CPT code 88312: Special stain, group I, microorganisms2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Fort Worth, TX

Report a Group I histochemical stain for each stain performed on a specimen to help identify microorganisms in tissue, with interpretation and a report.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality1.4M Medicare services in 2024

In Fort Worth, TX, Medicare pays $108.31 for 88312 in the office.

$108.31Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
−1.1%vs the national office rate ($109.55)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 88312 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 88312 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Fort Worth, TX
  2. What 88312 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 88312 covers

A Group I special stain helps a pathologist identify microorganisms in tissue when routine H&E examination is insufficient. Examples include Gram stain for bacteria, acid-fast stains for mycobacteria, and GMS for fungi. Giemsa or Warthin-Starry may be used to evaluate a gastric biopsy for Helicobacter pylori. Histology staff prepare the stained sections, and a pathologist interprets and reports the findings, commonly alongside a surgical pathology examination. The work may be performed in an independent laboratory or hospital pathology department.

Report one unit for each stain on each separate specimen, rather than for each block, section, or slide. Additional slides or repeats of the same stain on the same specimen do not create additional units. Documentation should identify the specimen, each stain performed, and its interpretation. Modifier TC identifies the staining work, including staff, supplies, and equipment; modifier 26 identifies the pathologist's interpretation. When one billing entity provides both components, report the global service without either component modifier.

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 Fort Worth, TX compares for 88312

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 88312 runs from $96.26 in Arkansas to $151.19 in San Benito County, CA. Fort Worth, TX pays $108.31. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

88312 in Fort Worth, TX vs other payment areas
  1. Fort Worth, TX · this page$108.31
  2. Austin, TX · Texas$114.75+$6.44
  3. Beaumont, TX · Texas$101.31−$7.00
  4. Brazoria, TX · Texas$108.66+$0.35
  5. Dallas, TX · Texas$109.21+$0.90
  6. Galveston, TX · Texas$108.89+$0.58
  7. Houston, TX · Texas$109.44+$1.13

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

Every other payment area

88312 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Rest of TexasTexas$104.82—
Los Angeles, CACalifornia$126.57—
Washington, DC areaDistrict of Columbia$126.80—
Miami, FLFlorida$114.81—
Chicago, ILIllinois$111.43—
Manhattan, NYNew York$125.99—
AlaskaAlaska$123.86—
AlabamaAlabama$97.76—

88312 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.

$96.26

$134.65

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

View every state and territory as a table
88312 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$123.861
AL$97.761
AR$96.261
AZ$106.591
CA$118.11–$151.1929
CO$115.361
CT$117.111
DC$126.801
DE$108.451
FL$106.06–$114.813
GA$99.94–$111.262
GU$121.581
HI$121.581
IA$101.231
ID$101.761
IL$102.22–$112.914
IN$102.411
KS$100.341
KY$99.391
LA$99.07–$104.332
MA$114.45–$127.802
MD$110.74–$126.803
ME$101.91–$108.372
MI$101.78–$107.062
MN$111.481
MO$96.99–$105.203
MS$96.671
MT$109.551
NC$103.111
ND$108.961
NE$101.941
NH$113.151
NJ$118.72–$125.272
NM$102.221
NV$109.481
NY$104.71–$128.725
OH$101.661
OK$99.611
OR$108.89–$119.672
PA$102.05–$113.792
PR$110.541
RI$112.781
SC$102.501
SD$108.891
TN$100.821
TX$101.31–$114.758
UT$104.001
VA$107.72–$126.802
VI$110.541
VT$108.151
WA$114.36–$130.882
WI$105.051
WV$98.091
WY$109.291

See 88312 in every payment locality

How the 88312 rate is calculated

Each of 88312’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 · 88312

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.53

0.53 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense2.72

2.72 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.03

0.03 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

3.2800

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$109.55

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

The exact Fort Worth, TX inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

11,218

Code
88312
Physician work
0.53
Practice expense
2.72
Malpractice
0.03

GPCI2026.csv

100

Locality
Fort Worth, TX
Physician work
1.009
Practice expense
0.986
Malpractice
0.871
Office calculation for 88312 in Fort Worth, TX
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.53× 1.0090.5348
Practice expense2.72× 0.9862.6819
Malpractice0.03× 0.8710.0261
Total RVUs3.2428
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Fort Worth, TX$108.31

Office: (0.53 × 1.009 + 2.72 × 0.986 + 0.03 × 0.871) × $33.4009 = $108.31

Open 88312 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 88312

The CMS indicators that decide how 88312 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 88312

Special stain, group I, microorganisms

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

88312 without 26 · national office

$109.55

Special stain, group I, microorganisms

88312-26 · Professional component

$25.05

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

How 88312 has changed in Fort Worth, TX

88312 · Office / nonfacility

$108.31

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $0.03 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $108.28 to $108.31 (0.0%).

