CPT code 88309: Tissue pathology, level VI specimen2026 Medicare rate & RVUs

Medicare pays $413.50 for 88309 nationally in the office. Local office rates run $366.91–$562.97.

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

What 88309 covers

A pathologist examines a major resection specimen grossly and microscopically, assessing the removed tissue and relevant margins or associated structures. This level is used for specimen types classified as Level VI, including radical hysterectomy, radical prostatectomy, and radical mastectomy specimens. Hospital and independent pathology laboratories commonly perform the work on tissue removed during surgery.

Select the level by the specimen type and procedure, not simply because the diagnosis is cancer or the examination is complex. The surgical pathology report and requisition should identify the procedure and specimen, with findings supporting the examination performed. Medicare recognizes separate professional and technical components: modifier 26 reports the pathologist’s interpretation, modifier TC reports the technical work, and reporting without either modifier represents the global service.

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.

Where 88309 pays more and less

The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.

109 of 109 payment localities

88309 rates by state

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

How the 88309 rate is calculated

Each of 88309’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.

Payment rules and modifiers for 88309

The CMS indicators that decide how 88309 is paid alongside other services.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 26

88309 compared with similar codes

How to choose

88307Tissue pathology examLevel V specimen

88307 applies to specimen types designated Level V. 88309 applies to Level VI specimens, including radical hysterectomy and radical prostatectomy specimens.

88305Tissue pathology examLevel IV specimen

88305 is the Level IV examination for its assigned specimen types, often biopsies or smaller excisions. 88309 is reserved for designated Level VI radical resection specimens.

88300Gross pathologyGross examination only

88300 covers gross examination only. 88309 represents a Level VI examination that includes gross and microscopic work.

Codes related to 88309

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

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

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates