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CPT code 88177: FNA adequacy, each additional evaluation2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in New Mexico

Reports an additional immediate adequacy evaluation of fine-needle aspirate material from the same site during a diagnostic sampling encounter.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality56.3K Medicare services in 2024

In New Mexico, Medicare pays $27.88 for 88177 in the office.

$27.88Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
−4.1%vs the national office rate ($29.06)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 88177 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 88177 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in New Mexico
  2. What 88177 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 88177 covers

A cytopathology team uses this service when additional material from a fine-needle aspiration (FNA) needs another immediate adequacy check at the same site. For example, during thyroid nodule or lymph node sampling, a pathologist or cytotechnologist may assess prepared material while the clinician is still collecting specimens. The evaluation helps determine whether the sample is sufficient for diagnostic work; it is not the final interpretation and report of the aspirate.

Report 88177 only as an add-on with the first evaluation code, 88172, for an additional evaluation episode at that same site. Documentation should identify the site, distinguish the additional episode from the first, and record the adequacy finding. The code is paid within the primary procedure’s global period. It has professional and technical components: modifier 26 identifies interpretation, modifier TC identifies the technical service, and no 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 New Mexico compares for 88177

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 88177 runs from $26.78 in Arkansas to $37.05 in San Benito County, CA. New Mexico pays $27.88. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

88177 in New Mexico vs other payment areas
  1. New Mexico · this page$27.88
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$32.26+$4.38
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$32.51+$4.63
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$30.19+$2.31
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$29.66+$1.78
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$32.57+$4.69
  7. Alaska · Alaska$36.73+$8.85

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

Every other payment area

88177 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$27.04—
ArkansasArkansas$26.78—
ArizonaArizona$28.54—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$30.63—
Chico, CACalifornia$30.58—
El Centro, CACalifornia$30.58—
Fresno, CACalifornia$30.58—
Hanford, CACalifornia$30.58—

88177 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.

$26.78

$36.73

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

View every state and territory as a table
88177 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$36.731
AL$27.041
AR$26.781
AZ$28.541
CA$30.58–$37.0529
CO$30.111
CT$30.561
DC$32.511
DE$28.911
FL$28.57–$30.193
GA$27.50–$29.412
GU$30.981
HI$30.981
IA$27.581
ID$27.681
IL$27.94–$29.824
IN$27.791
KS$27.451
KY$27.361
LA$27.32–$28.222
MA$30.01–$32.502
MD$29.35–$32.513
ME$27.73–$28.802
MI$27.79–$28.762
MN$29.261
MO$26.98–$28.343
MS$26.881
MT$29.061
NC$27.931
ND$28.861
NE$27.691
NH$29.631
NJ$31.02–$32.352
NM$27.881
NV$29.021
NY$28.21–$33.065
OH$27.751
OK$27.381
OR$28.90–$30.862
PA$27.81–$29.992
PR$29.221
RI$29.781
SC$27.871
SD$28.841
TN$27.541
TX$27.68–$29.928
UT$28.121
VA$28.71–$32.512
VI$29.221
VT$28.741
WA$29.95–$33.092
WI$28.201
WV$27.231
WY$28.971

See 88177 in every payment locality

How the 88177 rate is calculated

Each of 88177’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 · 88177

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.41

0.41 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense0.45

0.45 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.01

0.01 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

0.8700

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$29.06

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

The exact New Mexico inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

11,156

Code
88177
Physician work
0.41
Practice expense
0.45
Malpractice
0.01

GPCI2026.csv

77

Locality
New Mexico
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.917
Malpractice
1.201
Office calculation for 88177 in New Mexico
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.41× 1.0000.4100
Practice expense0.45× 0.9170.4127
Malpractice0.01× 1.2010.0120
Total RVUs0.8347
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, New Mexico$27.88

Office: (0.41 × 1 + 0.45 × 0.917 + 0.01 × 1.201) × $33.4009 = $27.88

Open 88177 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 88177

The CMS indicators that decide how 88177 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 88177

FNA adequacy, each additional evaluation

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global periodZZZAdd-on code: falls within the primary procedure’s global period.
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

