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CPT code 88173: FNA cytology, final interpretation and report2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Delaware

Reports the pathologist’s diagnostic interpretation of cells obtained by fine needle aspiration, such as an aspirate from a thyroid nodule or lymph node.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality359.8K Medicare services in 2024

In Delaware, Medicare pays $165.29 for 88173 in the office.

$165.29Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
−0.8%vs the national office rate ($166.67)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 88173 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 88173 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Delaware
  2. What 88173 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 88173 covers

A pathologist or cytopathologist examines cells collected by fine needle aspiration and issues a diagnostic interpretation and report. Common specimens come from thyroid nodules, lymph nodes, breast masses, salivary glands, and other palpable or image-guided targets. The procedure clinician obtains the aspirate; this service concerns the cytologic evaluation, not the needle placement itself or an immediate check that the sample is adequate.

Report 88173 for the diagnostic interpretation and report of the FNA material. Documentation should identify the specimen and site and support the pathologist’s review and conclusions. When the service is split, modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation and report, while TC identifies the technical work, including equipment and staff. Billing without either modifier represents the global service, combining the professional and technical components.

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 Delaware compares for 88173

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 88173 runs from $149.00 in Arkansas to $223.74 in San Benito County, CA. Delaware pays $165.29. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

88173 in Delaware vs other payment areas
  1. Delaware · this page$165.29
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$189.85+$24.56
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$190.60+$25.31
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$174.13+$8.84
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$169.75+$4.46
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$189.93+$24.64
  7. Alaska · Alaska$196.41+$31.12

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

Every other payment area

88173 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$151.00—
ArkansasArkansas$149.00—
ArizonaArizona$162.72—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$178.36—
Chico, CACalifornia$178.15—
El Centro, CACalifornia$178.16—
Fresno, CACalifornia$178.15—
Hanford, CACalifornia$178.15—

88173 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.

$149.00

$200.95

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

View every state and territory as a table
88173 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$196.411
AL$151.001
AR$149.001
AZ$162.721
CA$178.15–$223.7429
CO$174.501
CT$177.141
DC$190.601
DE$165.291
FL$162.25–$174.133
GA$154.08–$169.062
GU$182.351
HI$182.351
IA$155.501
ID$156.221
IL$157.21–$171.514
IN$157.081
KS$154.361
KY$153.261
LA$152.85–$159.842
MA$173.40–$191.552
MD$168.42–$190.603
ME$156.47–$164.982
MI$156.48–$163.632
MN$168.961
MO$150.13–$160.933
MS$149.611
MT$166.671
NC$158.061
ND$165.681
NE$156.421
NH$171.361
NJ$179.65–$188.782
NM$157.081
NV$166.511
NY$160.20–$193.615
OH$156.281
OK$153.501
OR$165.70–$180.242
PA$156.77–$172.712
PR$167.961
RI$171.301
SC$157.331
SD$165.561
TN$155.021
TX$155.79–$173.518
UT$159.331
VA$164.15–$190.602
VI$167.961
VT$164.651
WA$173.20–$195.782
WI$160.491
WV$151.731
WY$166.241

See 88173 in every payment locality

How the 88173 rate is calculated

Each of 88173’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 · 88173

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.36

1.36 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense3.58

3.58 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.05

0.05 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

4.9900

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$166.67

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

The exact Delaware inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

11,151

Code
88173
Physician work
1.36
Practice expense
3.58
Malpractice
0.05

GPCI2026.csv

40

Locality
Delaware
Physician work
1.005
Practice expense
0.988
Malpractice
0.899
Office calculation for 88173 in Delaware
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.36× 1.0051.3668
Practice expense3.58× 0.9883.5370
Malpractice0.05× 0.8990.0450
Total RVUs4.9488
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Delaware$165.29

Office: (1.36 × 1.005 + 3.58 × 0.988 + 0.05 × 0.899) × $33.4009 = $165.29

Open 88173 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 88173

The CMS indicators that decide how 88173 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 88173

FNA cytology, final interpretation and report

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

88173 without 26 · national office

$166.67

FNA cytology, final interpretation and report

88173-26 · Professional component

$65.47

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

Codes related to 88173

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

Codes related to 88173
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Delaware
Often billed with
88172FNA adequacy, first siteMay accompany the final interpretation when an immediate adequacy assessment is performed during the FNA.$53.78
Same family
88177FNA adequacy, each additional evaluationCovers an additional immediate adequacy evaluation episode at the same site.$28.91
Used instead
88160Cytology smear, other source, screening and interpretationFor cytologic evaluation of smears from other sources, rather than fine needle aspirate material.$80.71

How 88173 has changed in Delaware

88173 · Office / nonfacility

$165.29

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $0.32 lower than on 2025-10-01, moving from $165.61 to $165.29 (0.2%).

