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CPT code 88185: Flow cytometry add-on, technical work, each additional marker2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Chicago, IL

Report the laboratory's technical work for each flow cytometry marker beyond the first on a specimen, together with first-marker code 88184.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality2.1M Medicare services in 2024

In Chicago, IL, Medicare pays $23.16 for 88185 in the office.

$23.16Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
+0.5%vs the national office rate ($23.05)

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.

We’ll open 88185 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Chicago, IL
  2. What 88185 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 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 Chicago, IL 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. Chicago, IL pays $23.16. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

88185 in Chicago, IL vs other payment areas
  1. Chicago, IL · this page$23.16
  2. East St. Louis, IL · Illinois$21.20−$1.96
  3. Rest of Illinois · Illinois$21.04−$2.12
  4. Suburban Chicago, IL · Illinois$23.67+$0.51
  5. Los Angeles, CA · California$27.26+$4.10
  6. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$27.15+$3.99
  7. Miami, FL · Florida$23.99+$0.83

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

Every other payment area

88185 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Manhattan, NYNew York$26.78—
AlaskaAlaska$24.54—
AlabamaAlabama$20.17—
ArkansasArkansas$19.80—
ArizonaArizona$22.33—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$25.26—
Chico, CACalifornia$25.26—
El Centro, CACalifornia$25.26—

88185 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.

$19.80

$29.24

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

View every state and territory as a table
88185 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$24.541
AL$20.171
AR$19.801
AZ$22.331
CA$25.26–$33.2329
CO$24.521
CT$24.821
DC$27.151
DE$22.771
FL$22.03–$23.993
GA$20.56–$23.422
GU$26.201
HI$26.201
IA$21.091
ID$21.201
IL$21.04–$23.674
IN$21.361
KS$20.831
KY$20.491
LA$20.40–$21.692
MA$24.27–$27.522
MD$23.32–$27.153
ME$21.20–$22.842
MI$21.04–$22.242
MN$23.711
MO$19.87–$21.943
MS$19.841
MT$23.051
NC$21.501
ND$23.051
NE$21.271
NH$23.991
NJ$25.17–$26.732
NM$21.131
NV$23.071
NY$21.89–$27.405
OH$21.041
OK$20.581
OR$22.95–$25.602
PA$21.16–$23.992
PR$23.301
RI$23.811
SC$21.301
SD$23.051
TN$20.951
TX$20.97–$24.388
UT$21.661
VA$22.65–$27.152
VI$23.301
VT$22.821
WA$24.27–$28.282
WI$22.081
WV$20.031
WY$23.051

See 88185 in every payment locality

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

Office or facility?

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 Chicago, IL 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

48

Locality
Chicago, IL
Physician work
1.007
Practice expense
1.005
Malpractice
2.295
Office calculation for 88185 in Chicago, IL
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.00× 1.0070.0000
Practice expense0.69× 1.0050.6934
Malpractice0.00× 2.2950.0000
Total RVUs0.6934
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Chicago, IL$23.16

Office: (0 × 1.007 + 0.69 × 1.005 + 0 × 2.295) × $33.4009 = $23.16

Open 88185 in the RVU calculator

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

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/technical3Technical component only.

Codes related to 88185

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

Codes related to 88185
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Chicago, IL
Primary code
88184Flow cytometry, first marker, technical componentPrimary technical code for the first marker; 88185 covers each additional marker.$82.43
Often billed with
88187Flow cytometry, 2–8 marker interpretationSeparate interpretation code when 2 to 8 markers are interpreted.$36.59
88188Flow cytometry, 9–15 markersSeparate interpretation code when 9 to 15 markers are interpreted.$61.41
88189Flow cytometry, 16 or more markersSeparate interpretation code when 16 or more markers are interpreted.$82.68

How 88185 has changed in Chicago, IL

88185 · Office / nonfacility

$23.16

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $0.66 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $22.50 to $23.16 (2.9%).

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

    $22.50changed to$23.16

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Practice expense RVU 0.68 changed to 0.69
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.023 changed to 1.005
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.018 changed to 2.295

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $24.18changed to$22.50

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 0.71 changed to 0.68

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $23.78changed to$24.18

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $24.85changed to$23.78

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Work GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.007
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.033 changed to 1.023
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.945 changed to 2.018

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $23.12changed to$24.85

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 0.64 changed to 0.71
    • Work GPCI 1.011 changed to 1.009
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.044 changed to 1.033
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.871 changed to 1.945

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $24.04changed to$23.12

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 0.66 changed to 0.64

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $23.25changed to$24.04

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 0.62 changed to 0.66
    • Work GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.011
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.039 changed to 1.044
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.898 changed to 1.871

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $25.71changed to$23.25

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 0.69 changed to 0.62
    • Work GPCI 1.008 changed to 1.009
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.034 changed to 1.039
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.925 changed to 1.898

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $31.64changed to$25.71

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 0.85 changed to 0.69

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $39.04changed to$31.64

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 1.05 changed to 0.85
    • Work GPCI 1.012 changed to 1.008
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.036 changed to 1.034
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.972 changed to 1.925

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $48.27changed to$39.04

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 1.30 changed to 1.05
    • Work GPCI 1.016 changed to 1.012
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.037 changed to 1.036
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.019 changed to 1.972

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $59.97changed to$48.27

    • 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.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $59.68changed to$59.97

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $56.46changed to$59.68

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 1.49 changed to 1.59
    • Work GPCI 1.023 changed to 1.016
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.044 changed to 1.037
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.048 changed to 2.019

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $57.20changed to$56.46

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 1.58 changed to 1.49
    • Work GPCI 1.030 changed to 1.023
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.051 changed to 1.044
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.077 changed to 2.048

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. October 1, 2013

    RVU13D

    No ratechanged to$57.20

  17. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$23.16Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$23.16Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$23.16Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$23.16Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$22.50Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$22.50Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$22.50Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$22.50Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$24.18Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$24.18Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$24.18Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$24.18Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$23.78Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$24.85Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$24.85Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$24.85Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$24.85Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$23.12Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$23.12Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$23.12Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$23.12Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$24.04Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$24.04Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$24.04Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$24.04Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$23.25Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$23.25Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$23.25Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$23.25Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$25.71Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$25.71Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$25.71Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$25.71Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$31.64Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$31.64Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$31.64Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$31.64Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$39.04Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$39.04Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$39.04Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$39.04Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$48.27Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$48.27Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$48.27Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$48.27Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$59.97Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$59.97Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$59.68Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$59.68Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$56.46Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$56.46Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$56.46Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$56.46Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$57.20Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 88185 for an earlier date of service

Where the Chicago, IL rate applies

Chicago, IL is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 137 cities and communities in Illinois. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

Browse all communities in Illinois

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
RVUs for 88185PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 11,163 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Chicago, ILGPCI2026.csv, line 48 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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