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CPT code 88334: Intraoperative cytology, each additional site2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Montana

Reports a pathologist’s intraoperative cytologic evaluation at each additional site after the initial site is examined during surgery.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality26K Medicare services in 2024

In Montana, Medicare pays $53.77 for 88334 in the office.

$53.77Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
−0.0%vs the national office rate ($53.78)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 88334 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 88334 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Montana
  2. What 88334 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 88334 covers

A pathologist evaluates cytologic material from an additional site during surgery, often using a touch preparation or another rapid preparation to assess material while the procedure is underway. The result can help the surgical team make an immediate decision about the specimen or whether additional tissue is needed. This service is typically performed in connection with an operation, with laboratory staff preparing the material and the pathologist interpreting it.

Report 88334 with 88333 when the pathologist examines cytologic material from an additional site; the initial site is reported with 88333. Documentation should identify the sites examined and support a separate intraoperative evaluation for each additional site, rather than merely counting slides or preparations from one site. CMS classifies 88334 as an add-on billed with a primary procedure and paid within that procedure’s global period. Modifier 26 identifies the interpretation, modifier TC identifies the technical service, 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 Montana compares for 88334

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 88334 runs from $49.42 in Arkansas to $69.37 in San Benito County, CA. Montana pays $53.77. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

88334 in Montana vs other payment areas
  1. Montana · this page$53.77
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$60.08+$6.31
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$60.39+$6.62
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$55.50+$1.73
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$54.52+$0.75
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$60.30+$6.53
  7. Alaska · Alaska$67.42+$13.65

Other areas in Montana first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

88334 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$49.91—
ArkansasArkansas$49.42—
ArizonaArizona$52.81—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$56.95—
Chico, CACalifornia$56.88—
El Centro, CACalifornia$56.88—
Fresno, CACalifornia$56.88—
Hanford, CACalifornia$56.88—

88334 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.

$49.42

$67.42

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

View every state and territory as a table
88334 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$67.421
AL$49.911
AR$49.421
AZ$52.811
CA$56.88–$69.3729
CO$55.891
CT$56.611
DC$60.391
DE$53.501
FL$52.64–$55.503
GA$50.63–$54.392
GU$57.711
HI$57.711
IA$51.051
ID$51.221
IL$51.38–$55.004
IN$51.431
KS$50.761
KY$50.451
LA$50.34–$52.072
MA$55.66–$60.482
MD$54.34–$60.393
ME$51.27–$53.382
MI$51.23–$52.962
MN$54.401
MO$49.66–$52.353
MS$49.561
MT$53.771
NC$51.661
ND$53.581
NE$51.281
NH$54.951
NJ$57.49–$60.052
NM$51.381
NV$53.751
NY$52.19–$61.205
OH$51.191
OK$50.521
OR$53.56–$57.372
PA$51.32–$55.492
PR$54.101
RI$55.171
SC$51.471
SD$53.551
TN$50.921
TX$51.08–$55.518
UT$51.961
VA$53.17–$60.392
VI$54.101
VT$53.311
WA$55.58–$61.652
WI$52.301
WV$50.031
WY$53.691

See 88334 in every payment locality

How the 88334 rate is calculated

Each of 88334’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 · 88334

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.71

0.71 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense0.89

0.89 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.01

0.01 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

1.6100

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$53.78

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

The exact Montana inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

11,245

Code
88334
Physician work
0.71
Practice expense
0.89
Malpractice
0.01

GPCI2026.csv

71

Locality
Montana
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
1.000
Malpractice
0.998
Office calculation for 88334 in Montana
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.71× 1.0000.7100
Practice expense0.89× 1.0000.8900
Malpractice0.01× 0.9980.0100
Total RVUs1.6100
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Montana$53.77

Office: (0.71 × 1 + 0.89 × 1 + 0.01 × 0.998) × $33.4009 = $53.77

Open 88334 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 88334

The CMS indicators that decide how 88334 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 88334

Intraoperative cytology, each additional site

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global periodZZZAdd-on code: falls within the primary procedure’s global period.
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

