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

Reports gross and microscopic examination of designated Level VI radical resection specimens, commonly including major oncologic resections such as radical hysterectomy.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality127.8K Medicare services in 2024

In Alaska, Medicare pays $478.33 for 88309 in the office.

$478.33Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
+15.7%vs the national office rate ($413.50)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 88309 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 88309 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Alaska
  2. What 88309 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 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.

How Alaska compares for 88309

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 88309 runs from $366.91 in Arkansas to $562.97 in San Benito County, CA. Alaska pays $478.33. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

88309 in Alaska vs other payment areas
  1. Alaska · this page$478.33
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$474.49−$3.84
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$475.58−$2.75
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$431.69−$46.64
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$420.06−$58.27
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$472.97−$5.36
  7. Alabama · Alabama$372.18−$106.15

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

Every other payment area

88309 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$366.91—
ArizonaArizona$403.13—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$444.55—
Chico, CACalifornia$444.13—
El Centro, CACalifornia$444.14—
Fresno, CACalifornia$444.13—
Hanford, CACalifornia$444.13—
Madera, CACalifornia$444.13—

88309 rates by state

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

MEWIVTNHMTNDMNMINYMARIWAIDWYSDIAILINOHPANJCTORNVUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDECAAZNMKSOKARTNNCSCDCTXLAMSALGAFLAKHI

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.

$366.91

$503.55

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

View every state and territory as a table
88309 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$478.331
AL$372.181
AR$366.911
AZ$403.131
CA$444.13–$562.9729
CO$434.281
CT$440.591
DC$475.581
DE$409.791
FL$401.15–$431.693
GA$379.69–$419.552
GU$455.801
HI$455.801
IA$384.381
ID$386.221
IL$387.63–$425.334
IN$388.501
KS$381.221
KY$377.811
LA$376.68–$395.142
MA$431.19–$478.762
MD$417.97–$475.583
ME$386.72–$409.402
MI$386.18–$404.632
MN$420.401
MO$369.40–$398.203
MS$368.291
MT$413.501
NC$390.931
ND$411.521
NE$386.861
NH$426.161
NJ$446.82–$470.512
NM$387.701
NV$413.261
NY$396.56–$482.495
OH$385.781
OK$378.631
OR$411.24–$449.512
PA$387.16–$428.872
PR$416.961
RI$425.401
SC$388.761
SD$411.291
TN$382.931
TX$384.56–$431.818
UT$394.021
VA$407.10–$475.582
VI$416.961
VT$408.661
WA$430.80–$489.862
WI$397.791
WV$373.161
WY$412.631

See 88309 in every payment locality

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.

How the rate is built · 88309

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work2.73

2.73 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense9.55

9.55 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.10

0.10 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

12.3800

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$413.50

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

The exact Alaska inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

11,212

Code
88309
Physician work
2.73
Practice expense
9.55
Malpractice
0.10

GPCI2026.csv

5

Locality
Alaska
Physician work
1.500
Practice expense
1.065
Malpractice
0.551
Office calculation for 88309 in Alaska
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work2.73× 1.5004.0950
Practice expense9.55× 1.06510.1707
Malpractice0.10× 0.5510.0551
Total RVUs14.3209
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Alaska$478.33

Office: (2.73 × 1.5 + 9.55 × 1.065 + 0.1 × 0.551) × $33.4009 = $478.33

Open 88309 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 88309

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

CMS payment indicators · 88309

Tissue pathology, level VI 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

88309 without 26 · national office

$413.50

Tissue pathology, level VI specimen

88309-26 · Professional component

$134.61

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

Codes related to 88309

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

Codes related to 88309
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Alaska
Same family
88307Tissue pathology exam, level V specimenLevel V surgical pathology examination for specimen types assigned to that level.$317.28
88305Tissue pathology exam, level IV specimenLevel IV surgical pathology examination for specimen types assigned to that level.$84.96
88304Tissue pathology exam, level III specimenLevel III surgical pathology examination for specimen types assigned to that level.$46.46
88302Tissue pathology, level II specimenLevel II surgical pathology examination for specimen types assigned to that level.$36.05

How 88309 has changed in Alaska

88309 · Office / nonfacility

$478.33

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $7.32 lower than on 2025-10-01, moving from $485.65 to $478.33 (1.5%).

