CPT code 88182: Cell marker study, limited analysis2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Florida
Reports a limited cell-marker analysis, such as DNA ploidy, cell-cycle analysis, or immunocytochemistry, on a specimen submitted for diagnostic evaluation.
Medicare pays $144.61–$157.03 for 88182 in the office in Florida, from Rest of Florida to Miami, FL. Which amount applies depends on the service address.
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
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On this page 9 sections
What 88182 covers
This service covers a limited analysis of cells using markers or related measurements, including DNA ploidy, cell-cycle analysis, or immunocytochemistry. It is performed in a pathology or cytology laboratory, with laboratory staff and equipment supporting the technical work and a pathologist or other qualified professional interpreting the findings. It may be used to characterize tumor cells or other diagnostically relevant cells in a submitted specimen.
Report the service for each specimen that receives the limited study, rather than counting individual markers as separate units. Documentation should identify the specimen, the type and purpose of the analysis, and the resulting interpretation. CMS recognizes separate professional and technical components: modifier 26 identifies interpretation, modifier TC identifies the equipment and staff portion, and reporting without either modifier represents the global service. The professional and technical components are separately priced when billed with their respective modifiers.
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 88182 pays more and less in Florida
The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.
3 payment localities
$144.61 to $157.03
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Lauderdale, FL | $152.17 | Unavailable |
| Miami, FL | $157.03 | Unavailable |
| Rest of Florida | $144.61 | Unavailable |
How the 88182 rate is calculated
Each of 88182’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 · 88182
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.75
0.75 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense3.65
3.65 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.06
0.06 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
4.4600
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$148.97
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 88182
The CMS indicators that decide how 88182 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 88182
Cell marker study, limited analysis
| 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
88182 without 26 · national office
$148.97
Cell marker study, limited analysis
88182-26 · Professional component
$35.07
Pays only the interpretation and report.
88182 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 88184Flow cytometryFirst marker, technical component
- 88182 describes a limited cell-marker analysis, such as DNA ploidy or immunocytochemistry. 88184 is the technical component for the first marker in a flow cytometry study.
- 88187Flow cytometry2–8 marker interpretation
- 88187 is the professional interpretation and report for flow cytometry with 2–8 markers. 88182 describes a limited cell-marker study, not a marker-count tier for flow cytometry.
- 88188Flow cytometry9–15 markers
- 88188 reports flow cytometry interpretation for 9–15 markers; 88182 is used for a limited cell-marker analysis such as cell-cycle analysis or immunocytochemistry.
88182 billing questions
When should 88182 be chosen instead of a flow cytometry code?
Use 88182 for a limited cell-marker study such as DNA ploidy, cell-cycle analysis, or immunocytochemistry. Flow cytometry procedures are reported with codes specific to their technical marker work and interpretation.
How many units should be reported?
Report one unit for each specimen receiving the limited study. Do not use the number of markers as the unit count.
Can the professional and technical portions be billed separately?
Yes. Modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, and modifier TC identifies the technical work. Without either modifier, the claim represents the global service.
What documentation supports 88182?
Document the specimen, the limited study performed, its diagnostic purpose, and the interpretation. The record should make clear that the work was a limited cell-marker analysis rather than flow cytometry marker testing.
Is 88182 reported once per marker?
No. For this code, the unit is the specimen receiving the limited analysis, not each marker assessed.
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.
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