CPT code 88333: Surgical cytology, initial specimen2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Alabama
A pathologist rapidly evaluates an initial intraoperative tissue specimen using a cytologic preparation to guide an immediate surgical decision.
In Alabama, Medicare pays $81.73 for 88333 in the office.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 88333 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 88333 covers
During surgery, a pathologist examines a rapid cytologic preparation of tissue submitted by the operating team. Common preparations include a touch prep or squash prep. The pathologist interprets the cells and communicates a preliminary finding while the patient is still in the operating room, helping the surgeon make an immediate decision. This service is typically performed in a hospital or other surgical setting where the pathologist can provide an intraoperative consultation.
Report 88333 for the initial cytologic specimen examined; use 88334 for each additional cytologic specimen. The record should identify the specimen, document the cytologic method and interpretation, and support that the evaluation occurred during surgery. Modifier 26 represents the professional interpretation, while modifier TC represents the technical work, equipment, and staff. Reporting the code without either modifier 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 Alabama compares for 88333
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 88333 runs from $80.91 in Arkansas to $113.27 in San Benito County, CA. Alabama pays $81.73. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Alabama · this page$81.73
- Los Angeles, CA · California$98.25+$16.52
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$98.96+$17.23
- Miami, FL · Florida$91.68+$9.95
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$89.99+$8.26
- Manhattan, NY · New York$99.06+$17.33
- Alaska · Alaska$110.39+$28.66
Other areas in Alabama first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| ArkansasArkansas | $80.91 | — |
| ArizonaArizona | $86.54 | — |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $93.15 | — |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $93.00 | — |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $93.00 | — |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $93.00 | — |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $93.00 | — |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $93.00 | — |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $93.00 | — |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $93.00 | — |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $105.44 | — |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $97.65 | — |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $93.00 | — |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $93.00 | — |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $93.35 | — |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $96.96 | — |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $96.57 | — |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $98.32 | — |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $111.07 | — |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $111.03 | — |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $113.27 | — |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $113.13 | — |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $95.06 | — |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $98.88 | — |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $96.79 | — |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $99.85 | — |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $93.00 | — |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $105.39 | — |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $93.00 | — |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $93.00 | — |
| ColoradoColorado | $91.51 | — |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $92.87 | — |
| DelawareDelaware | $87.70 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $89.61 | — |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $86.57 | — |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $89.27 | — |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $83.18 | — |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $94.35 | — |
| IowaIowa | $83.49 | — |
| IdahoIdaho | $83.80 | — |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $85.35 | — |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $84.56 | — |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $90.52 | — |
| IndianaIndiana | $84.15 | — |
| KansasKansas | $83.06 | — |
| KentuckyKentucky | $82.75 | — |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $85.48 | — |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $82.61 | — |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $99.00 | — |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $91.15 | — |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $92.55 | — |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $89.06 | — |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $83.95 | — |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $87.38 | — |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $87.18 | — |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $84.12 | — |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $88.87 | — |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $85.22 | — |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $85.87 | — |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $81.51 | — |
| MississippiMississippi | $81.23 | — |
| MontanaMontana | $88.18 | — |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $84.59 | — |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $87.58 | — |
| NebraskaNebraska | $83.85 | — |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $90.03 | — |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $98.40 | — |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $94.26 | — |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $84.39 | — |
| NevadaNevada | $88.06 | — |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $100.63 | — |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $94.72 | — |
| Queens, NYNew York | $99.88 | — |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $85.48 | — |
| OhioOhio | $84.00 | — |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $82.81 | — |
| Portland, OROregon | $93.89 | — |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $87.69 | — |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $91.05 | — |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $84.18 | — |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $88.69 | — |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $90.40 | — |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $84.37 | — |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $87.51 | — |
| TennesseeTennessee | $83.34 | — |
| Austin, TXTexas | $90.93 | — |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $83.78 | — |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $87.84 | — |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $88.20 | — |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $87.73 | — |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $87.98 | — |
| Houston, TXTexas | $88.53 | — |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $85.63 | — |
| UtahUtah | $85.19 | — |
| VirginiaVirginia | $87.07 | — |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $88.69 | — |
| VermontVermont | $87.20 | — |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $91.00 | — |
| King County, WAWashington | $100.87 | — |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $85.46 | — |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $82.31 | — |
| WyomingWyoming | $87.92 | — |
88333 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.