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

    $165.61changed to$165.29

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.39 changed to 1.36
    • Practice expense RVU 3.69 changed to 3.58
    • Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.05
    • Work GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.005
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.992 changed to 0.988
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.949 changed to 0.899

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $166.48changed to$165.61

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 3.58 changed to 3.69
    • Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.06

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $163.76changed to$166.48

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $164.00changed to$163.76

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 3.36 changed to 3.58
    • Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.05
    • Work GPCI 1.007 changed to 1.009
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.007 changed to 0.992
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.938 changed to 0.949

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $161.96changed to$164.00

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 3.14 changed to 3.36
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.06
    • Work GPCI 1.005 changed to 1.007
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.022 changed to 1.007
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.938

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $159.09changed to$161.96

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 3.04 changed to 3.14
    • Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.08

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $159.91changed to$159.09

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 2.92 changed to 3.04
    • Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.06
    • Work GPCI 1.006 changed to 1.005
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.021 changed to 1.022
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.023 changed to 0.927

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $158.23changed to$159.91

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 2.88 changed to 2.92
    • Work GPCI 1.007 changed to 1.006
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.019 changed to 1.021
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.119 changed to 1.023

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $160.62changed to$158.23

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 2.95 changed to 2.88

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $159.04changed to$160.62

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 2.90 changed to 2.95
    • Work GPCI 1.010 changed to 1.007
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.025 changed to 1.019
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.101 changed to 1.119

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $159.36changed to$159.04

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Work GPCI 1.012 changed to 1.010
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.031 changed to 1.025
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.083 changed to 1.101

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $156.19changed to$159.36

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 2.82 changed to 2.90
    • Malpractice RVU 0.03 changed to 0.05

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $155.41changed to$156.19

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $150.87changed to$155.41

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 2.66 changed to 2.82
    • Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.03
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.038 changed to 1.031
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.878 changed to 1.083

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $154.50changed to$150.87

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 2.97 changed to 2.66
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.044 changed to 1.038
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.672 changed to 0.878

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $154.50

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$165.29Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$165.29Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$165.29Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$165.29Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$165.61Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$165.61Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$165.61Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$165.61Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$166.48Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$166.48Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$166.48Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$166.48Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$163.76Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$164.00Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$164.00Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$164.00Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$164.00Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$161.96Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$161.96Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$161.96Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$161.96Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$159.09Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$159.09Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$159.09Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$159.09Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$159.91Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$159.91Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$159.91Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$159.91Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$158.23Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$158.23Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$158.23Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$158.23Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$160.62Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$160.62Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$160.62Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$160.62Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$159.04Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$159.04Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$159.04Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$159.04Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$159.36Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$159.36Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$159.36Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$159.36Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$156.19Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$156.19Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$155.41Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$155.41Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$150.87Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$150.87Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$150.87Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$150.87Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$154.50Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$154.50Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$154.50Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$154.50Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 88173 for an earlier date of service

Where the Delaware rate applies

Delaware is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 79 cities and communities in Delaware. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Arden
  • Ardencroft
  • Ardentown
  • Bear
  • Bellefonte
  • Bethany Beach
  • Bethel
  • Blades

Browse all communities in Delaware

88173 billing questions

How is 88173 different from 88172?

88173 is the diagnostic interpretation and report of the aspirate. 88172 describes an immediate assessment during the procedure to determine whether the specimen is adequate.

Can 88172 and 88173 be reported for the same FNA?

They may both be reported when an immediate adequacy assessment is performed during the procedure and the aspirate also receives a diagnostic interpretation and report.

When should modifier 26 or TC be used?

Use modifier 26 for the professional interpretation and report, or TC for the technical component. Without either modifier, 88173 represents the global service.

Does 88173 describe the FNA procedure itself?

No. It describes cytologic evaluation of the aspirated material; it does not describe obtaining the sample with a needle.

What documentation supports reporting 88173?

The record should identify the FNA specimen and site and include the pathologist’s diagnostic interpretation and report.

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 88173PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 11,151 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for DelawareGPCI2026.csv, line 40 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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