CPT code 88300: Gross pathology, gross examination only2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in New Mexico
Reports a pathologist’s macroscopic examination of a surgical specimen when the service is limited to gross inspection without microscopic evaluation.
In New Mexico, Medicare pays $15.42 for 88300 in the office.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 88300 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 88300 covers
A pathologist examines and documents a specimen’s visible features without preparing or reviewing tissue microscopically. This service may be performed in a hospital or pathology laboratory for material submitted for gross-only assessment, such as a removed device or foreign material. The specimen type and requested service must support gross examination alone; a specimen requiring histologic evaluation belongs at the appropriate microscopic surgical pathology level.
Report 88300 for each separately identified specimen that receives this gross-only service, supported by the accession record and a report documenting the examination. CMS recognizes separately priced professional and technical components: modifier 26 identifies the pathologist’s interpretation, modifier TC identifies the technical service, and no modifier represents the global service. The professional component reflects the pathologist’s work; the technical component reflects the equipment and staff involved.
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 New Mexico compares for 88300
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 88300 runs from $14.21 in Arkansas to $22.11 in San Benito County, CA. New Mexico pays $15.42. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- New Mexico · this page$15.42
- Los Angeles, CA · California$18.64+$3.22
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$18.90+$3.48
- Miami, FL · Florida$17.92+$2.50
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$17.32+$1.90
- Manhattan, NY · New York$19.04+$3.62
- Alaska · Alaska$18.25+$2.83
Other areas in New Mexico first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $14.45 | — |
| ArkansasArkansas | $14.21 | — |
| ArizonaArizona | $15.87 | — |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $17.41 | — |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $17.35 | — |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $17.36 | — |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $17.35 | — |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $17.35 | — |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $17.35 | — |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $17.35 | — |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $17.35 | — |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $20.35 | — |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $18.56 | — |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $17.35 | — |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $17.35 | — |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $17.57 | — |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $18.28 | — |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $18.21 | — |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $18.69 | — |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $21.60 | — |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $21.58 | — |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $22.11 | — |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $22.02 | — |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $17.91 | — |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $18.91 | — |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $18.29 | — |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $19.11 | — |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $17.35 | — |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $20.32 | — |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $17.35 | — |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $17.35 | — |
| ColoradoColorado | $17.09 | — |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $17.56 | — |
| DelawareDelaware | $16.16 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $17.08 | — |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $16.13 | — |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $16.72 | — |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $15.09 | — |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $17.87 | — |
| IowaIowa | $14.86 | — |
| IdahoIdaho | $14.97 | — |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $16.00 | — |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $15.61 | — |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $17.25 | — |
| IndianaIndiana | $15.07 | — |
| KansasKansas | $14.78 | — |
| KentuckyKentucky | $14.86 | — |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $15.69 | — |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $14.84 | — |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $18.93 | — |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $16.96 | — |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $17.52 | — |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $16.49 | — |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $15.07 | — |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $16.00 | — |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $16.37 | — |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $15.32 | — |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $16.27 | — |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $15.56 | — |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $15.74 | — |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $14.55 | — |
| MississippiMississippi | $14.38 | — |
| MontanaMontana | $16.37 | — |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $15.25 | — |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $15.97 | — |
| NebraskaNebraska | $14.95 | — |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $16.82 | — |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $18.66 | — |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $17.74 | — |
| NevadaNevada | $16.27 | — |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $19.57 | — |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $17.86 | — |
| Queens, NYNew York | $19.20 | — |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $15.52 | — |
| OhioOhio | $15.24 | — |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $14.82 | — |
| Portland, OROregon | $17.68 | — |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $16.12 | — |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $17.08 | — |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $15.26 | — |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $16.50 | — |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $16.77 | — |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $15.28 | — |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $15.92 | — |
| TennesseeTennessee | $14.87 | — |
| Austin, TXTexas | $17.05 | — |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $15.15 | — |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $16.12 | — |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $16.24 | — |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $16.12 | — |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $16.18 | — |
| Houston, TXTexas | $16.55 | — |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $15.64 | — |
| UtahUtah | $15.52 | — |
| VirginiaVirginia | $15.95 | — |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $16.50 | — |
| VermontVermont | $15.91 | — |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $16.93 | — |
| King County, WAWashington | $19.33 | — |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $15.36 | — |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $14.95 | — |
| WyomingWyoming | $16.19 | — |
88300 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.
