CPT code 88185: Flow cytometry add-on, technical work, each additional marker2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Connecticut
Report the laboratory's technical work for each flow cytometry marker beyond the first on a specimen, together with first-marker code 88184.
In Connecticut, Medicare pays $24.82 for 88185 in the office.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 88185 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 88185 covers
This code covers the laboratory work for each additional cell surface, cytoplasmic, or nuclear marker after the first in a flow cytometry study. That work includes preparing and staining cells, acquiring instrument data, and processing the results for review. A common use is immunophenotyping peripheral blood, bone marrow aspirate, lymph node, or body fluid specimens when a hematolymphoid disorder is suspected or monitored. Hospital and independent laboratories perform this technical work; a pathologist or hematopathologist may separately interpret the study.
Report one unit of 88185 for each marker beyond the first on a specimen, with 88184 for its first marker. Record the markers tested for each specimen to support the technical units. CMS treats 88185 as an add-on billed with its primary procedure and paid within that procedure's global period. It is technical-component-only, so do not append modifier 26 or TC. When separately reported, interpretation uses 88187, 88188, or 88189 according to the number of markers interpreted; the report should support that tier.
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 Connecticut compares for 88185
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 88185 runs from $19.80 in Arkansas to $33.23 in Santa Clara County, CA. Connecticut pays $24.82. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Connecticut · this page$24.82
- Los Angeles, CA · California$27.26+$2.44
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$27.15+$2.33
- Miami, FL · Florida$23.99−$0.83
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$23.16−$1.66
- Manhattan, NY · New York$26.78+$1.96
- Alaska · Alaska$24.54−$0.28
Other areas in Connecticut first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $20.17 | — |
| ArkansasArkansas | $19.80 | — |
| ArizonaArizona | $22.33 | — |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $25.26 | — |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $25.26 | — |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $25.26 | — |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $25.26 | — |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $25.26 | — |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $25.26 | — |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $25.26 | — |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $25.26 | — |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $30.38 | — |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $27.24 | — |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $25.26 | — |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $25.26 | — |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $25.26 | — |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $26.80 | — |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $26.71 | — |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $27.56 | — |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $32.50 | — |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $32.50 | — |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $33.23 | — |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $33.23 | — |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $26.25 | — |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $28.00 | — |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $26.87 | — |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $28.30 | — |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $25.26 | — |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $30.38 | — |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $25.26 | — |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $25.26 | — |
| ColoradoColorado | $24.52 | — |
| DelawareDelaware | $22.77 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $23.35 | — |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $22.03 | — |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $23.42 | — |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $20.56 | — |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $26.20 | — |
| IowaIowa | $21.09 | — |
| IdahoIdaho | $21.20 | — |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $21.20 | — |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $21.04 | — |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $23.67 | — |
| IndianaIndiana | $21.36 | — |
| KansasKansas | $20.83 | — |
| KentuckyKentucky | $20.49 | — |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $21.69 | — |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $20.40 | — |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $27.52 | — |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $24.27 | — |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $24.73 | — |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $23.32 | — |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $21.20 | — |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $22.84 | — |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $22.24 | — |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $21.04 | — |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $23.71 | — |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $21.64 | — |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $21.94 | — |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $19.87 | — |
| MississippiMississippi | $19.84 | — |
| MontanaMontana | $23.05 | — |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $21.50 | — |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $23.05 | — |
| NebraskaNebraska | $21.27 | — |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $23.99 | — |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $26.73 | — |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $25.17 | — |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $21.13 | — |
| NevadaNevada | $23.07 | — |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $27.40 | — |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $25.24 | — |
| Queens, NYNew York | $27.24 | — |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $21.89 | — |
| OhioOhio | $21.04 | — |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $20.58 | — |
| Portland, OROregon | $25.60 | — |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $22.95 | — |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $23.99 | — |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $21.16 | — |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $23.30 | — |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $23.81 | — |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $21.30 | — |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $23.05 | — |
| TennesseeTennessee | $20.95 | — |
| Austin, TXTexas | $24.38 | — |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $20.97 | — |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $22.84 | — |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $22.95 | — |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $22.72 | — |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $22.89 | — |
| Houston, TXTexas | $22.89 | — |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $21.87 | — |
| UtahUtah | $21.66 | — |
| VirginiaVirginia | $22.65 | — |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $23.30 | — |
| VermontVermont | $22.82 | — |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $24.27 | — |
| King County, WAWashington | $28.28 | — |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $22.08 | — |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $20.03 | — |
| WyomingWyoming | $23.05 | — |
88185 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.
