CPT code 88331: Frozen section, first block, one specimen2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Tennessee
Reports a pathologist’s intraoperative microscopic assessment of frozen tissue from a specimen, providing a rapid diagnosis to guide the surgeon’s immediate decisions.
In Tennessee, Medicare pays $91.50 for 88331 in the office.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 88331 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 88331 covers
A pathologist examines frozen tissue during surgery and communicates a rapid microscopic interpretation to the surgeon, often to assess a margin or clarify the nature of tissue before the operation proceeds. The service is performed in connection with an operation, with pathology staff preparing the frozen tissue and slides and the pathologist providing the interpretation. The assessment is for one specimen’s first tissue block.
Report this code for the first frozen-section block; report each additional block for that specimen with 88332. Documentation should identify the specimen and block, describe the intraoperative examination, and record the interpretation communicated to the surgical team. CMS recognizes separately priced professional and technical components: modifier 26 identifies the interpretation, modifier TC identifies the equipment and staff work, and an unmodified claim represents the global 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 Tennessee compares for 88331
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 88331 runs from $88.61 in Arkansas to $126.39 in San Benito County, CA. Tennessee pays $91.50. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Tennessee · this page$91.50
- Los Angeles, CA · California$108.96+$17.46
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$109.63+$18.13
- Miami, FL · Florida$101.08+$9.58
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$99.05+$7.55
- Manhattan, NY · New York$109.57+$18.07
- Alaska · Alaska$119.85+$28.35
Other areas in Tennessee first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $89.58 | — |
| ArkansasArkansas | $88.61 | — |
| ArizonaArizona | $95.27 | — |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $103.06 | — |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $102.91 | — |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $102.91 | — |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $102.91 | — |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $102.91 | — |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $102.91 | — |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $102.91 | — |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $102.91 | — |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $117.41 | — |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $108.36 | — |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $102.91 | — |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $102.91 | — |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $103.26 | — |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $107.49 | — |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $107.07 | — |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $109.16 | — |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $123.89 | — |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $123.86 | — |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $126.39 | — |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $126.25 | — |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $105.38 | — |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $109.90 | — |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $107.35 | — |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $110.99 | — |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $102.91 | — |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $117.36 | — |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $102.91 | — |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $102.91 | — |
| ColoradoColorado | $101.12 | — |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $102.61 | — |
| DelawareDelaware | $96.60 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $98.75 | — |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $95.17 | — |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $98.43 | — |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $91.18 | — |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $104.65 | — |
| IowaIowa | $91.71 | — |
| IdahoIdaho | $92.07 | — |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $93.62 | — |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $92.76 | — |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $99.79 | — |
| IndianaIndiana | $92.49 | — |
| KansasKansas | $91.18 | — |
| KentuckyKentucky | $90.73 | — |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $93.94 | — |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $90.55 | — |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $109.82 | — |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $100.66 | — |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $102.25 | — |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $98.19 | — |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $92.22 | — |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $96.31 | — |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $95.87 | — |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $92.33 | — |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $98.16 | — |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $93.67 | — |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $94.44 | — |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $89.24 | — |
| MississippiMississippi | $88.95 | — |
| MontanaMontana | $97.19 | — |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $92.99 | — |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $96.60 | — |
| NebraskaNebraska | $92.15 | — |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $99.43 | — |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $108.90 | — |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $104.13 | — |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $92.63 | — |
| NevadaNevada | $97.09 | — |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $111.39 | — |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $104.61 | — |
| Queens, NYNew York | $110.58 | — |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $94.03 | — |
| OhioOhio | $92.21 | — |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $90.83 | — |
| Portland, OROregon | $103.94 | — |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $96.67 | — |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $100.44 | — |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $92.43 | — |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $97.81 | — |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $99.72 | — |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $92.68 | — |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $96.53 | — |
| Austin, TXTexas | $100.49 | — |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $91.96 | — |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $96.77 | — |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $97.17 | — |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $96.61 | — |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $96.93 | — |
| Houston, TXTexas | $97.48 | — |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $94.17 | — |
| UtahUtah | $93.65 | — |
| VirginiaVirginia | $95.93 | — |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $97.81 | — |
| VermontVermont | $96.13 | — |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $100.51 | — |
| King County, WAWashington | $111.99 | — |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $94.09 | — |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $90.10 | — |
| WyomingWyoming | $96.94 | — |
88331 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.
