CPT code 88311: Tissue decalcification, calcified tissue preparation2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in North Dakota

Reports laboratory decalcification that removes mineral from bone or other calcified tissue so the specimen can be sectioned for microscopic examination.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality558.1K Medicare services in 2024

In North Dakota, Medicare pays $19.31 for 88311 in the office.

$19.31Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
−2.0%vs the national office rate ($19.71)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 88311 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 88311 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in North Dakota
  2. What 88311 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 88311 covers

A histology laboratory decalcifies bone and other calcified tissue by removing mineral that would prevent the specimen from being cut into thin sections. This preparation may be needed for a bone biopsy, a bone-containing tumor specimen, or another calcified tissue sample before microscopic evaluation. Laboratory personnel generally perform the processing; a pathologist interprets the resulting tissue examination as part of the diagnostic workup.

Report 88311 when decalcification is performed, alongside the applicable surgical pathology examination when that specimen is also examined. The record should identify the specimen and support why decalcification was needed; the pathology report documents the diagnostic examination. CMS recognizes professional and technical components: modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, modifier TC identifies the technical work, and billing without either modifier represents the global service. The professional and technical components are separately priced.

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 North Dakota compares for 88311

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 88311 runs from $17.78 in Arkansas to $25.26 in San Benito County, CA. North Dakota pays $19.31. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

88311 in North Dakota vs other payment areas
  1. North Dakota · this page$19.31
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$21.88+$2.57
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$22.22+$2.91
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$21.19+$1.88
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$20.68+$1.37
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$22.43+$3.12
  7. Alaska · Alaska$23.99+$4.68

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

Every other payment area

88311 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$18.00—
ArkansasArkansas$17.78—
ArizonaArizona$19.26—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$20.68—
Chico, CACalifornia$20.62—
El Centro, CACalifornia$20.62—
Fresno, CACalifornia$20.62—
Hanford, CACalifornia$20.62—

88311 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.

$17.78

$23.99

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

View every state and territory as a table
88311 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$23.991
AL$18.001
AR$17.781
AZ$19.261
CA$20.62–$25.2629
CO$20.381
CT$20.871
DC$22.221
DE$19.541
FL$19.54–$21.193
GA$18.61–$20.052
GU$20.981
HI$20.981
IA$18.341
ID$18.451
IL$19.09–$20.684
IN$18.531
KS$18.281
KY$18.391
LA$18.37–$19.132
MA$20.30–$22.152
MD$19.86–$22.223
ME$18.55–$19.362
MI$18.80–$19.772
MN$19.571
MO$18.12–$19.163
MS$17.951
MT$19.711
NC$18.701
ND$19.311
NE$18.421
NH$20.091
NJ$21.12–$22.052
NM$18.901
NV$19.611
NY$18.94–$22.925
OH$18.721
OK$18.341
OR$19.46–$20.922
PA$18.74–$20.442
PR$19.821
RI$20.161
SC$18.741
SD$19.261
TN$18.361
TX$18.64–$20.308
UT$18.961
VA$19.32–$22.222
VI$19.821
VT$19.261
WA$20.25–$22.552
WI$18.771
WV$18.511
WY$19.531

See 88311 in every payment locality

How the 88311 rate is calculated

Each of 88311’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 · 88311

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.23

0.23 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense0.34

0.34 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.02

0.02 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

0.5900

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$19.71

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

The exact North Dakota inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

11,215

Code
88311
Physician work
0.23
Practice expense
0.34
Malpractice
0.02

GPCI2026.csv

84

Locality
North Dakota
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
1.000
Malpractice
0.406
Office calculation for 88311 in North Dakota
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.23× 1.0000.2300
Practice expense0.34× 1.0000.3400
Malpractice0.02× 0.4060.0081
Total RVUs0.5781
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, North Dakota$19.31

Office: (0.23 × 1 + 0.34 × 1 + 0.02 × 0.406) × $33.4009 = $19.31

Open 88311 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 88311

The CMS indicators that decide how 88311 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 88311

Tissue decalcification, calcified tissue preparation

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

88311 without 26 · national office

$19.71

Tissue decalcification, calcified tissue preparation

88311-26 · Professional component

$11.36

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

How 88311 has changed in North Dakota

88311 · Office / nonfacility

$19.31

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $0.11 lower than on 2025-10-01, moving from $19.42 to $19.31 (0.6%).

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

    $19.42changed to$19.31

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.24 changed to 0.23
    • Practice expense RVU 0.35 changed to 0.34
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.517 changed to 0.406

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $19.98changed to$19.42

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $19.66changed to$19.98

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $20.31changed to$19.66

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.474 changed to 0.517
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $20.72changed to$20.31

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.431 changed to 0.474

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $20.89changed to$20.72

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $21.64changed to$20.89

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.485 changed to 0.431

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $21.65changed to$21.64

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.540 changed to 0.485

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $22.35changed to$21.65

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 0.37 changed to 0.35

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $22.28changed to$22.35

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.547 changed to 0.540

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $21.52changed to$22.28

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 0.35 changed to 0.37
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.554 changed to 0.547

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $20.88changed to$21.52

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 0.33 changed to 0.35

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $20.78changed to$20.88

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $20.09changed to$20.78

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 0.31 changed to 0.33
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.536 changed to 0.554

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $20.09changed to$20.09

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 0.34 changed to 0.31
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.517 changed to 0.536

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $20.09

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$19.31Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$19.31Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$19.31Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$19.31Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$19.42Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$19.42Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$19.42Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$19.42Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$19.98Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$19.98Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$19.98Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$19.98Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$19.66Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$20.31Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$20.31Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$20.31Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$20.31Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$20.72Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$20.72Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$20.72Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$20.72Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$20.89Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$20.89Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$20.89Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$20.89Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$21.64Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$21.64Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$21.64Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$21.64Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$21.65Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$21.65Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$21.65Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$21.65Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$22.35Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$22.35Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$22.35Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$22.35Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$22.28Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$22.28Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$22.28Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$22.28Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$21.52Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$21.52Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$21.52Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$21.52Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$20.88Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$20.88Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$20.78Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$20.78Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$20.09Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$20.09Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$20.09Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$20.09Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$20.09Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$20.09Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$20.09Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$20.09Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 88311 for an earlier date of service

Where the North Dakota rate applies

North Dakota is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 406 cities and communities in North Dakota. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Abercrombie
  • Adams
  • Alamo
  • Alexander
  • Alice
  • Almont
  • Alsen
  • Ambrose

Browse all communities in North Dakota

88311 billing questions

Is 88311 the surgical pathology examination of the specimen?

No. It reports decalcification preparation; the surgical pathology code represents the examination and diagnostic work on the specimen.

Can 88311 be reported with a surgical pathology code?

Yes, when decalcification is performed and the same specimen also receives a surgical pathology examination. Select the examination code for the specimen and service documented.

Which modifier identifies the pathologist's work?

Modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation. Modifier TC identifies the technical work, and no modifier represents the global service.

What should the record support?

Document the tissue specimen, the decalcification performed, and the associated microscopic examination when one is reported. The pathology report should support the diagnostic work.

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 88311PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 11,215 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for North DakotaGPCI2026.csv, line 84 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

Did this answer your question about what 88311 pays in North Dakota?

Tell us what you were actually trying to work out. We’ll answer you directly, or build the page that does.

Fee sheets · Coming soon

Put 88311 and the rest of your codes on one sheet

Your codes at your locality, with payer contracts beside Medicare.

Join the waitlist