CPT code 88329: Pathology consult, gross examination only2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Tennessee
Reports a pathologist’s gross-only consultation during surgery when the surgeon needs an immediate assessment of a specimen without microscopic examination.
In Tennessee, Medicare pays $48.84 for 88329 in the office and $26.98 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 88329 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 88329 covers
During an operation, a pathologist examines a specimen by gross inspection and gives the surgeon an immediate assessment. The consultation may help address an intraoperative question about the tissue or specimen, such as whether the submitted material appears to contain the area of interest. The service is performed by a pathologist in connection with surgery; it is distinct from examination of prepared slides or frozen sections.
Report 88329 when the intraoperative consultation is based on gross examination only. Do not use it to represent microscopic frozen-section work. Documentation should identify the specimen and site, the question prompting consultation, the gross findings, and what was communicated to the surgeon. CMS assigns work, practice-expense, and malpractice relative values to the service; its practice-expense valuation differs between office and facility settings.
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 Tennessee compares for 88329
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 88329 runs from $47.36 in Arkansas to $66.72 in San Benito County, CA. Tennessee pays $48.84. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Tennessee · this page$48.84
- Los Angeles, CA · California$57.86+$9.02
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$58.60+$9.76
- Miami, FL · Florida$55.34+$6.50
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$54.13+$5.29
- Manhattan, NY · New York$58.99+$10.15
- Alaska · Alaska$64.25+$15.41
Other areas in Tennessee first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $47.89 | $26.85 |
| ArkansasArkansas | $47.36 | $26.70 |
| ArizonaArizona | $51.01 | $27.71 |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $54.79 | $28.43 |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $54.64 | $28.29 |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $54.65 | $28.29 |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $54.64 | $28.29 |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $54.64 | $28.29 |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $54.64 | $28.29 |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $54.64 | $28.29 |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $54.64 | $28.29 |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $62.06 | $30.36 |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $57.50 | $29.07 |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $54.64 | $28.29 |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $54.64 | $28.29 |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $55.09 | $28.73 |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $57.00 | $29.04 |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $56.78 | $28.91 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $57.84 | $29.08 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $65.36 | $31.45 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $65.31 | $31.41 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $66.72 | $32.04 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $66.53 | $31.85 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $55.89 | $28.50 |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $58.19 | $28.97 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $56.92 | $28.88 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $58.76 | $29.23 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $54.64 | $28.29 |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $61.99 | $30.29 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $54.64 | $28.29 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $54.64 | $28.29 |
| ColoradoColorado | $53.93 | $28.35 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $55.06 | $29.16 |
| DelawareDelaware | $51.73 | $27.97 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $53.56 | $29.20 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $51.50 | $28.51 |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $52.90 | $28.47 |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $49.22 | $27.77 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $55.52 | $28.18 |
| IowaIowa | $48.83 | $26.83 |
| IdahoIdaho | $49.08 | $26.95 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $51.14 | $29.01 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $50.33 | $28.37 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $54.07 | $29.38 |
| IndianaIndiana | $49.30 | $27.00 |
| KansasKansas | $48.65 | $26.91 |
| KentuckyKentucky | $48.77 | $27.39 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $50.57 | $27.94 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $48.71 | $27.42 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $58.49 | $29.77 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $53.72 | $28.40 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $54.89 | $29.09 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $52.56 | $28.22 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $49.28 | $27.15 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $51.35 | $27.52 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $52.00 | $28.80 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $49.75 | $27.79 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $52.01 | $27.26 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $50.30 | $27.72 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $50.71 | $27.82 |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $48.06 | $27.33 |
| MississippiMississippi | $47.72 | $27.01 |
| MontanaMontana | $52.10 | $28.05 |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $49.68 | $27.24 |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $51.31 | $27.26 |
| NebraskaNebraska | $49.04 | $26.84 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $53.13 | $28.10 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $58.21 | $30.32 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $55.78 | $29.52 |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $49.96 | $27.91 |
| NevadaNevada | $51.91 | $27.84 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $60.13 | $31.54 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $56.12 | $29.79 |
| Queens, NYNew York | $59.37 | $30.95 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $50.26 | $27.41 |
| OhioOhio | $49.59 | $27.63 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $48.70 | $27.22 |
| Portland, OROregon | $55.34 | $28.62 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $51.59 | $27.64 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $53.95 | $28.91 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $49.65 | $27.57 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $52.41 | $28.09 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $53.33 | $28.49 |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $49.70 | $27.48 |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $51.22 | $27.17 |
| Austin, TXTexas | $53.68 | $28.24 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $49.40 | $27.51 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $51.72 | $27.89 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $51.99 | $28.04 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $51.72 | $28.01 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $51.85 | $27.97 |
| Houston, TXTexas | $52.58 | $28.70 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $50.49 | $27.67 |
| UtahUtah | $50.23 | $27.62 |
| VirginiaVirginia | $51.22 | $27.58 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $52.41 | $28.09 |
| VermontVermont | $51.15 | $27.35 |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $53.61 | $28.29 |
| King County, WAWashington | $59.54 | $30.04 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $49.96 | $26.92 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $48.87 | $27.98 |
| WyomingWyoming | $51.76 | $27.71 |
88329 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.
