382.12 | 2 |
| MN | $403.29 | 1 |
| MO | $344.12–$376.53 | 3 |
| MS | $343.45 | 1 |
| MT | $393.79 | 1 |
| NC | $369.21 | 1 |
| ND | $393.00 | 1 |
| NE | $365.27 | 1 |
| NH | $408.38 | 1 |
| NJ | $428.33–$453.51 | 2 |
| NM | $364.21 | 1 |
| NV | $393.93 | 1 |
| NY | $375.41–$465.03 | 5 |
| OH | $362.51 | 1 |
| OK | $355.01 | 1 |
| OR | $391.96–$433.91 | 2 |
| PA | $364.23–$409.39 | 2 |
| PR | $397.73 | 1 |
| RI | $406.15 | 1 |
| SC | $366.26 | 1 |
| SD | $392.91 | 1 |
| TN | $360.44 | 1 |
| TX | $361.33–$414.57 | 8 |
| UT | $372.08 | 1 |
| VA | $387.29–$459.75 | 2 |
| VI | $397.73 | 1 |
| VT | $389.54 | 1 |
| WA | $412.97–$476.85 | 2 |
| WI | $377.76 | 1 |
| WV | $347.25 | 1 |
| WY | $393.45 | 1 |
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
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 South Carolina 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
93
- Locality
- South Carolina
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.924
- Malpractice
- 0.850
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.98 | × 1.000 | 0.9800 |
| Practice expense | 10.77 | × 0.924 | 9.9515 |
| Malpractice | 0.04 | × 0.850 | 0.0340 |
| Total RVUs | 10.9655 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, South Carolina$366.26
Office: (0.98 × 1 + 10.77 × 0.924 + 0.04 × 0.85) × $33.4009 = $366.26
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
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | XXX | The global surgery concept doesn’t apply. |
| Multiple procedures | 0 | No multiple-procedure reduction. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 0 | Not paid without supporting documentation. |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 1 | Diagnostic 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.
How 88121 has changed in South Carolina
88121 · Office / nonfacility
$366.26
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $4.46 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $361.80 to $366.26 (1.2%).
It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.
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
January 1, 2026
RVU26A
$361.80changed to$366.26
- 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
- Practice expense GPCI 0.913 changed to 0.924
- Malpractice GPCI 0.817 changed to 0.850
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$385.09changed to$361.80
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 11.54 changed to 11.12
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$378.81changed to$385.09
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$388.20changed to$378.81
- 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
- Practice expense GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.913
- Malpractice GPCI 0.756 changed to 0.817
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$404.07changed to$388.20
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 11.80 changed to 11.49
- Practice expense GPCI 0.903 changed to 0.908
- Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.756
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$415.61changed to$404.07
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 12.06 changed to 11.80
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$411.56changed to$415.61
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 11.45 changed to 12.06
- Practice expense GPCI 0.907 changed to 0.903
- Malpractice GPCI 0.624 changed to 0.695
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$448.14changed to$411.56
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 12.52 changed to 11.45
- Practice expense GPCI 0.912 changed to 0.907
- Malpractice GPCI 0.553 changed to 0.624
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$496.90changed to$448.14
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 14.02 changed to 12.52
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$507.89changed to$496.90
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Practice expense RVU 14.40 changed to 14.02
- Malpractice GPCI 0.634 changed to 0.553
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
$512.33changed to$507.89
- Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
- Practice expense RVU 14.57 changed to 14.40
- Malpractice GPCI 0.715 changed to 0.634
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
$510.91changed to$512.33
- Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
- Practice expense RVU 14.47 changed to 14.57
Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
July 1, 2015
RVU15C
$508.36changed to$510.91
- Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335
Held through RVU15D.
January 1, 2015
RVU15A
$490.33changed to$508.36
- 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
- Practice expense GPCI 0.911 changed to 0.912
- Malpractice GPCI 0.618 changed to 0.715
Held through RVU15B.
January 1, 2014
RVU14A
$509.77changed to$490.33
- Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
- Practice expense RVU 15.36 changed to 13.90
- Practice expense GPCI 0.909 changed to 0.911
- Malpractice GPCI 0.520 changed to 0.618
Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: $509.77
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $366.26 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $366.26 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $366.26 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $366.26 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $361.80 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $361.80 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $361.80 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $361.80 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $385.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $385.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $385.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $385.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $378.81 | Not available in this setting | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $388.20 | Not available in this setting | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $388.20 | Not available in this setting | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $388.20 | Not available in this setting | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $388.20 | Not available in this setting | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $404.07 | Not available in this setting | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $404.07 | Not available in this setting | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $404.07 | Not available in this setting | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $404.07 | Not available in this setting | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $415.61 | Not available in this setting | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $415.61 | Not available in this setting | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $415.61 | Not available in this setting | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $415.61 | Not available in this setting | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $411.56 | Not available in this setting | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $411.56 | Not available in this setting | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $411.56 | Not available in this setting | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $411.56 | Not available in this setting | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $448.14 | Not available in this setting | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $448.14 | Not available in this setting | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $448.14 | Not available in this setting | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $448.14 | Not available in this setting | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $496.90 | Not available in this setting | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $496.90 | Not available in this setting | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $496.90 | Not available in this setting | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $496.90 | Not available in this setting | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $507.89 | Not available in this setting | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $507.89 | Not available in this setting | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $507.89 | Not available in this setting | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $507.89 | Not available in this setting | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | $512.33 | Not available in this setting | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $512.33 | Not available in this setting | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $512.33 | Not available in this setting | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $512.33 | Not available in this setting | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | $510.91 | Not available in this setting | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | $510.91 | Not available in this setting | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | $508.36 | Not available in this setting | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | $508.36 | Not available in this setting | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | $490.33 | Not available in this setting | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | $490.33 | Not available in this setting | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | $490.33 | Not available in this setting | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | $490.33 | Not available in this setting | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | $509.77 | Not available in this setting | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | $509.77 | Not available in this setting | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | $509.77 | Not available in this setting | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | $509.77 | Not available in this setting | RVU13AR |
Where the South Carolina rate applies
South Carolina is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 475 cities and communities in South Carolina. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Abbeville
- Abney Crossroads
- Adams Run
- Aiken
- Alcolu
- Allendale
- Anderson
- Andrews
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
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