CPT code 88321: Slide consultation, outside-prepared slides2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Madera, CA
A pathologist reviews slides prepared by another laboratory and issues a consultation report, commonly for an outside second opinion on biopsy or resection findings.
In Madera, CA, Medicare pays $97.36 for 88321 in the office and $68.44 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 88321 nationwide
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
On this page 11 sections
What 88321 covers
A pathologist examines slides that another laboratory has already prepared and provides an interpretive consultation report. A common situation is a treating clinician requesting an outside review of biopsy or resection slides before deciding on diagnosis or treatment. The service is performed by a pathologist in a hospital, reference laboratory, or other pathology practice; it is not the preparation of new slides from submitted tissue.
Select this code when the consultation is based on slides prepared elsewhere. The report should identify the material reviewed and document the pathologist’s interpretation and conclusions. Use a different consultation code when the referred material requires preparation or when the service involves a broader review of records and specimens. This code represents the slide-review consultation, rather than the original laboratory’s tissue examination or a stain 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 Madera, CA compares for 88321
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 88321 runs from $87.31 in Arkansas to $121.86 in Alaska. Madera, CA pays $97.36. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Madera, CA · this page$97.36
- Bakersfield, CA · California$97.64+$0.28
- Chico, CA · California$97.36
- El Centro, CA · California$97.37+$0.01
- Fresno, CA · California$97.36
- Hanford, CA · California$97.36
- Los Angeles, CA · California$102.28+$4.92
Other areas in California first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Merced, CACalifornia | $97.36 | $68.44 |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $97.36 | $68.44 |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $108.27 | $73.49 |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $101.45 | $70.26 |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $97.36 | $68.44 |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $97.36 | $68.44 |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $98.16 | $69.24 |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $100.94 | $70.26 |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $100.53 | $69.94 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $101.91 | $70.35 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $113.39 | $76.18 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $113.31 | $76.10 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $115.59 | $77.54 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $115.27 | $77.22 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $99.01 | $68.96 |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $102.15 | $70.09 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $100.63 | $69.87 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $103.12 | $70.72 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $97.36 | $68.44 |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $108.15 | $73.37 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $97.36 | $68.44 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $97.36 | $68.44 |
| Washington, DC areaDistrict of Columbia | $103.83 | $72.74 |
| Miami, FLFlorida | $99.01 | $71.54 |
| Chicago, ILIllinois | $97.45 | $70.93 |
| Manhattan, NYNew York | $104.85 | $74.19 |
| AlaskaAlaska | $121.86 | $93.76 |
| AlabamaAlabama | $88.04 | $64.95 |
| ArkansasArkansas | $87.31 | $64.64 |
| ArizonaArizona | $92.33 | $66.76 |
| ColoradoColorado | $96.44 | $68.36 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $98.37 | $69.95 |
| DelawareDelaware | $93.42 | $67.35 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $96.25 | $69.52 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $93.34 | $68.12 |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $95.10 | $68.29 |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $90.16 | $66.62 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $98.13 | $68.13 |
| IowaIowa | $89.18 | $65.04 |
| IdahoIdaho | $89.55 | $65.28 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $93.15 | $68.88 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $91.83 | $67.74 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $97.07 | $69.97 |
| IndianaIndiana | $89.85 | $65.39 |
| KansasKansas | $89.01 | $65.16 |
| KentuckyKentucky | $89.39 | $65.94 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $91.91 | $67.08 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $89.34 | $65.99 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $103.23 | $71.72 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $96.27 | $68.48 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $98.06 | $69.75 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $94.66 | $67.95 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $89.90 | $65.62 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $92.65 | $66.50 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $94.12 | $68.65 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $90.82 | $66.73 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $93.32 | $66.17 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $91.46 | $66.68 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $92.02 | $66.90 |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $88.50 | $65.75 |
| MississippiMississippi | $87.91 | $65.19 |
| MontanaMontana | $93.85 | $67.47 |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $90.44 | $65.82 |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $92.47 | $66.08 |
| NebraskaNebraska | $89.44 | $65.09 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $95.14 | $67.67 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $103.51 | $72.90 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $99.74 | $70.93 |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $91.14 | $66.94 |
| NevadaNevada | $93.50 | $67.09 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $106.52 | $75.15 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $100.39 | $71.49 |
| Queens, NYNew York | $105.28 | $74.09 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $91.24 | $66.17 |
| OhioOhio | $90.53 | $66.44 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $89.23 | $65.66 |
| Portland, OROregon | $98.37 | $69.06 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $93.01 | $66.73 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $96.84 | $69.37 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $90.58 | $66.36 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $94.24 | $67.57 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $95.88 | $68.62 |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $90.59 | $66.21 |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $92.30 | $65.92 |
| TennesseeTennessee | $89.28 | $65.29 |
| Austin, TXTexas | $95.92 | $68.01 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $90.23 | $66.22 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $93.42 | $67.27 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $93.85 | $67.57 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $93.50 | $67.48 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $93.61 | $67.41 |
| Houston, TXTexas | $94.89 | $68.69 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $91.67 | $66.63 |
| UtahUtah | $91.31 | $66.51 |
| VirginiaVirginia | $92.52 | $66.58 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $94.24 | $67.57 |
| VermontVermont | $92.32 | $66.19 |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $96.02 | $68.24 |
| King County, WAWashington | $104.80 | $72.43 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $90.63 | $65.35 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $89.83 | $66.90 |
| WyomingWyoming | $93.25 | $66.86 |
88321 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.