$47.36
$64.25
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 | $64.25 | 1 |
| AL | $47.89 | 1 |
| AR | $47.36 | 1 |
| AZ | $51.01 | 1 |
| CA | $54.64–$66.72 | 29 |
| CO | $53.93 | 1 |
| CT | $55.06 | 1 |
| DC | $58.60 | 1 |
| DE | $51.73 | 1 |
| FL | $51.50–$55.34 | 3 |
| GA | $49.22–$52.90 | 2 |
| GU | $55.52 | 1 |
| HI | $55.52 | 1 |
| IA | $48.83 | 1 |
| ID | $49.08 | 1 |
| IL | $50.33–$54.13 | 4 |
| IN | $49.30 | 1 |
| KS | $48.65 | 1 |
| KY | $48.77 | 1 |
| LA | $48.71–$50.57 | 2 |
| MA | $53.72–$58.49 | 2 |
| MD | $52.56–$58.60 | 3 |
| ME | $49.28–$51.35 | 2 |
| MI | $49.75–$52.00 | 2 |
| MN | $52.01 | 1 |
| MO | $48.06–$50.71 | 3 |
| MS | $47.72 | 1 |
| MT | $52.10 | 1 |
| NC | $49.68 | 1 |
| ND | $51.31 | 1 |
| NE | $49.04 | 1 |
| NH | $53.13 | 1 |
| NJ | $55.78–$58.21 | 2 |
| NM | $49.96 | 1 |
| NV | $51.91 | 1 |
| NY | $50.26–$60.13 | 5 |
| OH | $49.59 | 1 |
| OK | $48.70 | 1 |
| OR | $51.59–$55.34 | 2 |
| PA | $49.65–$53.95 | 2 |
| PR | $52.41 | 1 |
| RI | $53.33 | 1 |
| SC | $49.70 | 1 |
| SD | $51.22 | 1 |
| TN | $48.84 | 1 |
| TX | $49.40–$53.68 | 8 |
| UT | $50.23 | 1 |
| VA | $51.22–$58.60 | 2 |
| VI | $52.41 | 1 |
| VT | $51.15 | 1 |
| WA | $53.61–$59.54 | 2 |
| WI | $49.96 | 1 |
| WV | $48.87 | 1 |
| WY | $51.76 | 1 |
How the 88329 rate is calculated
Each of 88329’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 · 88329
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.65
0.65 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense0.87
0.87 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.04
0.04 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
1.5600
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$52.11
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact Tennessee inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
11,235
- Code
- 88329
- Physician work
- 0.65
- Practice expense
- 0.87
- Malpractice
- 0.04
GPCI2026.csv
95
- Locality
- Tennessee
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.909
- Malpractice
- 0.537
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.65 | × 1.000 | 0.6500 |
| Practice expense | 0.87 | × 0.909 | 0.7908 |
| Malpractice | 0.04 | × 0.537 | 0.0215 |
| Total RVUs | 1.4623 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Tennessee$48.84
Office: (0.65 × 1 + 0.87 × 0.909 + 0.04 × 0.537) × $33.4009 = $48.84
Facility: (0.65 × 1 + 0.15 × 0.909 + 0.04 × 0.537) × $33.4009 = $26.98
Payment rules and modifiers for 88329
88329 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 · 88329
Which rate does Medicare pay?
