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CPT code 88188: Flow cytometry, 9–15 markers2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Alabama

Reports a pathologist’s interpretation of flow cytometry findings when the analysis includes 9–15 markers, commonly for suspected hematologic malignancy.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality44.9K Medicare services in 2024

In Alabama, Medicare pays $55.41 for 88188 in the office and $55.41 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$55.41Office (non-facility)
$55.41Hospital or facility
−5.2%vs the national office rate ($58.45)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 88188 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 88188 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Alabama
  2. What 88188 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 88188 covers

This service is the professional interpretation and written report of flow cytometry findings from a panel of 9–15 markers. A pathologist or other qualified laboratory professional may evaluate results from peripheral blood, bone marrow, lymph node, or fluid specimens when assessing suspected leukemia, lymphoma, or another hematologic disorder. The report interprets the cell populations and marker pattern in the clinical context; it is not the laboratory work that processes and analyzes the specimen.

Select this code according to the number of markers included in the interpretation: 9–15. The record should support the specimen examined, markers assessed, findings, and resulting interpretation. Report the professional service separately from the applicable technical flow cytometry services; the technical portion is covered by separate codes. This code represents interpretation and reporting only.

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 Alabama compares for 88188

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 88188 runs from $55.03 in Arkansas to $78.22 in Alaska. Alabama pays $55.41. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

88188 in Alabama vs other payment areas
  1. Alabama · this page$55.41
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$62.56+$7.15
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$63.88+$8.47
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$62.23+$6.82
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$61.41+$6.00
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$64.94+$9.53
  7. Alaska · Alaska$78.22+$22.81

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

Every other payment area

88188 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$55.03$55.03
ArizonaArizona$57.62$57.62
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$60.08$60.08
Chico, CACalifornia$59.85$59.85
El Centro, CACalifornia$59.86$59.86
Fresno, CACalifornia$59.85$59.85
Hanford, CACalifornia$59.85$59.85
Madera, CACalifornia$59.85$59.85

88188 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

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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.

$55.03

$78.22

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

View every state and territory as a table
88188 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$78.221
AL$55.411
AR$55.031
AZ$57.621
CA$59.85–$69.5029
CO$59.591
CT$60.991
DC$63.881
DE$58.241
FL$58.70–$62.233
GA$56.96–$59.252
GU$59.991
HI$59.991
IA$55.771
ID$56.011
IL$58.07–$61.414
IN$56.151
KS$55.791
KY$56.351
LA$56.37–$57.702
MA$59.59–$63.202
MD$58.89–$63.883
ME$56.30–$57.562
MI$57.20–$59.222
MN$57.541
MO$56.00–$57.623
MS$55.511
MT$58.451
NC$56.561
ND$57.261
NE$55.871
NH$58.911
NJ$61.81–$63.832
NM$57.411
NV$58.131
NY$56.99–$65.955
OH$56.961
OK$56.151
OR$57.79–$60.492
PA$56.92–$60.252
PR$58.611
RI$59.551
SC$56.831
SD$57.121
TN$55.941
TX$56.75–$59.408
UT$57.211
VA$57.57–$63.882
VI$58.611
VT$57.291
WA$59.40–$63.982
WI$56.341
WV$57.041
WY$57.931

See 88188 in every payment locality

How the 88188 rate is calculated

Each of 88188’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 · 88188

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.17

1.17 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense0.52

0.52 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.06

0.06 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

1.7500

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$58.45

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

The exact Alabama inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

11,165

Code
88188
Physician work
1.17
Practice expense
0.52
Malpractice
0.06

GPCI2026.csv

4

Locality
Alabama
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.875
Malpractice
0.566
Office calculation for 88188 in Alabama
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.17× 1.0001.1700
Practice expense0.52× 0.8750.4550
Malpractice0.06× 0.5660.0340
Total RVUs1.6590
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Alabama$55.41

Office: (1.17 × 1 + 0.52 × 0.875 + 0.06 × 0.566) × $33.4009 = $55.41

Facility: (1.17 × 1 + 0.52 × 0.875 + 0.06 × 0.566) × $33.4009 = $55.41

Open 88188 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 88188

The CMS indicators that decide how 88188 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 88188

Flow cytometry, 9–15 markers

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/technical2Professional component only.

Codes related to 88188

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

Codes related to 88188
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Alabama
Often billed with
88184Flow cytometry, first marker, technical componentTechnical flow cytometry service for the first marker may accompany the professional interpretation.$70.81
88185Flow cytometry add-on, technical work, each additional markerTechnical flow cytometry service for additional markers may accompany the professional interpretation.$20.17
Same family
88187Flow cytometry, 2–8 marker interpretationProfessional interpretation for a smaller panel of 2–8 markers.$33.38
88189Flow cytometry, 16 or more markersProfessional interpretation for a panel of 16 or more markers.$75.47

How 88188 has changed in Alabama

88188 · Office / nonfacility

$55.41

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $0.20 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $55.21 to $55.41 (0.4%).

