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CPT code 88291: Cytogenetic report, interpretation and report2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Houston, TX

Report this service for professional interpretation of cytogenetic or molecular cytogenetic study findings, with a written report distinct from laboratory testing.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality60.6K Medicare services in 2024

In Houston, TX, Medicare pays $33.35 for 88291 in the office and $33.35 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$33.35Office (non-facility)
$33.35Hospital or facility
+0.8%vs the national office rate ($33.07)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 88291 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 88291 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Houston, TX
  2. What 88291 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 88291 covers

A qualified interpreting professional reviews results from cytogenetic or molecular cytogenetic testing, interprets the findings, and prepares a report. The studies may involve chromosome analysis or molecular cytogenetic methods such as DNA-probe testing. These services are commonly performed through clinical laboratories serving hospitals, physician practices, and other diagnostic settings; the interpretation may inform evaluation of suspected chromosomal abnormalities or other genetic conditions.

Report 88291 for the interpretation and report, not for specimen processing or the laboratory testing itself. The documentation should support the study reviewed, the interpreting professional’s findings, and the resulting report. CMS identifies 88291 as a professional-component-only code; the technical portion is reported separately using the code for the test performed. Select that technical code according to the method and study, such as DNA-probe testing or chromosome analysis. The professional interpretation and the technical service may therefore appear as separate lines for the same study.

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 88291

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 88291 runs from $30.58 in Arkansas to $42.28 in Alaska. Houston, TX pays $33.35. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

88291 in Houston, TX vs other payment areas
  1. Houston, TX · this page$33.35
  2. Austin, TX · Texas$33.92+$0.57
  3. Beaumont, TX · Texas$31.64−$1.71
  4. Brazoria, TX · Texas$32.92−$0.43
  5. Dallas, TX · Texas$33.06−$0.29
  6. Fort Worth, TX · Texas$32.92−$0.43
  7. Galveston, TX · Texas$32.98−$0.37

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

Every other payment area

88291 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Rest of TexasTexas$32.22$32.22
Los Angeles, CACalifornia$36.35$36.35
Washington, DC areaDistrict of Columbia$36.80$36.80
Miami, FLFlorida$34.72$34.72
Chicago, ILIllinois$34.13$34.13
Manhattan, NYNew York$37.04$37.04
AlaskaAlaska$42.28$42.28
AlabamaAlabama$30.86$30.86

88291 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.

$30.58

$42.28

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

View every state and territory as a table
88291 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$42.281
AL$30.861
AR$30.581
AZ$32.491
CA$34.52–$41.4229
CO$34.111
CT$34.731
DC$36.801
DE$32.901
FL$32.73–$34.723
GA$31.54–$33.502
GU$34.891
HI$34.891
IA$31.361
ID$31.491
IL$32.11–$34.134
IN$31.601
KS$31.261
KY$31.301
LA$31.27–$32.252
MA$34.02–$36.672
MD$33.37–$36.803
ME$31.59–$32.682
MI$31.82–$32.992
MN$33.041
MO$30.93–$32.333
MS$30.761
MT$33.071
NC$31.801
ND$32.671
NE$31.471
NH$33.611
NJ$35.23–$36.642
NM$31.931
NV$32.971
NY$32.10–$37.635
OH$31.741
OK$31.271
OR$32.81–$34.872
PA$31.77–$34.132
PR$33.231
RI$33.831
SC$31.801
SD$32.621
TN$31.361
TX$31.64–$33.928
UT$32.081
VA$32.61–$36.802
VI$33.231
VT$32.581
WA$33.94–$37.282
WI$31.961
WV$31.341
WY$32.891

See 88291 in every payment locality

How the 88291 rate is calculated

Each of 88291’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 · 88291

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.51

0.51 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense0.46

0.46 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.02

0.02 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

0.9900

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$33.07

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

11,195

Code
88291
Physician work
0.51
Practice expense
0.46
Malpractice
0.02

GPCI2026.csv

102

Locality
Houston, TX
Physician work
1.008
Practice expense
0.993
Malpractice
1.376
Office calculation for 88291 in Houston, TX
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.51× 1.0080.5141
Practice expense0.46× 0.9930.4568
Malpractice0.02× 1.3760.0275
Total RVUs0.9984
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Houston, TX$33.35

Office: (0.51 × 1.008 + 0.46 × 0.993 + 0.02 × 1.376) × $33.4009 = $33.35

Facility: (0.51 × 1.008 + 0.46 × 0.993 + 0.02 × 1.376) × $33.4009 = $33.35

Open 88291 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 88291

The CMS indicators that decide how 88291 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 88291

Cytogenetic report, interpretation and report

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 88291

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

Codes related to 88291
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Houston, TX
Often billed with
88271DNA probe, each probeDNA-probe testing may have a separately reported interpretation and report.$21.42
88272Cytogenetics, three to five cellsA cytogenetic testing service that may be paired with professional interpretation.$40.70
88273Chromosome probe test, 10–30 cells analyzedA cytogenetic testing service that may be paired with professional interpretation.$34.81
88274Interphase FISH, 25–99 cells analyzedA cytogenetic testing service that may be paired with professional interpretation.$42.38
88275Interphase ISH, 100–300 cellsA cytogenetic testing service that may be paired with professional interpretation.$51.19
88280Karyotype study, additional studyChromosome analysis may have a separately reported interpretation and report.$33.47

How 88291 has changed in Houston, TX

88291 · Office / nonfacility

$33.35

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $0.19 lower than on 2025-10-01, moving from $33.54 to $33.35 (0.6%).