88177 without 26 · national office

$29.06

FNA adequacy, each additional evaluation

88177-26 · Professional component

$20.37

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

Codes related to 88177

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

Codes related to 88177
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, New Mexico
Primary code
88172FNA adequacy, first sitePrimary code for the first immediate adequacy evaluation at the site.$51.67
Often billed with
88173FNA cytology, final interpretation and reportFinal diagnostic interpretation and report may accompany immediate adequacy evaluations.$157.08
10005Ultrasound-guided FNA, first lesionUltrasound-guided FNA sampling may occur in the same encounter.$126.84
10021Fine needle aspiration, first lesion, no imagingFNA sampling without imaging guidance may occur in the same encounter.$96.60

How 88177 has changed in New Mexico

88177 · Office / nonfacility

$27.88

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $0.40 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $27.48 to $27.88 (1.5%).

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

    $27.48changed to$27.88

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.42 changed to 0.41
    • Practice expense RVU 0.46 changed to 0.45
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.917
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.172 changed to 1.201

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $27.97changed to$27.48

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 0.45 changed to 0.46

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $27.52changed to$27.97

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $28.08changed to$27.52

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 0.44 changed to 0.45
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.902 changed to 0.908
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.169 changed to 1.172

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $27.65changed to$28.08

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 0.41 changed to 0.44
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.896 changed to 0.902
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.166 changed to 1.169

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $27.88changed to$27.65

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $29.03changed to$27.88

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.896
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.207 changed to 1.166

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $29.19changed to$29.03

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.921 changed to 0.908
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.247 changed to 1.207

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $30.16changed to$29.19

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 0.44 changed to 0.41

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $29.70changed to$30.16

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 0.43 changed to 0.44
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.920 changed to 0.921
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.204 changed to 1.247

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $29.60changed to$29.70

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.919 changed to 0.920
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.161 changed to 1.204

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $29.80changed to$29.60

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 0.42 changed to 0.43
    • Malpractice RVU 0.02 changed to 0.01

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $29.65changed to$29.80

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $28.64changed to$29.65

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 0.39 changed to 0.42
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.918 changed to 0.919
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.079 changed to 1.161

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $28.37changed to$28.64

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 0.43 changed to 0.39
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.916 changed to 0.918
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.997 changed to 1.079

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $28.37

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$27.88Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$27.88Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$27.88Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$27.88Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$27.48Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$27.48Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$27.48Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$27.48Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$27.97Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$27.97Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$27.97Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$27.97Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$27.52Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$28.08Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$28.08Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$28.08Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$28.08Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$27.65Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$27.65Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$27.65Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$27.65Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$27.88Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$27.88Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$27.88Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$27.88Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$29.03Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$29.03Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$29.03Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$29.03Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$29.19Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$29.19Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$29.19Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$29.19Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$30.16Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$30.16Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$30.16Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$30.16Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$29.70Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$29.70Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$29.70Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$29.70Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$29.60Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$29.60Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$29.60Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$29.60Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$29.80Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$29.80Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$29.65Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$29.65Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$28.64Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$28.64Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$28.64Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$28.64Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$28.37Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$28.37Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$28.37Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$28.37Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 88177 for an earlier date of service

Where the New Mexico rate applies

New Mexico is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 528 cities and communities in New Mexico. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Abeytas
  • Abiquiu
  • Acomita Lake
  • Adelino
  • Agua Fria
  • Alamillo
  • Alamo
  • Alamogordo

Browse all communities in New Mexico

88177 billing questions

When should 88177 be reported instead of 88172?

Use 88172 for the first immediate adequacy evaluation at a site. Report 88177 for each additional evaluation episode at that same site.

Does each needle pass count as a unit?

The code represents an additional evaluation episode, not automatically each needle pass. Document the additional adequacy evaluation rather than relying on the number of passes alone.

Can 88177 be reported without 88172?

No. It is an add-on code and must be reported with the primary evaluation code, 88172.

How does 88177 differ from 88173?

88177 covers an additional immediate check of specimen adequacy during FNA sampling. 88173 represents the diagnostic interpretation and report.

Which modifier identifies the pathologist's interpretation?

Modifier 26 identifies the professional component. Modifier TC identifies the technical component; reporting without either modifier represents the global service.

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 88177PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 11,156 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for New MexicoGPCI2026.csv, line 77 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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