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

    $108.28changed to$108.31

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.54 changed to 0.53
    • Practice expense RVU 2.78 changed to 2.72
    • Work GPCI 1.011 changed to 1.009
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.998 changed to 0.986
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.902 changed to 0.871

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $112.46changed to$108.28

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 2.82 changed to 2.78
    • Malpractice RVU 0.02 changed to 0.03

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $110.62changed to$112.46

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $113.19changed to$110.62

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 2.79 changed to 2.82
    • Work GPCI 1.013 changed to 1.011
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.996 changed to 0.998
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.721 changed to 0.902
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $114.05changed to$113.19

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 2.75 changed to 2.79
    • Work GPCI 1.016 changed to 1.013
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.995 changed to 0.996
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.539 changed to 0.721

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $112.57changed to$114.05

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 2.68 changed to 2.75

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $106.36changed to$112.57

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 2.41 changed to 2.68
    • Work GPCI 1.011 changed to 1.016
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.991 changed to 0.995
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.643 changed to 0.539

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $100.80changed to$106.36

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 2.27 changed to 2.41
    • Work GPCI 1.007 changed to 1.011
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.986 changed to 0.991
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.747 changed to 0.643

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $98.20changed to$100.80

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 2.20 changed to 2.27

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $99.00changed to$98.20

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 2.22 changed to 2.20
    • Work GPCI 1.006 changed to 1.007
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.991 changed to 0.986
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.760 changed to 0.747

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $98.36changed to$99.00

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 2.20 changed to 2.22
    • Work GPCI 1.005 changed to 1.006
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.995 changed to 0.991
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.772 changed to 0.760

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $97.64changed to$98.36

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 2.17 changed to 2.20

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $97.16changed to$97.64

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $93.50changed to$97.16

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 2.08 changed to 2.17
    • Work GPCI 1.002 changed to 1.005
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.987 changed to 0.995
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.799 changed to 0.772

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $95.88changed to$93.50

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 2.31 changed to 2.08
    • Work GPCI 1.000 changed to 1.002
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.979 changed to 0.987
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.826 changed to 0.799

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $95.88

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$108.31Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$108.31Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$108.31Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$108.31Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$108.28Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$108.28Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$108.28Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$108.28Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$112.46Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$112.46Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$112.46Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$112.46Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$110.62Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$113.19Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$113.19Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$113.19Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$113.19Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$114.05Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$114.05Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$114.05Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$114.05Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$112.57Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$112.57Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$112.57Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$112.57Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$106.36Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$106.36Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$106.36Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$106.36Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$100.80Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$100.80Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$100.80Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$100.80Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$98.20Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$98.20Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$98.20Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$98.20Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$99.00Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$99.00Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$99.00Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$99.00Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$98.36Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$98.36Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$98.36Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$98.36Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$97.64Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$97.64Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$97.16Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$97.16Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$93.50Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$93.50Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$93.50Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$93.50Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$95.88Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$95.88Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$95.88Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$95.88Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 88312 for an earlier date of service

Where the Fort Worth, TX rate applies

Fort Worth, TX is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 45 cities and communities in Texas. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

Browse all communities in Texas

88312 billing questions

How many units are reported when one stain is applied to several blocks from the same specimen?

Report one unit for that stain on that specimen. Additional blocks or slides bearing the same stain do not add units.

How do I choose between 88312 and 88313?

Choose 88312 for a histochemical stain used to identify microorganisms, such as an acid-fast stain or GMS for fungi. Choose 88313 for stains directed at non-organism tissue features, such as iron or reticulin.

Is a distinct-specimen modifier required when the same stain is performed on two specimens?

Report a unit for each separate specimen. Do not append modifier 59 or XS solely because there are two specimens; use a distinct-service modifier only when needed to identify separate work under an applicable edit.

When are modifiers 26 and TC used?

The pathologist billing only the interpretation uses modifier 26; the entity billing only the staining work uses modifier TC. An entity billing both components reports the global service without either modifier.

Is routine H&E staining separately reported with 88312?

No. Routine H&E staining used for microscopic surgical pathology examination is included in that examination. Report 88312 for a separately performed, interpreted Group I special stain.

Does a PAS stain always qualify for 88312?

No. PAS used to look for fungi is a Group I organism stain; PAS used to evaluate a noninfectious feature, such as glycogen or basement membranes, is reported with 88313.

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 88312PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 11,218 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Fort Worth, TXGPCI2026.csv, line 100 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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