CPT code 88305: Tissue pathology exam, level IV specimen2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Queens, NY

Pathologist gross and microscopic examination of a Level IV specimen, such as a skin, GI tract, breast, or endometrial biopsy.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality18.4M Medicare services in 2024

In Queens, NY, Medicare pays $80.20 for 88305 in the office.

$80.20Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
+14.3%vs the national office rate ($70.14)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 88305 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 88305 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Queens, NY
  2. What 88305 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 88305 covers

This service covers gross examination and microscopic interpretation of a Level IV tissue specimen, with routine processing, embedding, sectioning, and H&E staining. Common specimens include skin biopsies, gastric and colon biopsies, colorectal polyps, breast core biopsies, endometrial biopsies, and bone marrow core biopsies. Pathologists, including dermatopathologists, examine these specimens in hospital laboratories, independent laboratories, or physician office laboratories.

Report one unit for each separately submitted specimen classified at Level IV; the specimen type, not the number of tissue blocks or slides, determines the level. The pathology report should identify each specimen and its anatomic site, gross findings, and microscopic diagnosis. Separately performed and documented special stains, immunohistochemistry, or decalcification may be reported with the appropriate codes when medically necessary. Without a modifier, 88305 represents the global service. Modifier 26 identifies the pathologist's interpretation and report; modifier TC identifies technical processing, equipment, and staff work. For Medicare prostate needle biopsies, report G0416 for the biopsy case rather than 88305 units for individual cores or specimens.

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 Queens, NY compares for 88305

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 88305 runs from $63.46 in Arkansas to $92.44 in San Benito County, CA. Queens, NY pays $80.20. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

88305 in Queens, NY vs other payment areas
  1. Queens, NY · this page$80.20
  2. Manhattan, NY · New York$79.40−$0.80
  3. NYC suburbs and Long Island, NY · New York$80.80+$0.60
  4. Rest of New York · New York$67.69−$12.51
  5. Los Angeles, CA · California$79.17−$1.03
  6. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$79.56−$0.64

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

Every other payment area

88305 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Miami, FLFlorida$73.01—
Chicago, ILIllinois$71.40—
AlaskaAlaska$84.96—
AlabamaAlabama$64.22—
ArkansasArkansas$63.46—
ArizonaArizona$68.65—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$74.67—
Chico, CACalifornia$74.58—

88305 rates by state

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

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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.

$63.46

$84.96

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

View every state and territory as a table
88305 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$84.961
AL$64.221
AR$63.461
AZ$68.651
CA$74.58–$92.4429
CO$73.171
CT$74.241
DC$79.561
DE$69.661
FL$68.49–$73.013
GA$65.40–$71.072
GU$76.041
HI$76.041
IA$65.911
ID$66.181
IL$66.60–$72.054
IN$66.511
KS$65.481
KY$65.081
LA$64.93–$67.572
MA$72.79–$79.822
MD$70.87–$79.563
ME$66.28–$69.492
MI$66.31–$69.022
MN$70.981
MO$63.90–$67.983
MS$63.701
MT$70.141
NC$66.881
ND$69.751
NE$66.251
NH$71.911
NJ$75.33–$78.942
NM$66.531
NV$70.081
NY$67.69–$80.805
OH$66.221
OK$65.171
OR$69.76–$75.372
PA$66.41–$72.562
PR$70.631
RI$72.021
SC$66.611
SD$69.701
TN$65.731
TX$66.04–$72.738
UT$67.371
VA$69.18–$79.562
VI$70.631
VT$69.361
WA$72.69–$81.472
WI$67.791
WV$64.521
WY$69.971

See 88305 in every payment locality

How the 88305 rate is calculated

Each of 88305’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 · 88305

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.73

0.73 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense1.35

1.35 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.02

0.02 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

2.1000

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$70.14

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

The exact Queens, NY inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

11,206

Code
88305
Physician work
0.73
Practice expense
1.35
Malpractice
0.02

GPCI2026.csv

81

Locality
Queens, NY
Physician work
1.064
Practice expense
1.182
Malpractice
1.442
Office calculation for 88305 in Queens, NY
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.73× 1.0640.7767
Practice expense1.35× 1.1821.5957
Malpractice0.02× 1.4420.0288
Total RVUs2.4013
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Queens, NY$80.20

Office: (0.73 × 1.064 + 1.35 × 1.182 + 0.02 × 1.442) × $33.4009 = $80.20

Open 88305 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 88305

The CMS indicators that decide how 88305 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 88305

Tissue pathology exam, level IV specimen

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/technical1Diagnostic test with separate professional (26) and technical (TC) components.