$19.80
$29.24
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 | $24.54 | 1 |
| AL | $20.17 | 1 |
| AR | $19.80 | 1 |
| AZ | $22.33 | 1 |
| CA | $25.26–$33.23 | 29 |
| CO | $24.52 | 1 |
| CT | $24.82 | 1 |
| DC | $27.15 | 1 |
| DE | $22.77 | 1 |
| FL | $22.03–$23.99 | 3 |
| GA | $20.56–$23.42 | 2 |
| GU | $26.20 | 1 |
| HI | $26.20 | 1 |
| IA | $21.09 | 1 |
| ID | $21.20 | 1 |
| IL | $21.04–$23.67 | 4 |
| IN | $21.36 | 1 |
| KS | $20.83 | 1 |
| KY | $20.49 | 1 |
| LA | $20.40–$21.69 | 2 |
| MA | $24.27–$27.52 | 2 |
| MD | $23.32–$27.15 | 3 |
| ME | $21.20–$22.84 | 2 |
| MI | $21.04–$22.24 | 2 |
| MN | $23.71 | 1 |
| MO | $19.87–$21.94 | 3 |
| MS | $19.84 | 1 |
| MT | $23.05 | 1 |
| NC | $21.50 | 1 |
| ND | $23.05 | 1 |
| NE | $21.27 | 1 |
| NH | $23.99 | 1 |
| NJ | $25.17–$26.73 | 2 |
| NM | $21.13 | 1 |
| NV | $23.07 | 1 |
| NY | $21.89–$27.40 | 5 |
| OH | $21.04 | 1 |
| OK | $20.58 | 1 |
| OR | $22.95–$25.60 | 2 |
| PA | $21.16–$23.99 | 2 |
| PR | $23.30 | 1 |
| RI | $23.81 | 1 |
| SC | $21.30 | 1 |
| SD | $23.05 | 1 |
| TN | $20.95 | 1 |
| TX | $20.97–$24.38 | 8 |
| UT | $21.66 | 1 |
| VA | $22.65–$27.15 | 2 |
| VI | $23.30 | 1 |
| VT | $22.82 | 1 |
| WA | $24.27–$28.28 | 2 |
| WI | $22.08 | 1 |
| WV | $20.03 | 1 |
| WY | $23.05 | 1 |
How the 88185 rate is calculated
Each of 88185’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 · 88185
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.00
0.00 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense0.69
0.69 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.00
0.00 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
0.6900
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$23.05
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact Connecticut inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
11,163
- Code
- 88185
- Physician work
- 0.00
- Practice expense
- 0.69
- Malpractice
- 0.00
GPCI2026.csv
38
- Locality
- Connecticut
- Physician work
- 1.020
- Practice expense
- 1.077
- Malpractice
- 1.210
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.00 | × 1.020 | 0.0000 |
| Practice expense | 0.69 | × 1.077 | 0.7431 |
| Malpractice | 0.00 | × 1.210 | 0.0000 |
| Total RVUs | 0.7431 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Connecticut$24.82
Office: (0 × 1.02 + 0.69 × 1.077 + 0 × 1.21) × $33.4009 = $24.82
Payment rules and modifiers for 88185
The CMS indicators that decide how 88185 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 88185
Flow cytometry add-on, technical work, each additional marker
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | ZZZ | Add-on code: falls within the primary procedure’s global period. |
| 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 | 3 | Technical component only. |
How 88185 has changed in Connecticut
88185 · Office / nonfacility
$24.82
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $0.82 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $24.00 to $24.82 (3.4%).
