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CPT code 88332: Frozen section, each additional tissue block2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Reports a pathologist’s intraoperative frozen-section examination of each additional tissue block beyond the initial block, such as when assessing surgical margins.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality117.1K Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $60.51 for 88332 in the office.

$60.51Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
+13.2%vs the national office rate ($53.44)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 88332 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 88332 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 88332 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 88332 covers

A pathologist uses this service during an operation to examine an additional tissue block by frozen section and provide an immediate diagnostic opinion to the surgeon. It is commonly used when further tissue is submitted to assess a margin or clarify an intraoperative finding. The work may occur in a hospital or other surgical setting with the specimen processed and examined while the procedure is underway.

Report 88332 for each additional block examined after the initial block, typically with 88331 for the first block. The operative and pathology records should support the number of distinct blocks examined and the intraoperative interpretation communicated to the surgical team. For Medicare, modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, modifier TC identifies the technical service, and reporting without either modifier represents the global service. CMS separately prices the 26 and TC components.

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 Washington, DC area compares for 88332

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 88332 runs from $48.41 in Arkansas to $70.03 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $60.51. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

88332 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$60.51
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$60.12−$0.39
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$55.83−$4.68
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$54.61−$5.90
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$60.48−$0.03
  6. Alaska · Alaska$65.00+$4.49
  7. Alabama · Alabama$48.98−$11.53

Other areas in District of Columbia first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

88332 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$48.41—
ArizonaArizona$52.31—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$56.75—
Chico, CACalifornia$56.67—
El Centro, CACalifornia$56.67—
Fresno, CACalifornia$56.67—
Hanford, CACalifornia$56.67—
Madera, CACalifornia$56.67—

88332 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

MEWIVTNHMTNDMNMINYMARIWAIDWYSDIAILINOHPANJCTORNVUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDECAAZNMKSOKARTNNCSCDCTXLAMSALGAFLAKHI

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.

$48.41

$65.00

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

View every state and territory as a table
88332 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$65.001
AL$48.981
AR$48.411
AZ$52.311
CA$56.67–$70.0329
CO$55.671
CT$56.541
DC$60.511
DE$53.071
FL$52.31–$55.833
GA$49.96–$54.172
GU$57.741
HI$57.741
IA$50.201
ID$50.421
IL$50.91–$54.994
IN$50.661
KS$49.901
KY$49.681
LA$49.57–$51.562
MA$55.39–$60.642
MD$53.98–$60.513
ME$50.52–$52.892
MI$50.62–$52.732
MN$53.941
MO$48.81–$51.843
MS$48.621
MT$53.441
NC$50.961
ND$53.041
NE$50.451
NH$54.731
NJ$57.35–$60.052
NM$50.801
NV$53.361
NY$51.57–$61.575
OH$50.541
OK$49.721
OR$53.11–$57.292
PA$50.67–$55.292
PR$53.801
RI$54.841
SC$50.801
SD$53.001
TN$50.091
TX$50.39–$55.348
UT$51.371
VA$52.68–$60.512
VI$53.801
VT$52.781
WA$55.30–$61.872
WI$51.581
WV$49.351
WY$53.271

See 88332 in every payment locality

How the 88332 rate is calculated

Each of 88332’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 · 88332

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.58

0.58 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense1.00

1.00 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.02

0.02 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

1.6000

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$53.44

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

The exact Washington, DC area inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

11,239

Code
88332
Physician work
0.58
Practice expense
1.00
Malpractice
0.02

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 88332 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.58× 1.0540.6113
Practice expense1.00× 1.1781.1780
Malpractice0.02× 1.1130.0223
Total RVUs1.8116
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$60.51

Office: (0.58 × 1.054 + 1 × 1.178 + 0.02 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $60.51

Open 88332 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 88332

The CMS indicators that decide how 88332 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 88332

Frozen section, each additional tissue block

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

88332 without 26 · national office

$53.44

Frozen section, each additional tissue block

88332-26 · Professional component

$29.06

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

Codes related to 88332

Related codes aren’t interchangeable: bill the code that matches the service performed.

