CPT code 88311: Tissue decalcification, calcified tissue preparation2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in South 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 South Dakota, Medicare pays $19.26 for 88311 in the office.

$19.26Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
−2.3%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 South 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 South 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. South Dakota pays $19.26. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

88311 in South Dakota vs other payment areas
  1. South Dakota · this page$19.26
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$21.88+$2.62
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$22.22+$2.96
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$21.19+$1.93
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$20.68+$1.42
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$22.43+$3.17
  7. Alaska · Alaska$23.99+$4.73

Other areas in South 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 South 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

94

Locality
South Dakota
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
1.000
Malpractice
0.336
Office calculation for 88311 in South Dakota
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.23× 1.0000.2300
Practice expense0.34× 1.0000.3400
Malpractice0.02× 0.3360.0067
Total RVUs0.5767
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, South Dakota$19.26

Office: (0.23 × 1 + 0.34 × 1 + 0.02 × 0.336) × $33.4009 = $19.26

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 South Dakota

88311 · Office / nonfacility

$19.26

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $0.07 lower than on 2025-10-01, moving from $19.33 to $19.26 (0.4%).

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

    $19.33changed to$19.26

    • 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 0.382 changed to 0.336

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $19.89changed to$19.33

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $19.57changed to$19.89

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $20.24changed to$19.57

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.364 changed to 0.382
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $20.66changed to$20.24

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.347 changed to 0.364

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $20.83changed to$20.66

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $21.56changed to$20.83

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.368 changed to 0.347

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $21.54changed to$21.56

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.389 changed to 0.368

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $22.24changed to$21.54

    • 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

    $22.18changed to$22.24

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.395 changed to 0.389

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $21.41changed to$22.18

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 0.35 changed to 0.37
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.400 changed to 0.395

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $20.77changed to$21.41

    • 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

    $20.67changed to$20.77

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $20.00changed to$20.67

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 0.31 changed to 0.33
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.416 changed to 0.400

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $20.03changed to$20.00

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 0.34 changed to 0.31
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.432 changed to 0.416

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $20.03

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$19.26Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$19.26Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$19.26Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$19.26Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$19.33Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$19.33Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$19.33Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$19.33Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$19.89Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$19.89Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$19.89Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$19.89Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$19.57Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$20.24Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$20.24Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$20.24Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$20.24Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$20.66Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$20.66Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$20.66Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$20.66Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$20.83Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$20.83Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$20.83Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$20.83Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$21.56Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$21.56Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$21.56Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$21.56Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$21.54Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$21.54Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$21.54Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$21.54Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$22.24Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$22.24Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$22.24Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$22.24Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$22.18Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$22.18Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$22.18Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$22.18Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$21.41Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$21.41Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$21.41Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$21.41Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$20.77Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$20.77Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$20.67Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$20.67Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$20.00Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$20.00Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$20.00Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$20.00Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$20.03Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$20.03Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$20.03Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$20.03Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 88311 for an earlier date of service

Where the South Dakota rate applies

South Dakota is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 485 cities and communities in South Dakota. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Aberdeen
  • Agar
  • Agency Village
  • Akaska
  • Albee
  • Alcester
  • Alexandria
  • Allen

Browse all communities in South 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 South DakotaGPCI2026.csv, line 94 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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