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

    $55.21changed to$55.41

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.20 changed to 1.17
    • Practice expense RVU 0.55 changed to 0.52
    • Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.06
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.869 changed to 0.875
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.575 changed to 0.566

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $57.00changed to$55.21

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.05

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $56.07changed to$57.00

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $58.85changed to$56.07

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 0.56 changed to 0.55
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.878 changed to 0.869
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.748 changed to 0.575

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $60.67changed to$58.85

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 0.54 changed to 0.56
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.06
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.888 changed to 0.878
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.921 changed to 0.748

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $60.52changed to$60.67

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 0.55 changed to 0.54
    • Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.08

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $63.13changed to$60.52

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 0.57 changed to 0.55
    • Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.05
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.889 changed to 0.888
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.707 changed to 0.921

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $62.59changed to$63.13

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.890 changed to 0.889
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.492 changed to 0.707

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $63.17changed to$62.59

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 0.59 changed to 0.57

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. April 1, 2018

    RVU18B

    No ratechanged to$63.17

    Held through RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D, RVU14A, RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D, RVU15A, RVU15B, RVU15C, RVU15D, RVU16A, RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D, RVU17A, RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D, RVU18AR1.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$55.41$55.41RVU26D
2026-07-01$55.41$55.41RVU26C
2026-04-01$55.41$55.41RVU26B
2026-01-01$55.41$55.41RVU26A
2025-10-01$55.21$55.21RVU25D
2025-07-01$55.21$55.21RVU25C
2025-04-01$55.21$55.21RVU25B
2025-01-01$55.21$55.21RVU25A
2024-10-01$57.00$57.00RVU24D
2024-07-01$57.00$57.00RVU24C
2024-04-01$57.00$57.00RVU24B
2024-03-09$57.00$57.00RVU24AR
2024-01-01$56.07$56.07RVU24A
2023-10-01$58.85$58.85RVU23D
2023-07-01$58.85$58.85RVU23C
2023-04-01$58.85$58.85RVU23B
2023-01-01$58.85$58.85RVU23A
2022-10-01$60.67$60.67RVU22D
2022-07-01$60.67$60.67RVU22C
2022-04-01$60.67$60.67RVU22B
2022-01-01$60.67$60.67RVU22A
2021-10-01$60.52$60.52RVU21D
2021-07-01$60.52$60.52RVU21C
2021-04-01$60.52$60.52RVU21B
2021-01-01$60.52$60.52RVU21A
2020-10-01$63.13$63.13RVU20D
2020-07-01$63.13$63.13RVU20C
2020-04-01$63.13$63.13RVU20B
2020-01-01$63.13$63.13RVU20A
2019-10-01$62.59$62.59RVU19D
2019-07-01$62.59$62.59RVU19C
2019-04-01$62.59$62.59RVU19B
2019-01-01$62.59$62.59RVU19A
2018-10-01$63.17$63.17RVU18D
2018-07-01$63.17$63.17RVU18C
2018-04-01$63.17$63.17RVU18B
2018-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU18AR1
2017-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU17D
2017-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU17C
2017-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU17B
2017-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU17A
2016-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16D
2016-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16C
2016-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16B
2016-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16A
2015-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15D
2015-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15C
2015-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15B
2015-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15A
2014-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14D
2014-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14C
2014-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14B
2014-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14A
2013-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13D
2013-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13C
2013-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13B
2013-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13AR

Price 88188 for an earlier date of service

Where the Alabama rate applies

Alabama is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 595 cities and communities in Alabama. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Abanda
  • Abbeville
  • Adamsville
  • Addison
  • Akron
  • Alabaster
  • Albertville
  • Alexander City

Browse all communities in Alabama

88188 billing questions

How is 88188 selected over 88187 or 88189?

Choose 88188 when the interpretation covers 9–15 markers. The neighboring interpretation codes represent 2–8 markers and 16 or more markers, respectively.

Does 88188 include specimen processing and flow analysis?

No. It covers the professional interpretation and report; separate codes represent the technical flow cytometry work.

Should modifier 26 be appended?

No. 88188 is a professional-component-only code for interpretation and reporting.

Is 88188 reported once per marker?

No. Select the interpretation code based on the total marker count; 88188 represents a 9–15-marker analysis, not an individual marker.

What documentation supports reporting 88188?

Document the specimen, the markers assessed, the interpreted findings, and the report. The documentation should support that the interpreted panel falls within the 9–15-marker range.

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 88188PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 11,165 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for AlabamaGPCI2026.csv, line 4 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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