$87.31
$121.86
Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.
View every state and territory as a table
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $121.86 | 1 |
| AL | $88.04 | 1 |
| AR | $87.31 | 1 |
| AZ | $92.33 | 1 |
| CA | $97.36–$115.59 | 29 |
| CO | $96.44 | 1 |
| CT | $98.37 | 1 |
| DC | $103.83 | 1 |
| DE | $93.42 | 1 |
| FL | $93.34–$99.01 | 3 |
| GA | $90.16–$95.10 | 2 |
| GU | $98.13 | 1 |
| HI | $98.13 | 1 |
| IA | $89.18 | 1 |
| ID | $89.55 | 1 |
| IL | $91.83–$97.45 | 4 |
| IN | $89.85 | 1 |
| KS | $89.01 | 1 |
| KY | $89.39 | 1 |
| LA | $89.34–$91.91 | 2 |
| MA | $96.27–$103.23 | 2 |
| MD | $94.66–$103.83 | 3 |
| ME | $89.90–$92.65 | 2 |
| MI | $90.82–$94.12 | 2 |
| MN | $93.32 | 1 |
| MO | $88.50–$92.02 | 3 |
| MS | $87.91 | 1 |
| MT | $93.85 | 1 |
| NC | $90.44 | 1 |
| ND | $92.47 | 1 |
| NE | $89.44 | 1 |
| NH | $95.14 | 1 |
| NJ | $99.74–$103.51 | 2 |
| NM | $91.14 | 1 |
| NV | $93.50 | 1 |
| NY | $91.24–$106.52 | 5 |
| OH | $90.53 | 1 |
| OK | $89.23 | 1 |
| OR | $93.01–$98.37 | 2 |
| PA | $90.58–$96.84 | 2 |
| PR | $94.24 | 1 |
| RI | $95.88 | 1 |
| SC | $90.59 | 1 |
| SD | $92.30 | 1 |
| TN | $89.28 | 1 |
| TX | $90.23–$95.92 | 8 |
| UT | $91.31 | 1 |
| VA | $92.52–$103.83 | 2 |
| VI | $94.24 | 1 |
| VT | $92.32 | 1 |
| WA | $96.02–$104.80 | 2 |
| WI | $90.63 | 1 |
| WV | $89.83 | 1 |
| WY | $93.25 | 1 |
How the 88321 rate is calculated
Each of 88321’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 · 88321
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work1.59
1.59 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense1.15
1.15 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.07
0.07 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
2.8100
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$93.86
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact Madera, CA inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
11,230
- Code
- 88321
- Physician work
- 1.59
- Practice expense
- 1.15
- Malpractice
- 0.07
GPCI2026.csv
14
- Locality
- Madera, CA
- Physician work
- 1.017
- Practice expense
- 1.096
- Malpractice
- 0.536
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 1.59 | × 1.017 | 1.6170 |
| Practice expense | 1.15 | × 1.096 | 1.2604 |
| Malpractice | 0.07 | × 0.536 | 0.0375 |
| Total RVUs | 2.9150 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Madera, CA$97.36
Office: (1.59 × 1.017 + 1.15 × 1.096 + 0.07 × 0.536) × $33.4009 = $97.36
Facility: (1.59 × 1.017 + 0.36 × 1.096 + 0.07 × 0.536) × $33.4009 = $68.44
Payment rules and modifiers for 88321
88321 has no global surgery period, no multiple-procedure, bilateral or assistant-at-surgery adjustment, and no professional/technical split. What changes the payment is where the service happens: the place of service on the claim decides whether Medicare pays the office or the facility rate.
