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

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 Houston, TX, Medicare pays $59.40 for 88188 in the office and $59.40 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$59.40Office (non-facility)
$59.40Hospital or facility
+1.6%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 Houston, TX
  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 Houston, TX 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. Houston, TX pays $59.40. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

88188 in Houston, TX vs other payment areas
  1. Houston, TX · this page$59.40
  2. Austin, TX · Texas$59.31−$0.09
  3. Beaumont, TX · Texas$56.75−$2.65
  4. Brazoria, TX · Texas$58.17−$1.23
  5. Dallas, TX · Texas$58.45−$0.95
  6. Fort Worth, TX · Texas$58.30−$1.10
  7. Galveston, TX · Texas$58.30−$1.10

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

Every other payment area

88188 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Rest of TexasTexas$57.37$57.37
Los Angeles, CACalifornia$62.56$62.56
Washington, DC areaDistrict of Columbia$63.88$63.88
Miami, FLFlorida$62.23$62.23
Chicago, ILIllinois$61.41$61.41
Manhattan, NYNew York$64.94$64.94
AlaskaAlaska$78.22$78.22
AlabamaAlabama$55.41$55.41

88188 rates by state

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

MEWIVTNHMTNDMNMINYMARIWAIDWYSDIAILINOHPANJCTORNVUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDECAAZNMKSOKARTNNCSCDCTXLAMSALGAFLAKHI

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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 Houston, TX 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

102

Locality
Houston, TX
Physician work
1.008
Practice expense
0.993
Malpractice
1.376
Office calculation for 88188 in Houston, TX
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.17× 1.0081.1794
Practice expense0.52× 0.9930.5164
Malpractice0.06× 1.3760.0826
Total RVUs1.7783
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Houston, TX$59.40

Office: (1.17 × 1.008 + 0.52 × 0.993 + 0.06 × 1.376) × $33.4009 = $59.40

Facility: (1.17 × 1.008 + 0.52 × 0.993 + 0.06 × 1.376) × $33.4009 = $59.40

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, Houston, TX
Often billed with
88184Flow cytometry, first marker, technical componentTechnical flow cytometry service for the first marker may accompany the professional interpretation.$80.85
88185Flow cytometry add-on, technical work, each additional markerTechnical flow cytometry service for additional markers may accompany the professional interpretation.$22.89
Same family
88187Flow cytometry, 2–8 marker interpretationProfessional interpretation for a smaller panel of 2–8 markers.$35.57
88189Flow cytometry, 16 or more markersProfessional interpretation for a panel of 16 or more markers.$80.33

How 88188 has changed in Houston, TX

88188 · Office / nonfacility

$59.40

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $0.08 lower than on 2025-10-01, moving from $59.48 to $59.40 (0.1%).

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

    $59.48changed to$59.40

    • 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
    • Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.008
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.003 changed to 0.993
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.409 changed to 1.376

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $61.68changed to$59.48

    • 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

    $60.67changed to$61.68

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $63.23changed to$60.67

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 0.56 changed to 0.55
    • Work GPCI 1.023 changed to 1.014
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.016 changed to 1.003
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.154 changed to 1.409

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $64.58changed to$63.23

    • 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
    • Work GPCI 1.032 changed to 1.023
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.029 changed to 1.016
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.900 changed to 1.154

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $64.53changed to$64.58

    • 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

    $67.40changed to$64.53

    • 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
    • Work GPCI 1.026 changed to 1.032
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.029
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.918 changed to 0.900

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $66.92changed to$67.40

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Work GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.026
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.012 changed to 1.020
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.936 changed to 0.918

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $67.58changed to$66.92

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

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $76.38changed to$67.58

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 0.84 changed to 0.59
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.012
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.946 changed to 0.936

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $94.27changed to$76.38

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Work RVU 1.69 changed to 1.20
    • Practice expense RVU 0.82 changed to 0.84
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.06
    • Work GPCI 1.019 changed to 1.020
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.006 changed to 1.009
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.955 changed to 0.946

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $93.53changed to$94.27

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 0.79 changed to 0.82

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $93.06changed to$93.53

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $91.01changed to$93.06

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 0.73 changed to 0.79
    • Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.09
    • Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.019
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.004 changed to 1.006
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.939 changed to 0.955

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $88.09changed to$91.01

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 0.79 changed to 0.73
    • Work GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.014
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.002 changed to 1.004
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.923 changed to 0.939

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $88.09

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$59.40$59.40RVU26D
2026-07-01$59.40$59.40RVU26C
2026-04-01$59.40$59.40RVU26B
2026-01-01$59.40$59.40RVU26A
2025-10-01$59.48$59.48RVU25D
2025-07-01$59.48$59.48RVU25C
2025-04-01$59.48$59.48RVU25B
2025-01-01$59.48$59.48RVU25A
2024-10-01$61.68$61.68RVU24D
2024-07-01$61.68$61.68RVU24C
2024-04-01$61.68$61.68RVU24B
2024-03-09$61.68$61.68RVU24AR
2024-01-01$60.67$60.67RVU24A
2023-10-01$63.23$63.23RVU23D
2023-07-01$63.23$63.23RVU23C
2023-04-01$63.23$63.23RVU23B
2023-01-01$63.23$63.23RVU23A
2022-10-01$64.58$64.58RVU22D
2022-07-01$64.58$64.58RVU22C
2022-04-01$64.58$64.58RVU22B
2022-01-01$64.58$64.58RVU22A
2021-10-01$64.53$64.53RVU21D
2021-07-01$64.53$64.53RVU21C
2021-04-01$64.53$64.53RVU21B
2021-01-01$64.53$64.53RVU21A
2020-10-01$67.40$67.40RVU20D
2020-07-01$67.40$67.40RVU20C
2020-04-01$67.40$67.40RVU20B
2020-01-01$67.40$67.40RVU20A
2019-10-01$66.92$66.92RVU19D
2019-07-01$66.92$66.92RVU19C
2019-04-01$66.92$66.92RVU19B
2019-01-01$66.92$66.92RVU19A
2018-10-01$67.58$67.58RVU18D
2018-07-01$67.58$67.58RVU18C
2018-04-01$67.58$67.58RVU18B
2018-01-01$67.58$67.58RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$76.38$76.38RVU17D
2017-07-01$76.38$76.38RVU17C
2017-04-01$76.38$76.38RVU17B
2017-01-01$76.38$76.38RVU17A
2016-10-01$94.27$94.27RVU16D
2016-07-01$94.27$94.27RVU16C
2016-04-01$94.27$94.27RVU16B
2016-01-01$94.27$94.27RVU16A
2015-10-01$93.53$93.53RVU15D
2015-07-01$93.53$93.53RVU15C
2015-04-01$93.06$93.06RVU15B
2015-01-01$93.06$93.06RVU15A
2014-10-01$91.01$91.01RVU14D
2014-07-01$91.01$91.01RVU14C
2014-04-01$91.01$91.01RVU14B
2014-01-01$91.01$91.01RVU14A
2013-10-01$88.09$88.09RVU13D
2013-07-01$88.09$88.09RVU13C
2013-04-01$88.09$88.09RVU13B
2013-01-01$88.09$88.09RVU13AR

Price 88188 for an earlier date of service

Where the Houston, TX rate applies

Houston, TX is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 46 cities and communities in Texas. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

Browse all communities in Texas

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 Houston, TXGPCI2026.csv, line 102 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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