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

    $485.65changed to$478.33

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 2.80 changed to 2.73
    • Practice expense RVU 9.96 changed to 9.55
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.10
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.081 changed to 1.065
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.592 changed to 0.551

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $504.66changed to$485.65

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 10.09 changed to 9.96
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.08

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $496.42changed to$504.66

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $522.31changed to$496.42

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 10.15 changed to 10.09
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.09
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.100 changed to 1.081
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.603 changed to 0.592

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $529.13changed to$522.31

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 9.87 changed to 10.15
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.08
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.118 changed to 1.100
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.614 changed to 0.603

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $529.61changed to$529.13

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 9.77 changed to 9.87

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $515.41changed to$529.61

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 8.97 changed to 9.77
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.09
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.661 changed to 0.614

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $501.32changed to$515.41

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 8.63 changed to 8.97
    • Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.08
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.117 changed to 1.118
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.708 changed to 0.661

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $495.14changed to$501.32

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 8.49 changed to 8.63

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $497.69changed to$495.14

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 8.63 changed to 8.49
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.112 changed to 1.117
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.710 changed to 0.708

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $562.76changed to$497.69

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 10.34 changed to 8.63
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.107 changed to 1.112
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.712 changed to 0.710

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $555.27changed to$562.76

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 10.12 changed to 10.34
    • Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.10

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $552.51changed to$555.27

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $516.86changed to$552.51

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 9.34 changed to 10.12
    • Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.07
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.087 changed to 1.107
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.687 changed to 0.712

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $519.29changed to$516.86

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 10.30 changed to 9.34
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.067 changed to 1.087
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.661 changed to 0.687

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $519.29

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$478.33Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$478.33Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$478.33Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$478.33Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$485.65Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$485.65Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$485.65Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$485.65Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$504.66Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$504.66Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$504.66Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$504.66Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$496.42Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$522.31Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$522.31Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$522.31Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$522.31Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$529.13Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$529.13Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$529.13Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$529.13Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$529.61Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$529.61Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$529.61Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$529.61Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$515.41Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$515.41Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$515.41Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$515.41Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$501.32Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$501.32Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$501.32Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$501.32Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$495.14Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$495.14Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$495.14Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$495.14Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$497.69Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$497.69Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$497.69Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$497.69Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$562.76Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$562.76Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$562.76Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$562.76Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$555.27Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$555.27Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$552.51Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$552.51Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$516.86Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$516.86Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$516.86Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$516.86Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$519.29Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$519.29Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$519.29Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$519.29Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 88309 for an earlier date of service

Where the Alaska rate applies

Alaska is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 355 cities and communities in Alaska. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Adak
  • Akhiok
  • Akiachak
  • Akiak
  • Akutan
  • Alakanuk
  • Alatna
  • Alcan Border

Browse all communities in Alaska

88309 billing questions

How does 88309 differ from 88307?

Use 88309 for specimen types designated Level VI, such as radical hysterectomy or radical prostatectomy specimens. Use 88307 when the specimen type is designated Level V; the diagnosis or perceived complexity alone does not determine the level.

Does a cancer diagnosis by itself support 88309?

No. Choose the code from the specimen type and operation performed. A malignancy diagnosis does not automatically make an examination Level VI.

When should modifier 26 or TC be reported?

Use modifier 26 for the professional interpretation and modifier TC for the technical service. Without either modifier, the claim represents the global service.

What documentation supports this level?

The requisition and pathology report should identify the specimen and the operation performed, such as a radical hysterectomy. The report should document the gross and microscopic examination.

Can special stains be reported with 88309?

A special-stain service is distinct from the Level VI tissue examination and may be reported separately when the applicable code requirements are met. The tissue examination code alone does not establish that a stain service was 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

Show the CMS file lines behind this rate
RVUs for 88309PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 11,212 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for AlaskaGPCI2026.csv, line 5 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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