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
$24.00changed to$24.82
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Practice expense RVU 0.68 changed to 0.69
- Work GPCI 1.022 changed to 1.020
- Practice expense GPCI 1.091 changed to 1.077
- Malpractice GPCI 1.207 changed to 1.210
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$25.78changed to$24.00
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 0.71 changed to 0.68
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$25.36changed to$25.78
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$26.51changed to$25.36
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Work GPCI 1.030 changed to 1.022
- Practice expense GPCI 1.102 changed to 1.091
- Malpractice GPCI 1.070 changed to 1.207
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$24.67changed to$26.51
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 0.64 changed to 0.71
- Work GPCI 1.037 changed to 1.030
- Practice expense GPCI 1.114 changed to 1.102
- Malpractice GPCI 0.934 changed to 1.070
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$25.65changed to$24.67
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 0.66 changed to 0.64
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$24.90changed to$25.65
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 0.62 changed to 0.66
- Work GPCI 1.029 changed to 1.037
- Practice expense GPCI 1.113 changed to 1.114
- Malpractice GPCI 1.094 changed to 0.934
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$27.65changed to$24.90
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 0.69 changed to 0.62
- Work GPCI 1.021 changed to 1.029
- Practice expense GPCI 1.112 changed to 1.113
- Malpractice GPCI 1.255 changed to 1.094
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$34.03changed to$27.65
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 0.85 changed to 0.69
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$42.09changed to$34.03
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Practice expense RVU 1.05 changed to 0.85
- Work GPCI 1.023 changed to 1.021
- Practice expense GPCI 1.117 changed to 1.112
- Malpractice GPCI 1.244 changed to 1.255
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
$52.18changed to$42.09
- Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
- Practice expense RVU 1.30 changed to 1.05
- Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.023
- Practice expense GPCI 1.121 changed to 1.117
- Malpractice GPCI 1.232 changed to 1.244
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
$64.49changed to$52.18
- Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
- Practice expense RVU 1.59 changed to 1.30
- Malpractice RVU 0.01 changed to 0.00
Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
July 1, 2015
RVU15C
$64.17changed to$64.49
- Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335
Held through RVU15D.
January 1, 2015
RVU15A
$60.01changed to$64.17
- Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
- Practice expense RVU 1.49 changed to 1.59
- Practice expense GPCI 1.116 changed to 1.121
- Malpractice GPCI 1.234 changed to 1.232
Held through RVU15B.
January 1, 2014
RVU14A
$60.09changed to$60.01
- Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
- Practice expense RVU 1.58 changed to 1.49
- Practice expense GPCI 1.110 changed to 1.116
- Malpractice GPCI 1.235 changed to 1.234
Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: $60.09
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $24.82 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $24.82 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $24.82 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $24.82 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $24.00 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $24.00 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $24.00 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $24.00 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $25.78 | Not available in this setting | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $25.78 | Not available in this setting | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $25.78 | Not available in this setting | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $25.78 | Not available in this setting | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $25.36 | Not available in this setting | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $26.51 | Not available in this setting | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $26.51 | Not available in this setting | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $26.51 | Not available in this setting | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $26.51 | Not available in this setting | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $24.67 | Not available in this setting | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $24.67 | Not available in this setting | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $24.67 | Not available in this setting | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $24.67 | Not available in this setting | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $25.65 | Not available in this setting | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $25.65 | Not available in this setting | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $25.65 | Not available in this setting | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $25.65 | Not available in this setting | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $24.90 | Not available in this setting | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $24.90 | Not available in this setting | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $24.90 | Not available in this setting | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $24.90 | Not available in this setting | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $27.65 | Not available in this setting | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $27.65 | Not available in this setting | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $27.65 | Not available in this setting | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $27.65 | Not available in this setting | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $34.03 | Not available in this setting | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $34.03 | Not available in this setting | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $34.03 | Not available in this setting | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $34.03 | Not available in this setting | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $42.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $42.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $42.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $42.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | $52.18 | Not available in this setting | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $52.18 | Not available in this setting | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $52.18 | Not available in this setting | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $52.18 | Not available in this setting | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | $64.49 | Not available in this setting | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | $64.49 | Not available in this setting | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | $64.17 | Not available in this setting | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | $64.17 | Not available in this setting | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | $60.01 | Not available in this setting | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | $60.01 | Not available in this setting | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | $60.01 | Not available in this setting | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | $60.01 | Not available in this setting | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | $60.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | $60.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | $60.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | $60.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU13AR |
Where the Connecticut rate applies
Connecticut is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 215 cities and communities in Connecticut. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Ansonia
- Ball Pond
- Baltic
- Bantam
- Bethel
- Bethlehem Village
- Bigelow Corners
- Blue Hills
88185 billing questions
How many units of 88185 are reported for a 10-marker panel?
For one specimen, report 88184 once and nine units of 88185. If all 10 markers are interpreted, the interpretation falls in the 9-to-15-marker tier, 88188.
Can 88185 be reported without 88184?
No. Report this add-on with 88184, the primary technical code for the first marker on the specimen.
Does 88185 take modifier 26 or TC?
No. 88185 is already a technical-component-only code. A separately reported interpretation uses the applicable code from 88187 through 88189.
How are markers counted when two specimens are tested?
Count markers separately for each specimen. Report 88184 for the first marker on each specimen and 88185 units for that specimen's additional markers.
Who bills 88185 versus the interpretation code?
The laboratory performing the technical work bills 88184 and 88185. The pathologist or hematopathologist who interprets the data and issues a report bills the applicable interpretation code.
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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