$14.21
$19.73
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 | $18.25 | 1 |
| AL | $14.45 | 1 |
| AR | $14.21 | 1 |
| AZ | $15.87 | 1 |
| CA | $17.35–$22.11 | 29 |
| CO | $17.09 | 1 |
| CT | $17.56 | 1 |
| DC | $18.90 | 1 |
| DE | $16.16 | 1 |
| FL | $16.13–$17.92 | 3 |
| GA | $15.09–$16.72 | 2 |
| GU | $17.87 | 1 |
| HI | $17.87 | 1 |
| IA | $14.86 | 1 |
| ID | $14.97 | 1 |
| IL | $15.61–$17.32 | 4 |
| IN | $15.07 | 1 |
| KS | $14.78 | 1 |
| KY | $14.86 | 1 |
| LA | $14.84–$15.69 | 2 |
| MA | $16.96–$18.93 | 2 |
| MD | $16.49–$18.90 | 3 |
| ME | $15.07–$16.00 | 2 |
| MI | $15.32–$16.37 | 2 |
| MN | $16.27 | 1 |
| MO | $14.55–$15.74 | 3 |
| MS | $14.38 | 1 |
| MT | $16.37 | 1 |
| NC | $15.25 | 1 |
| ND | $15.97 | 1 |
| NE | $14.95 | 1 |
| NH | $16.82 | 1 |
| NJ | $17.74–$18.66 | 2 |
| NM | $15.42 | 1 |
| NV | $16.27 | 1 |
| NY | $15.52–$19.57 | 5 |
| OH | $15.24 | 1 |
| OK | $14.82 | 1 |
| OR | $16.12–$17.68 | 2 |
| PA | $15.26–$17.08 | 2 |
| PR | $16.50 | 1 |
| RI | $16.77 | 1 |
| SC | $15.28 | 1 |
| SD | $15.92 | 1 |
| TN | $14.87 | 1 |
| TX | $15.15–$17.05 | 8 |
| UT | $15.52 | 1 |
| VA | $15.95–$18.90 | 2 |
| VI | $16.50 | 1 |
| VT | $15.91 | 1 |
| WA | $16.93–$19.33 | 2 |
| WI | $15.36 | 1 |
| WV | $14.95 | 1 |
| WY | $16.19 | 1 |
How the 88300 rate is calculated
Each of 88300’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 · 88300
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.08
0.08 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense0.39
0.39 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.02
0.02 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
0.4900
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$16.37
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact New Mexico inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
11,197
- Code
- 88300
- Physician work
- 0.08
- Practice expense
- 0.39
- Malpractice
- 0.02
GPCI2026.csv
77
- Locality
- New Mexico
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.917
- Malpractice
- 1.201
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.08 | × 1.000 | 0.0800 |
| Practice expense | 0.39 | × 0.917 | 0.3576 |
| Malpractice | 0.02 | × 1.201 | 0.0240 |
| Total RVUs | 0.4617 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, New Mexico$15.42
Office: (0.08 × 1 + 0.39 × 0.917 + 0.02 × 1.201) × $33.4009 = $15.42
Payment rules and modifiers for 88300
The CMS indicators that decide how 88300 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 88300
Gross pathology, gross examination only
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | XXX | The global surgery concept doesn’t apply. |
| 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 | 1 | Diagnostic test with separate professional (26) and technical (TC) components. |
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 26 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
88300 without 26 · national office
$16.37
Gross pathology, gross examination only
88300-26 · Professional component
$4.34
Pays only the interpretation and report.
How 88300 has changed in New Mexico
88300 · Office / nonfacility
$15.42
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $0.33 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $15.09 to $15.42 (2.2%).
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
$15.09changed to$15.42
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Practice expense RVU 0.40 changed to 0.39
- Practice expense GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.917
- Malpractice GPCI 1.172 changed to 1.201
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$15.23changed to$15.09
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 0.39 changed to 0.40
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$14.98changed to$15.23
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$15.12changed to$14.98
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 0.38 changed to 0.39
- Practice expense GPCI 0.902 changed to 0.908
- Malpractice GPCI 1.169 changed to 1.172
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$14.43changed to$15.12
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 0.35 changed to 0.38
- Practice expense GPCI 0.896 changed to 0.902
- Malpractice GPCI 1.166 changed to 1.169
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$14.55changed to$14.43
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$14.90changed to$14.55
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 0.34 changed to 0.35
- Practice expense GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.896
- Malpractice GPCI 1.207 changed to 1.166
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$15.40changed to$14.90
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 0.35 changed to 0.34
- Practice expense GPCI 0.921 changed to 0.908
- Malpractice GPCI 1.247 changed to 1.207
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$16.05changed to$15.40
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 0.37 changed to 0.35
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$15.62changed to$16.05
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Practice expense RVU 0.36 changed to 0.37
- Practice expense GPCI 0.920 changed to 0.921
- Malpractice GPCI 1.204 changed to 1.247
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
$14.55changed to$15.62
- Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
- Practice expense RVU 0.33 changed to 0.36
- Practice expense GPCI 0.919 changed to 0.920
- Malpractice GPCI 1.161 changed to 1.204
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
$14.61changed to$14.55
- Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
July 1, 2015
RVU15C
$14.53changed to$14.61
- Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335
Held through RVU15D.