Place of service · 88321
Which rate does Medicare pay?
The POS code on the claim line (CMS-1500 box 24B).
POS 11 · non-facility rate · national
$93.86
- Non-facility (office)
- $93.86
- Facility
- $67.47
Higher because the practice carries its own overhead.
How 88321 has changed in Madera, CA
88321 · Office / nonfacility
$97.36
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $0.20 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $97.16 to $97.36 (0.2%).
It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.
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
January 1, 2026
RVU26A
$97.16changed to$97.36
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 1.63 changed to 1.59
- Practice expense RVU 1.20 changed to 1.15
- Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.017
- Practice expense GPCI 1.093 changed to 1.096
- Malpractice GPCI 0.560 changed to 0.536
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$99.44changed to$97.16
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 1.18 changed to 1.20
- Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.07
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$97.82changed to$99.44
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$100.38changed to$97.82
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 1.16 changed to 1.18
- Work GPCI 1.021 changed to 1.014
- Practice expense GPCI 1.079 changed to 1.093
- Malpractice GPCI 0.579 changed to 0.560
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$100.70changed to$100.38
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 1.11 changed to 1.16
- Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.08
- Work GPCI 1.027 changed to 1.021
- Practice expense GPCI 1.065 changed to 1.079
- Malpractice GPCI 0.597 changed to 0.579
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$101.91changed to$100.70
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 1.12 changed to 1.11
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$105.37changed to$101.91
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.027
- Practice expense GPCI 1.070 changed to 1.065
- Malpractice GPCI 0.580 changed to 0.597
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$105.66changed to$105.37
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 1.14 changed to 1.12
- Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.09
- Work GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.024
- Practice expense GPCI 1.074 changed to 1.070
- Malpractice GPCI 0.562 changed to 0.580
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$108.25changed to$105.66
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 1.21 changed to 1.14
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$108.51changed to$108.25
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.020
- Practice expense GPCI 1.079 changed to 1.074
- Malpractice GPCI 0.610 changed to 0.562
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
No ratechanged to$108.51
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: No rate
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D, RVU14A, RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D, RVU15A, RVU15B, RVU15C, RVU15D, RVU16A, RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $97.36 | $68.44 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $97.36 | $68.44 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $97.36 | $68.44 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $97.36 | $68.44 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $97.16 | $81.25 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $97.16 | $81.25 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $97.16 | $81.25 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $97.16 | $81.25 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $99.44 | $83.07 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $99.44 | $83.07 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $99.44 | $83.07 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $99.44 | $83.07 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $97.82 | $81.71 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $100.38 | $85.02 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $100.38 | $85.02 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $100.38 | $85.02 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $100.38 | $85.02 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $100.70 | $85.96 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $100.70 | $85.96 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $100.70 | $85.96 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $100.70 | $85.96 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $101.91 | $86.67 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $101.91 | $86.67 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $101.91 | $86.67 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $101.91 | $86.67 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $105.37 | $89.93 | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $105.37 | $89.93 | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $105.37 | $89.93 | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $105.37 | $89.93 | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $105.66 | $89.02 | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $105.66 | $89.02 | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $105.66 | $89.02 | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $105.66 | $89.02 | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $108.25 | $90.08 | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $108.25 | $90.08 | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $108.25 | $90.08 | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $108.25 | $90.08 | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $108.51 | $90.70 | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $108.51 | $90.70 | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $108.51 | $90.70 | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $108.51 | $90.70 | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13AR |
Where the Madera, CA rate applies
Madera, CA is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 17 cities and communities in California. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Madera
- Ahwahnee
- Bass Lake
- Bonadelle Ranchos
- Chowchilla
- Coarsegold
- Fairmead
- La Vina
88321 billing questions
How does this differ from 88323?
Use 88321 when the slides were already prepared elsewhere. Code 88323 is for consultation when the referred material requires preparation.
Does 88321 include preparing new slides?
No. The service is the pathologist’s review and report on slides prepared by another laboratory.
When would 88325 be a better fit?
88325 describes a more comprehensive consultation involving review of records and specimens. 88321 is focused on the referred slides.
What documentation supports reporting 88321?
Document the slides reviewed, their outside source, the consultation request, and the pathologist’s findings and conclusions in the report.
Can the original tissue examination report support 88321 by itself?
No. The record should show a separate consultation based on the outside-prepared slides and include the consulting pathologist’s report.
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
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