$88.61
$119.85
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 | $119.85 | 1 |
| AL | $89.58 | 1 |
| AR | $88.61 | 1 |
| AZ | $95.27 | 1 |
| CA | $102.91–$126.39 | 29 |
| CO | $101.12 | 1 |
| CT | $102.61 | 1 |
| DC | $109.63 | 1 |
| DE | $96.60 | 1 |
| FL | $95.17–$101.08 | 3 |
| GA | $91.18–$98.43 | 2 |
| GU | $104.65 | 1 |
| HI | $104.65 | 1 |
| IA | $91.71 | 1 |
| ID | $92.07 | 1 |
| IL | $92.76–$99.79 | 4 |
| IN | $92.49 | 1 |
| KS | $91.18 | 1 |
| KY | $90.73 | 1 |
| LA | $90.55–$93.94 | 2 |
| MA | $100.66–$109.82 | 2 |
| MD | $98.19–$109.63 | 3 |
| ME | $92.22–$96.31 | 2 |
| MI | $92.33–$95.87 | 2 |
| MN | $98.16 | 1 |
| MO | $89.24–$94.44 | 3 |
| MS | $88.95 | 1 |
| MT | $97.19 | 1 |
| NC | $92.99 | 1 |
| ND | $96.60 | 1 |
| NE | $92.15 | 1 |
| NH | $99.43 | 1 |
| NJ | $104.13–$108.90 | 2 |
| NM | $92.63 | 1 |
| NV | $97.09 | 1 |
| NY | $94.03–$111.39 | 5 |
| OH | $92.21 | 1 |
| OK | $90.83 | 1 |
| OR | $96.67–$103.94 | 2 |
| PA | $92.43–$100.44 | 2 |
| PR | $97.81 | 1 |
| RI | $99.72 | 1 |
| SC | $92.68 | 1 |
| SD | $96.53 | 1 |
| TN | $91.50 | 1 |
| TX | $91.96–$100.49 | 8 |
| UT | $93.65 | 1 |
| VA | $95.93–$109.63 | 2 |
| VI | $97.81 | 1 |
| VT | $96.13 | 1 |
| WA | $100.51–$111.99 | 2 |
| WI | $94.09 | 1 |
| WV | $90.10 | 1 |
| WY | $96.94 | 1 |
How the 88331 rate is calculated
Each of 88331’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 · 88331
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work1.16
1.16 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense1.72
1.72 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.03
0.03 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
2.9100
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$97.20
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
11,236
- Code
- 88331
- Physician work
- 1.16
- Practice expense
- 1.72
- Malpractice
- 0.03
GPCI2026.csv
95
- Locality
- Tennessee
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.909
- Malpractice
- 0.537
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 1.16 | × 1.000 | 1.1600 |
| Practice expense | 1.72 | × 0.909 | 1.5635 |
| Malpractice | 0.03 | × 0.537 | 0.0161 |
| Total RVUs | 2.7396 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Tennessee$91.50
Office: (1.16 × 1 + 1.72 × 0.909 + 0.03 × 0.537) × $33.4009 = $91.50
Payment rules and modifiers for 88331
The CMS indicators that decide how 88331 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 88331
Frozen section, first block, one specimen
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | XXX | The global surgery concept doesn’t apply. |
| Multiple procedures | 0 | No multiple-procedure reduction. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 0 | Not paid without supporting documentation. |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 1 | Diagnostic test with separate professional (26) and technical (TC) components. |
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 26 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
88331 without 26 · national office
$97.20
Frozen section, first block, one specimen
88331-26 · Professional component
$57.78
Pays only the interpretation and report.
How 88331 has changed in Tennessee
88331 · Office / nonfacility
$91.50
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $0.31 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $91.19 to $91.50 (0.3%).
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
$91.19changed to$91.50
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 1.19 changed to 1.16
- Practice expense RVU 1.80 changed to 1.72
- 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
$94.14changed to$91.19
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 1.81 changed to 1.80
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$92.60changed to$94.14
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$95.69changed to$92.60
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense GPCI 0.894 changed to 0.896
- Malpractice GPCI 0.518 changed to 0.544
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$96.33changed to$95.69
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 1.77 changed to 1.81
- 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
$97.44changed to$96.33
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 1.78 changed to 1.77
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$94.00changed to$97.44
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 1.56 changed to 1.78
- 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
$93.00changed to$94.00
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 1.52 changed to 1.56
- Malpractice RVU 0.04 changed to 0.03
- 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
$93.55changed to$93.00
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 1.54 changed to 1.52
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
April 1, 2018
RVU18B
No ratechanged to$93.55
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 | $91.50 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $91.50 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $91.50 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $91.50 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $91.19 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $91.19 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $91.19 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $91.19 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $94.14 | Not available in this setting | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $94.14 | Not available in this setting | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $94.14 | Not available in this setting | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $94.14 | Not available in this setting | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $92.60 | Not available in this setting | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $95.69 | Not available in this setting | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $95.69 | Not available in this setting | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $95.69 | Not available in this setting | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $95.69 | Not available in this setting | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $96.33 | Not available in this setting | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $96.33 | Not available in this setting | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $96.33 | Not available in this setting | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $96.33 | Not available in this setting | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $97.44 | Not available in this setting | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $97.44 | Not available in this setting | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $97.44 | Not available in this setting | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $97.44 | Not available in this setting | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $94.00 | Not available in this setting | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $94.00 | Not available in this setting | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $94.00 | Not available in this setting | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $94.00 | Not available in this setting | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $93.00 | Not available in this setting | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $93.00 | Not available in this setting | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $93.00 | Not available in this setting | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $93.00 | Not available in this setting | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $93.55 | Not available in this setting | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $93.55 | Not available in this setting | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $93.55 | Not available in this setting | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | 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
88331 billing questions
When is 88331 chosen instead of 88329?
Use 88331 when the intraoperative consultation includes microscopic examination of frozen tissue. Code 88329 is for an intraoperative pathology consultation based on gross examination.
How are additional frozen-section blocks reported?
Report 88331 for the first block for a specimen and 88332 for each additional block. The record should support the blocks actually examined.
Can 88331 be billed with modifier 26 or TC?
Yes. Modifier 26 represents the pathologist’s interpretation, while TC represents the technical work, including equipment and staff. Without either modifier, the claim represents the global service.
How does 88331 differ from 88333?
88331 reports microscopic examination of frozen tissue. Code 88333 is for an intraoperative cytologic examination, such as a touch preparation or squash preparation.
Can a definitive surgical pathology examination also be reported?
A definitive examination of the specimen may follow the intraoperative frozen-section assessment. Select the surgical pathology code, such as 88305, based on the specimen and the work performed for that examination.
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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