$80.91
$110.39
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 | $110.39 | 1 |
| AL | $81.73 | 1 |
| AR | $80.91 | 1 |
| AZ | $86.54 | 1 |
| CA | $93.00–$113.27 | 29 |
| CO | $91.51 | 1 |
| CT | $92.87 | 1 |
| DC | $98.96 | 1 |
| DE | $87.70 | 1 |
| FL | $86.57–$91.68 | 3 |
| GA | $83.18–$89.27 | 2 |
| GU | $94.35 | 1 |
| HI | $94.35 | 1 |
| IA | $83.49 | 1 |
| ID | $83.80 | 1 |
| IL | $84.56–$90.52 | 4 |
| IN | $84.15 | 1 |
| KS | $83.06 | 1 |
| KY | $82.75 | 1 |
| LA | $82.61–$85.48 | 2 |
| MA | $91.15–$99.00 | 2 |
| MD | $89.06–$98.96 | 3 |
| ME | $83.95–$87.38 | 2 |
| MI | $84.12–$87.18 | 2 |
| MN | $88.87 | 1 |
| MO | $81.51–$85.87 | 3 |
| MS | $81.23 | 1 |
| MT | $88.18 | 1 |
| NC | $84.59 | 1 |
| ND | $87.58 | 1 |
| NE | $83.85 | 1 |
| NH | $90.03 | 1 |
| NJ | $94.26–$98.40 | 2 |
| NM | $84.39 | 1 |
| NV | $88.06 | 1 |
| NY | $85.48–$100.63 | 5 |
| OH | $84.00 | 1 |
| OK | $82.81 | 1 |
| OR | $87.69–$93.89 | 2 |
| PA | $84.18–$91.05 | 2 |
| PR | $88.69 | 1 |
| RI | $90.40 | 1 |
| SC | $84.37 | 1 |
| SD | $87.51 | 1 |
| TN | $83.34 | 1 |
| TX | $83.78–$90.93 | 8 |
| UT | $85.19 | 1 |
| VA | $87.07–$98.96 | 2 |
| VI | $88.69 | 1 |
| VT | $87.20 | 1 |
| WA | $91.00–$100.87 | 2 |
| WI | $85.46 | 1 |
| WV | $82.31 | 1 |
| WY | $87.92 | 1 |
How the 88333 rate is calculated
Each of 88333’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 · 88333
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work1.17
1.17 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense1.44
1.44 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.03
0.03 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
2.6400
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$88.18
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact Alabama inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
11,242
- Code
- 88333
- Physician work
- 1.17
- Practice expense
- 1.44
- Malpractice
- 0.03
GPCI2026.csv
4
- Locality
- Alabama
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.875
- Malpractice
- 0.566
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 1.17 | × 1.000 | 1.1700 |
| Practice expense | 1.44 | × 0.875 | 1.2600 |
| Malpractice | 0.03 | × 0.566 | 0.0170 |
| Total RVUs | 2.4470 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Alabama$81.73
Office: (1.17 × 1 + 1.44 × 0.875 + 0.03 × 0.566) × $33.4009 = $81.73
Payment rules and modifiers for 88333
The CMS indicators that decide how 88333 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 88333
Surgical cytology, initial 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
88333 without 26 · national office
$88.18
Surgical cytology, initial specimen
88333-26 · Professional component
$57.45
Pays only the interpretation and report.
How 88333 has changed in Alabama
88333 · Office / nonfacility
$81.73
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $0.19 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $81.54 to $81.73 (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
$81.54changed to$81.73
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 1.20 changed to 1.17
- Practice expense RVU 1.50 changed to 1.44
- Practice expense GPCI 0.869 changed to 0.875
- Malpractice GPCI 0.575 changed to 0.566
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$84.20changed to$81.54
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 1.51 changed to 1.50
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$82.82changed to$84.20
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$86.95changed to$82.82
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 1.53 changed to 1.51
- Practice expense GPCI 0.878 changed to 0.869
- Malpractice GPCI 0.748 changed to 0.575
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$88.58changed to$86.95
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 1.50 changed to 1.53
- Practice expense GPCI 0.888 changed to 0.878
- Malpractice GPCI 0.921 changed to 0.748
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$90.24changed to$88.58
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 1.53 changed to 1.50
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$86.42changed to$90.24
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 1.32 changed to 1.53
- Practice expense GPCI 0.889 changed to 0.888
- Malpractice GPCI 0.707 changed to 0.921
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$85.33changed to$86.42
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 1.29 changed to 1.32
- Malpractice RVU 0.04 changed to 0.03
- Practice expense GPCI 0.890 changed to 0.889
- Malpractice GPCI 0.492 changed to 0.707
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$85.88changed to$85.33
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 1.31 changed to 1.29
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
April 1, 2018
RVU18B
No ratechanged to$85.88
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 | $81.73 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $81.73 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $81.73 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $81.73 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $81.54 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $81.54 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $81.54 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $81.54 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $84.20 | Not available in this setting | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $84.20 | Not available in this setting | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $84.20 | Not available in this setting | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $84.20 | Not available in this setting | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $82.82 | Not available in this setting | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $86.95 | Not available in this setting | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $86.95 | Not available in this setting | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $86.95 | Not available in this setting | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $86.95 | Not available in this setting | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $88.58 | Not available in this setting | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $88.58 | Not available in this setting | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $88.58 | Not available in this setting | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $88.58 | Not available in this setting | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $90.24 | Not available in this setting | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $90.24 | Not available in this setting | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $90.24 | Not available in this setting | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $90.24 | Not available in this setting | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $86.42 | Not available in this setting | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $86.42 | Not available in this setting | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $86.42 | Not available in this setting | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $86.42 | Not available in this setting | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $85.33 | Not available in this setting | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $85.33 | Not available in this setting | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $85.33 | Not available in this setting | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $85.33 | Not available in this setting | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $85.88 | Not available in this setting | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $85.88 | Not available in this setting | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $85.88 | 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 Alabama rate applies
Alabama is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 595 cities and communities in Alabama. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Abanda
- Abbeville
- Adamsville
- Addison
- Akron
- Alabaster
- Albertville
- Alexander City
88333 billing questions
When should 88333 be chosen instead of 88331?
Use 88333 for an intraoperative cytologic preparation, such as a touch prep or squash prep. Use 88331 when the pathologist examines a frozen tissue section.
How is another cytologic specimen reported?
88333 covers the initial cytologic specimen. Report 88334 for each additional cytologic specimen examined during the intraoperative consultation.
Can the professional and technical portions be billed separately?
Yes. Modifier 26 identifies the pathologist’s interpretation, and modifier TC identifies the technical portion. Without either modifier, 88333 represents the global service.
What documentation supports 88333?
Document the specimen examined, the cytologic preparation and findings, and the intraoperative communication to the surgical team. The record should establish that the evaluation took place during surgery.
Is 88333 for gross examination alone?
No. 88333 involves cytologic evaluation of a preparation. An intraoperative consultation limited to gross examination is represented by 88329.
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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