88334 without 26 · national office

$53.78

Intraoperative cytology, each additional site

88334-26 · Professional component

$35.07

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

Codes related to 88334

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

Codes related to 88334
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Montana
Add-on codes
88333Surgical cytology, initial specimenReports the initial intraoperative cytologic site; 88334 reports each additional site.$88.18
Same family
88331Frozen section, first block, one specimenIntraoperative consultation by frozen-section examination of the initial tissue block.$97.19
88332Frozen section, each additional tissue blockIntraoperative consultation for each additional frozen-section tissue block.$53.44
88329Pathology consult, gross examination onlyIntraoperative pathology consultation using gross examination rather than cytologic evaluation.$52.10

How 88334 has changed in Montana

88334 · Office / nonfacility

$53.77

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $0.24 lower than on 2025-10-01, moving from $54.01 to $53.77 (0.4%).

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

    $54.01changed to$53.77

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.73 changed to 0.71
    • Practice expense RVU 0.93 changed to 0.89
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.978 changed to 0.998

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $55.25changed to$54.01

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 0.92 changed to 0.93

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $54.35changed to$55.25

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $56.58changed to$54.35

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 0.93 changed to 0.92

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $56.75changed to$56.58

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 0.90 changed to 0.93
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.977 changed to 0.978

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $57.22changed to$56.75

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $57.85changed to$57.22

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 0.86 changed to 0.90
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.304 changed to 0.977

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $57.40changed to$57.85

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 0.83 changed to 0.86
    • Malpractice RVU 0.02 changed to 0.01
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.631 changed to 1.304

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $57.33changed to$57.40

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $60.75changed to$57.33

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 0.92 changed to 0.83
    • Malpractice RVU 0.03 changed to 0.02
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.429 changed to 1.631

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $62.90changed to$60.75

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 0.99 changed to 0.92
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.226 changed to 1.429

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $67.44changed to$62.90

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 1.11 changed to 0.99

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $67.10changed to$67.44

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $65.43changed to$67.10

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 1.05 changed to 1.11
    • Malpractice RVU 0.04 changed to 0.03
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.165 changed to 1.226

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $65.80changed to$65.43

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 1.16 changed to 1.05
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.103 changed to 1.165

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $65.80

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$53.77Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$53.77Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$53.77Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$53.77Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$54.01Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$54.01Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$54.01Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$54.01Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$55.25Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$55.25Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$55.25Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$55.25Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$54.35Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$56.58Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$56.58Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$56.58Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$56.58Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$56.75Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$56.75Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$56.75Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$56.75Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$57.22Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$57.22Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$57.22Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$57.22Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$57.85Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$57.85Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$57.85Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$57.85Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$57.40Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$57.40Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$57.40Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$57.40Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$57.33Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$57.33Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$57.33Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$57.33Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$60.75Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$60.75Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$60.75Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$60.75Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$62.90Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$62.90Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$62.90Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$62.90Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$67.44Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$67.44Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$67.10Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$67.10Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$65.43Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$65.43Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$65.43Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$65.43Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$65.80Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$65.80Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$65.80Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$65.80Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 88334 for an earlier date of service

Where the Montana rate applies

Montana is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 497 cities and communities in Montana. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Absarokee
  • Acton
  • Alberton
  • Alder
  • Alzada
  • Amsterdam
  • Anaconda-Deer Lodge County
  • Antelope

Browse all communities in Montana

88334 billing questions

When should 88334 be reported instead of 88333?

88333 reports the initial cytologic site examined during surgery. Report 88334 for each additional site evaluated in that intraoperative consultation.

Does each slide or preparation count as another unit?

No. The distinction is based on additional sites examined, not the number of slides or preparations from the same site. Document the site associated with each additional evaluation.

Can 88334 be billed by itself?

No. It is an add-on code and is reported with the primary procedure, typically 88333 for the initial intraoperative cytologic site.

When are modifiers 26 and TC used?

Use modifier 26 for the pathologist’s interpretation and modifier TC for the technical service, including equipment and staff. Without either modifier, the claim represents the global service.

How does 88334 differ from frozen-section codes 88331 and 88332?

88334 is for additional-site cytologic evaluation during surgery. Codes 88331 and 88332 report intraoperative examination of tissue blocks using frozen sections.

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 88334PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 11,245 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for MontanaGPCI2026.csv, line 71 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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