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

    $33.54changed to$33.35

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.52 changed to 0.51
    • Practice expense RVU 0.48 changed to 0.46
    • 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

    $33.85changed to$33.54

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 0.46 changed to 0.48

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $33.30changed to$33.85

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $33.27changed to$33.30

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 0.42 changed to 0.46
    • 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

    $34.42changed to$33.27

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 0.41 changed to 0.42
    • Malpractice RVU 0.04 changed to 0.02
    • 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

    $34.70changed to$34.42

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $35.34changed to$34.70

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Malpractice RVU 0.03 changed to 0.04
    • 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

    $34.38changed to$35.34

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 0.40 changed to 0.41
    • Malpractice RVU 0.02 changed to 0.03
    • 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

    $34.34changed to$34.38

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $33.47changed to$34.34

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 0.38 changed to 0.40
    • 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

    $32.62changed to$33.47

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 0.36 changed to 0.38
    • 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

    $32.38changed to$32.62

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 0.35 changed to 0.36

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $32.22changed to$32.38

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $31.41changed to$32.22

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 0.32 changed to 0.35
    • Malpractice RVU 0.03 changed to 0.02
    • 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

    $30.73changed to$31.41

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 0.35 changed to 0.32
    • 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: $30.73

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$33.35$33.35RVU26D
2026-07-01$33.35$33.35RVU26C
2026-04-01$33.35$33.35RVU26B
2026-01-01$33.35$33.35RVU26A
2025-10-01$33.54$33.54RVU25D
2025-07-01$33.54$33.54RVU25C
2025-04-01$33.54$33.54RVU25B
2025-01-01$33.54$33.54RVU25A
2024-10-01$33.85$33.85RVU24D
2024-07-01$33.85$33.85RVU24C
2024-04-01$33.85$33.85RVU24B
2024-03-09$33.85$33.85RVU24AR
2024-01-01$33.30$33.30RVU24A
2023-10-01$33.27$33.27RVU23D
2023-07-01$33.27$33.27RVU23C
2023-04-01$33.27$33.27RVU23B
2023-01-01$33.27$33.27RVU23A
2022-10-01$34.42$34.42RVU22D
2022-07-01$34.42$34.42RVU22C
2022-04-01$34.42$34.42RVU22B
2022-01-01$34.42$34.42RVU22A
2021-10-01$34.70$34.70RVU21D
2021-07-01$34.70$34.70RVU21C
2021-04-01$34.70$34.70RVU21B
2021-01-01$34.70$34.70RVU21A
2020-10-01$35.34$35.34RVU20D
2020-07-01$35.34$35.34RVU20C
2020-04-01$35.34$35.34RVU20B
2020-01-01$35.34$35.34RVU20A
2019-10-01$34.38$34.38RVU19D
2019-07-01$34.38$34.38RVU19C
2019-04-01$34.38$34.38RVU19B
2019-01-01$34.38$34.38RVU19A
2018-10-01$34.34$34.34RVU18D
2018-07-01$34.34$34.34RVU18C
2018-04-01$34.34$34.34RVU18B
2018-01-01$34.34$34.34RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$33.47$33.47RVU17D
2017-07-01$33.47$33.47RVU17C
2017-04-01$33.47$33.47RVU17B
2017-01-01$33.47$33.47RVU17A
2016-10-01$32.62$32.62RVU16D
2016-07-01$32.62$32.62RVU16C
2016-04-01$32.62$32.62RVU16B
2016-01-01$32.62$32.62RVU16A
2015-10-01$32.38$32.38RVU15D
2015-07-01$32.38$32.38RVU15C
2015-04-01$32.22$32.22RVU15B
2015-01-01$32.22$32.22RVU15A
2014-10-01$31.41$31.41RVU14D
2014-07-01$31.41$31.41RVU14C
2014-04-01$31.41$31.41RVU14B
2014-01-01$31.41$31.41RVU14A
2013-10-01$30.73$30.73RVU13D
2013-07-01$30.73$30.73RVU13C
2013-04-01$30.73$30.73RVU13B
2013-01-01$30.73$30.73RVU13AR

Price 88291 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

88291 billing questions

How is 88291 different from 88271?

88291 represents interpretation and reporting. 88271 describes DNA-probe testing, the technical service, when that method is performed.

Does 88291 include laboratory testing or specimen processing?

No. CMS identifies 88291 as professional-component-only; the technical portion is coded separately based on the cytogenetic method performed.

What documentation supports reporting 88291?

Keep the interpreted study results and the written report documenting the professional findings. The record should identify the study being interpreted.

Can 88291 be reported with chromosome analysis?

Yes, when the professional interpretation and report are performed for a chromosome analysis study. Report the applicable technical service separately.

Does 88291 represent a count of cells or probes?

No. It represents the interpretation and report; cell counts or probe details belong to selection of the separate technical study 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 88291PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 11,195 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Houston, TXGPCI2026.csv, line 102 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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