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 26 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

88305 without 26 · national office

$70.14

Tissue pathology exam, level IV specimen

88305-26 · Professional component

$35.07

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

How 88305 has changed in Queens, NY

88305 · Office / nonfacility

$80.20

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $0.07 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $80.13 to $80.20 (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

    $80.13changed to$80.20

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.75 changed to 0.73
    • Practice expense RVU 1.38 changed to 1.35
    • Work GPCI 1.065 changed to 1.064
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.195 changed to 1.182
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.462 changed to 1.442

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $82.46changed to$80.13

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $81.11changed to$82.46

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $83.81changed to$81.11

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 1.35 changed to 1.38
    • Work GPCI 1.061 changed to 1.065
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.212 changed to 1.195
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.061 changed to 1.462
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $84.92changed to$83.81

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 1.31 changed to 1.35
    • Work GPCI 1.056 changed to 1.061
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.228 changed to 1.212
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.661 changed to 2.061

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $84.34changed to$84.92

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 1.28 changed to 1.31

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $83.27changed to$84.34

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 1.21 changed to 1.28
    • Work GPCI 1.054 changed to 1.056
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.214 changed to 1.228
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.391 changed to 2.661

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $81.33changed to$83.27

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 1.17 changed to 1.21
    • Malpractice RVU 0.03 changed to 0.02
    • Work GPCI 1.052 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.200 changed to 1.214
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.121 changed to 2.391

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $81.24changed to$81.33

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $80.59changed to$81.24

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 1.16 changed to 1.17
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.151 changed to 2.121

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $85.97changed to$80.59

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 1.29 changed to 1.16
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.199 changed to 1.200
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.181 changed to 2.151

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $84.64changed to$85.97

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 1.27 changed to 1.29
    • Malpractice RVU 0.02 changed to 0.03

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $84.21changed to$84.64

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $81.17changed to$84.21

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 1.20 changed to 1.27
    • Work GPCI 1.057 changed to 1.052
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.197 changed to 1.199
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.836 changed to 2.181

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $80.56changed to$81.17

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 1.29 changed to 1.20
    • Work GPCI 1.062 changed to 1.057
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.195 changed to 1.197
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.491 changed to 1.836

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $80.56

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$80.20Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$80.20Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$80.20Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$80.20Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$80.13Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$80.13Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$80.13Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$80.13Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$82.46Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$82.46Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$82.46Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$82.46Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$81.11Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$83.81Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$83.81Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$83.81Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$83.81Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$84.92Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$84.92Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$84.92Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$84.92Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$84.34Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$84.34Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$84.34Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$84.34Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$83.27Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$83.27Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$83.27Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$83.27Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$81.33Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$81.33Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$81.33Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$81.33Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$81.24Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$81.24Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$81.24Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$81.24Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$80.59Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$80.59Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$80.59Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$80.59Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$85.97Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$85.97Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$85.97Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$85.97Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$84.64Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$84.64Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$84.21Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$84.21Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$81.17Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$81.17Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$81.17Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$81.17Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$80.56Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$80.56Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$80.56Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$80.56Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 88305 for an earlier date of service

Where the Queens, NY rate applies

Queens, NY is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 1 cities and communities in New York. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

Browse all communities in New York

88305 billing questions

How many units are reported when a patient has several biopsies?

Report one unit for each separately submitted specimen, such as biopsies from different colon sites submitted in distinct containers. Multiple pieces of tissue submitted together as one specimen count as one unit.

When is modifier 26 appended?

Append 26 when the pathologist bills only the interpretation, such as when a hospital laboratory processes the slides. The entity billing only the technical work uses TC; an entity billing both components uses no component modifier.

Are special stains or immunostains included?

Routine H&E staining is included. Separately performed and documented special stains (88312, 88313), immunohistochemistry (88342, 88341), or decalcification (88311) may be reported when medically necessary.

How is a Medicare prostate needle biopsy reported?

Report one unit of G0416 for the prostate needle biopsy case, regardless of the number of cores or specimens, rather than per-specimen 88305.

Can a skin cyst be billed at this level?

Skin cysts, tags, and debridements are assigned to Level III (88304). Select 88305 for skin biopsies and excisions classified at Level IV rather than assigning a level based on whether margins are assessed.

What documentation supports the level?

The report should identify each specimen separately, include gross findings and the microscopic diagnosis, and specify the anatomic site so the specimen type supports the Level IV assignment.

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 88305PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 11,206 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Queens, NYGPCI2026.csv, line 81 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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