The POS code on the claim line (CMS-1500 box 24B).
POS 11 · non-facility rate · national
$52.11
- Non-facility (office)
- $52.11
- Facility
- $28.06
Higher because the practice carries its own overhead.
How 88329 has changed in Tennessee
88329 · Office / nonfacility
$48.84
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $0.20 lower than on 2025-10-01, moving from $49.04 to $48.84 (0.4%).
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
$49.04changed to$48.84
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 0.67 changed to 0.65
- Practice expense RVU 0.92 changed to 0.87
- Practice expense GPCI 0.896 changed to 0.909
- Malpractice GPCI 0.544 changed to 0.537
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$51.06changed to$49.04
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 0.94 changed to 0.92
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$50.23changed to$51.06
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$52.49changed to$50.23
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 0.96 changed to 0.94
- Practice expense GPCI 0.894 changed to 0.896
- Malpractice GPCI 0.518 changed to 0.544
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$53.81changed to$52.49
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 0.97 changed to 0.96
- Practice expense GPCI 0.892 changed to 0.894
- Malpractice GPCI 0.492 changed to 0.518
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$54.88changed to$53.81
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 0.99 changed to 0.97
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$50.67changed to$54.88
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 0.79 changed to 0.99
- Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.04
- Practice expense GPCI 0.897 changed to 0.892
- Malpractice GPCI 0.509 changed to 0.492
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$49.58changed to$50.67
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 0.76 changed to 0.79
- Malpractice RVU 0.04 changed to 0.05
- Practice expense GPCI 0.901 changed to 0.897
- Malpractice GPCI 0.526 changed to 0.509
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$49.85changed to$49.58
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 0.77 changed to 0.76
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
April 1, 2018
RVU18B
No ratechanged to$49.85
Held through RVU18C, RVU18D.
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, RVU17A, RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D, RVU18AR1.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $48.84 | $26.98 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $48.84 | $26.98 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $48.84 | $26.98 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $48.84 | $26.98 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $49.04 | $31.65 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $49.04 | $31.65 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $49.04 | $31.65 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $49.04 | $31.65 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $51.06 | $32.57 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $51.06 | $32.57 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $51.06 | $32.57 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $51.06 | $32.57 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $50.23 | $32.04 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $52.49 | $33.40 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $52.49 | $33.40 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $52.49 | $33.40 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $52.49 | $33.40 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $53.81 | $33.75 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $53.81 | $33.75 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $53.81 | $33.75 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $53.81 | $33.75 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $54.88 | $34.02 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $54.88 | $34.02 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $54.88 | $34.02 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $54.88 | $34.02 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $50.67 | $35.78 | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $50.67 | $35.78 | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $50.67 | $35.78 | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $50.67 | $35.78 | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $49.58 | $35.62 | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $49.58 | $35.62 | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $49.58 | $35.62 | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $49.58 | $35.62 | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $49.85 | $36.23 | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $49.85 | $36.23 | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $49.85 | $36.23 | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | 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 Tennessee rate applies
Tennessee is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 504 cities and communities in Tennessee. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Adams
- Adamsville
- Alamo
- Alcoa
- Alexandria
- Algood
- Allardt
- Altamont
88329 billing questions
How does 88329 differ from 88331?
88329 represents an intraoperative consultation based on gross examination only. Use 88331 for intraoperative consultation involving microscopic evaluation of frozen-section tissue.
Does 88329 include a frozen section?
No. The service described by 88329 is gross-only; frozen-section microscopy is represented by the appropriate intraoperative consultation code, such as 88331.
What should the pathology report document?
Record the specimen and site, the reason for the surgeon’s request, the gross findings, and the communication of the assessment during surgery.
Can 88329 represent the later permanent-section examination?
No. It represents the intraoperative gross consultation. The later examination of processed tissue is a separate surgical pathology service when performed.
When is 88333 a closer match?
88333 represents an intraoperative consultation involving cytologic examination. Choose 88329 when the consultation is based on gross inspection alone.
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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