Codes related to 88332
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Primary code
88331Frozen section, first block, one specimenInitial tissue block for the intraoperative frozen-section consultation.$109.63
Same family
88333Surgical cytology, initial specimenIntraoperative cytologic examination of the initial specimen.$98.96
88334Intraoperative cytology, each additional siteAdditional intraoperative cytologic examination.$60.39
Used instead
88329Pathology consult, gross examination onlyIntraoperative pathology consultation based on gross examination rather than frozen section.$58.60
Often billed with
88305Tissue pathology exam, level IV specimenMay represent the later routine examination of tissue submitted during the operative episode.$79.56

How 88332 has changed in Washington, DC area

88332 · Office / nonfacility

$60.51

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $0.13 lower than on 2025-10-01, moving from $60.64 to $60.51 (0.2%).

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

    $60.64changed to$60.51

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.59 changed to 0.58
    • Practice expense RVU 1.03 changed to 1.00
    • Work GPCI 1.057 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.192 changed to 1.178
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.168 changed to 1.113

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $62.01changed to$60.64

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 1.02 changed to 1.03

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $61.00changed to$62.01

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $63.91changed to$61.00

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Work GPCI 1.056 changed to 1.057
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.214 changed to 1.192
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.231 changed to 1.168

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $64.33changed to$63.91

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 0.98 changed to 1.02
    • Work GPCI 1.054 changed to 1.056
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.236 changed to 1.214
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.294 changed to 1.231

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $64.44changed to$64.33

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 0.97 changed to 0.98

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $64.24changed to$64.44

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 0.93 changed to 0.97
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.221 changed to 1.236
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.277 changed to 1.294

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $62.21changed to$64.24

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 0.90 changed to 0.93
    • Work GPCI 1.045 changed to 1.049
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.221
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.261 changed to 1.277

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $62.15changed to$62.21

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $61.16changed to$62.15

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 0.88 changed to 0.90
    • Work GPCI 1.048 changed to 1.045
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.271 changed to 1.261

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $58.50changed to$61.16

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 0.82 changed to 0.88
    • Work GPCI 1.051 changed to 1.048
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.280 changed to 1.271

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $51.78changed to$58.50

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 0.66 changed to 0.82

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $51.52changed to$51.78

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $49.32changed to$51.52

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 0.61 changed to 0.66
    • Work GPCI 1.050 changed to 1.051
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.202 changed to 1.205
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.280

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $49.13changed to$49.32

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 0.67 changed to 0.61
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.050
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.198 changed to 1.202
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.130 changed to 1.205

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $49.13

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$60.51Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$60.51Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$60.51Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$60.51Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$60.64Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$60.64Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$60.64Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$60.64Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$62.01Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$62.01Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$62.01Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$62.01Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$61.00Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$63.91Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$63.91Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$63.91Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$63.91Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$64.33Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$64.33Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$64.33Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$64.33Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$64.44Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$64.44Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$64.44Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$64.44Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$64.24Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$64.24Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$64.24Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$64.24Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$62.21Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$62.21Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$62.21Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$62.21Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$62.15Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$62.15Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$62.15Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$62.15Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$61.16Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$61.16Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$61.16Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$61.16Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$58.50Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$58.50Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$58.50Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$58.50Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$51.78Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$51.78Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$51.52Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$51.52Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$49.32Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$49.32Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$49.32Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$49.32Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$49.13Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$49.13Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$49.13Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$49.13Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 88332 for an earlier date of service

Where the Washington, DC area rate applies

Washington, DC area is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 1 cities and communities in District of Columbia. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Washington

Browse all communities in District of Columbia

88332 billing questions

When should 88332 be reported instead of 88331?

Use 88331 for the initial tissue block in the intraoperative frozen-section consultation. Report 88332 for each additional block examined during that consultation.

Can 88332 be reported with 88331?

Yes. The additional-block service is reported with 88331 for the initial block when the pathologist examines further blocks during the same intraoperative consultation.

Which modifiers identify the components?

Modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, and modifier TC identifies the technical service. Without either modifier, the claim represents the global service.

What documentation supports multiple units?

The pathology record should identify the additional blocks examined and document the intraoperative findings or interpretation. Report a unit for each additional block supported by the record.

Is 88332 for an intraoperative cytology examination?

No. It represents additional tissue-block frozen-section work. Intraoperative cytologic examination is represented by the separate 88333 and 88334 code family.

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 88332PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 11,239 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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