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

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 Utah, Medicare pays $394.02 for 88309 in the office.

$394.02Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
−4.7%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 Utah
  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 Utah 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. Utah pays $394.02. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

88309 in Utah vs other payment areas
  1. Utah · this page$394.02
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$474.49+$80.47
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$475.58+$81.56
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$431.69+$37.67
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$420.06+$26.04
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$472.97+$78.95
  7. Alaska · Alaska$478.33+$84.31

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

Every other payment area

88309 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$372.18—
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—

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 Utah 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

104

Locality
Utah
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.940
Malpractice
0.898
Office calculation for 88309 in Utah
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work2.73× 1.0002.7300
Practice expense9.55× 0.9408.9770
Malpractice0.10× 0.8980.0898
Total RVUs11.7968
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Utah$394.02

Office: (2.73 × 1 + 9.55 × 0.94 + 0.1 × 0.898) × $33.4009 = $394.02

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, Utah
Same family
88307Tissue pathology exam, level V specimenLevel V surgical pathology examination for specimen types assigned to that level.$264.23
88305Tissue pathology exam, level IV specimenLevel IV surgical pathology examination for specimen types assigned to that level.$67.37
88304Tissue pathology exam, level III specimenLevel III surgical pathology examination for specimen types assigned to that level.$39.01
88302Tissue pathology, level II specimenLevel II surgical pathology examination for specimen types assigned to that level.$30.69

How 88309 has changed in Utah

88309 · Office / nonfacility

$394.02

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $0.46 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $393.56 to $394.02 (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

    $393.56changed to$394.02

    • 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 0.933 changed to 0.940
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.930 changed to 0.898

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $409.36changed to$393.56

    • 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

    $402.68changed to$409.36

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $415.73changed to$402.68

    • 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 0.926 changed to 0.933
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.865 changed to 0.930

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $413.28changed to$415.73

    • 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 0.919 changed to 0.926
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.799 changed to 0.865

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $413.50changed to$413.28

    • 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

    $402.68changed to$413.50

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.923 changed to 0.919
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.982 changed to 0.799

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $393.42changed to$402.68

    • 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 0.927 changed to 0.923
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.165 changed to 0.982

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $388.32changed to$393.42

    • 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

    $391.17changed to$388.32

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 8.63 changed to 8.49
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.925 changed to 0.927
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.167 changed to 1.165

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $445.78changed to$391.17

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 10.34 changed to 8.63
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.922 changed to 0.925
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.169 changed to 1.167

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $438.84changed to$445.78

    • 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

    $436.65changed to$438.84

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $412.26changed to$436.65

    • 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 0.919 changed to 0.922
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.136 changed to 1.169

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $420.39changed to$412.26

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 10.30 changed to 9.34
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.916 changed to 0.919
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.102 changed to 1.136

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $420.39

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$394.02Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$394.02Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$394.02Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$394.02Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$393.56Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$393.56Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$393.56Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$393.56Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$409.36Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$409.36Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$409.36Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$409.36Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$402.68Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$415.73Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$415.73Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$415.73Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$415.73Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$413.28Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$413.28Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$413.28Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$413.28Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$413.50Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$413.50Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$413.50Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$413.50Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$402.68Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$402.68Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$402.68Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$402.68Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$393.42Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$393.42Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$393.42Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$393.42Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$388.32Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$388.32Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$388.32Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$388.32Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$391.17Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$391.17Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$391.17Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$391.17Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$445.78Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$445.78Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$445.78Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$445.78Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$438.84Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$438.84Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$436.65Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$436.65Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$412.26Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$412.26Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$412.26Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$412.26Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$420.39Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$420.39Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$420.39Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$420.39Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 88309 for an earlier date of service

Where the Utah rate applies

Utah is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 334 cities and communities in Utah. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Alpine
  • Alta
  • Altamont
  • Alton
  • Amalga
  • American Fork
  • Aneth
  • Annabella

Browse all communities in Utah

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 UtahGPCI2026.csv, line 104 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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