January 1, 2015
RVU15A
$13.83changed to$14.53
- Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
- Practice expense RVU 0.31 changed to 0.33
- Practice expense GPCI 0.918 changed to 0.919
- Malpractice GPCI 1.079 changed to 1.161
Held through RVU15B.
January 1, 2014
RVU14A
$13.68changed to$13.83
- Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
- Practice expense RVU 0.33 changed to 0.31
- Practice expense GPCI 0.916 changed to 0.918
- Malpractice GPCI 0.997 changed to 1.079
Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: $13.68
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $15.42 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $15.42 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $15.42 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $15.42 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $15.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $15.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $15.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $15.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $15.23 | Not available in this setting | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $15.23 | Not available in this setting | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $15.23 | Not available in this setting | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $15.23 | Not available in this setting | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $14.98 | Not available in this setting | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $15.12 | Not available in this setting | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $15.12 | Not available in this setting | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $15.12 | Not available in this setting | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $15.12 | Not available in this setting | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $14.43 | Not available in this setting | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $14.43 | Not available in this setting | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $14.43 | Not available in this setting | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $14.43 | Not available in this setting | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $14.55 | Not available in this setting | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $14.55 | Not available in this setting | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $14.55 | Not available in this setting | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $14.55 | Not available in this setting | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $14.90 | Not available in this setting | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $14.90 | Not available in this setting | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $14.90 | Not available in this setting | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $14.90 | Not available in this setting | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $15.40 | Not available in this setting | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $15.40 | Not available in this setting | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $15.40 | Not available in this setting | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $15.40 | Not available in this setting | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $16.05 | Not available in this setting | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $16.05 | Not available in this setting | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $16.05 | Not available in this setting | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $16.05 | Not available in this setting | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $15.62 | Not available in this setting | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $15.62 | Not available in this setting | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $15.62 | Not available in this setting | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $15.62 | Not available in this setting | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | $14.55 | Not available in this setting | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $14.55 | Not available in this setting | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $14.55 | Not available in this setting | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $14.55 | Not available in this setting | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | $14.61 | Not available in this setting | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | $14.61 | Not available in this setting | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | $14.53 | Not available in this setting | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | $14.53 | Not available in this setting | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | $13.83 | Not available in this setting | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | $13.83 | Not available in this setting | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | $13.83 | Not available in this setting | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | $13.83 | Not available in this setting | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | $13.68 | Not available in this setting | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | $13.68 | Not available in this setting | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | $13.68 | Not available in this setting | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | $13.68 | Not available in this setting | RVU13AR |
Where the New Mexico rate applies
New Mexico is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 528 cities and communities in New Mexico. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Abeytas
- Abiquiu
- Acomita Lake
- Adelino
- Agua Fria
- Alamillo
- Alamo
- Alamogordo
88300 billing questions
How do I distinguish 88300 from 88302 or a higher-level surgical pathology code?
88300 is for gross examination without microscopic evaluation. If the specimen receives microscopic examination, select the appropriate surgical pathology level based on the specimen and service.
Can the professional and technical components be billed separately?
Yes. Modifier 26 identifies the professional component, and modifier TC identifies the technical component. Billing without either modifier represents the global service.
What documentation supports reporting 88300?
Keep the specimen accession information and a pathology report documenting gross examination only. The record should support why the service did not include microscopic evaluation.
Should 88300 be reported for an intraoperative pathology consultation?
A gross-only examination for final specimen assessment is distinct from an intraoperative consultation. Codes such as 88329 or 88331 describe intraoperative pathology services, depending on the service performed.
How are units determined?
Report the service for each separately identified specimen receiving gross-only examination, consistent with the accession and pathology documentation.
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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