CPT code 88334: Intraoperative cytology, each additional site2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Queens, NY
Reports a pathologist’s intraoperative cytologic evaluation at each additional site after the initial site is examined during surgery.
In Queens, NY, Medicare pays $60.85 for 88334 in the office.
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.
On this page 11 sections
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 Queens, NY 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. Queens, NY pays $60.85. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Queens, NY · this page$60.85
- Manhattan, NY · New York$60.30−$0.55
- NYC suburbs and Long Island, NY · New York$61.20+$0.35
- Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NY · New York$57.74−$3.11
- Rest of New York · New York$52.19−$8.66
- Los Angeles, CA · California$60.08−$0.77
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$60.39−$0.46
Other areas in New York first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Miami, FLFlorida | $55.50 | — |
| Chicago, ILIllinois | $54.52 | — |
| AlaskaAlaska | $67.42 | — |
| 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 | — |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $56.88 | — |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $56.88 | — |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $56.88 | — |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $64.56 | — |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $59.72 | — |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $56.88 | — |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $56.88 | — |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $57.01 | — |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $59.32 | — |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $59.08 | — |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $60.16 | — |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $68.04 | — |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $68.02 | — |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $69.37 | — |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $69.32 | — |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $58.16 | — |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $60.51 | — |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $59.22 | — |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $61.11 | — |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $56.88 | — |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $64.54 | — |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $56.88 | — |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $56.88 | — |
| ColoradoColorado | $55.89 | — |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $56.61 | — |
| DelawareDelaware | $53.50 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $54.43 | — |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $52.64 | — |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $54.39 | — |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $50.63 | — |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $57.71 | — |
| IowaIowa | $51.05 | — |
| IdahoIdaho | $51.22 | — |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $51.74 | — |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $51.38 | — |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $55.00 | — |
| IndianaIndiana | $51.43 | — |
| KansasKansas | $50.76 | — |
| KentuckyKentucky | $50.45 | — |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $52.07 | — |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $50.34 | — |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $60.48 | — |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $55.66 | — |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $56.40 | — |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $54.34 | — |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $51.27 | — |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $53.38 | — |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $52.96 | — |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $51.23 | — |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $54.40 | — |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $51.95 | — |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $52.35 | — |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $49.66 | — |
| MississippiMississippi | $49.56 | — |
| MontanaMontana | $53.77 | — |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $51.66 | — |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $53.58 | — |
| NebraskaNebraska | $51.28 | — |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $54.95 | — |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $60.05 | — |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $57.49 | — |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $51.38 | — |
| NevadaNevada | $53.75 | — |
| OhioOhio | $51.19 | — |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $50.52 | — |
| Portland, OROregon | $57.37 | — |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $53.56 | — |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $55.49 | — |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $51.32 | — |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $54.10 | — |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $55.17 | — |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $51.47 | — |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $53.55 | — |
| TennesseeTennessee | $50.92 | — |
| Austin, TXTexas | $55.51 | — |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $51.08 | — |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $53.62 | — |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $53.82 | — |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $53.53 | — |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $53.70 | — |
| Houston, TXTexas | $53.88 | — |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $52.23 | — |
| UtahUtah | $51.96 | — |
| VirginiaVirginia | $53.17 | — |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $54.10 | — |
| VermontVermont | $53.31 | — |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $55.58 | — |
| King County, WAWashington | $61.65 | — |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $52.30 | — |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $50.03 | — |
| WyomingWyoming | $53.69 | — |
88334 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.
$49.42
$67.42
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 | $67.42 | 1 |
| AL | $49.91 | 1 |
| AR | $49.42 | 1 |
| AZ | $52.81 | 1 |
| CA | $56.88–$69.37 | 29 |
| CO | $55.89 | 1 |
| CT | $56.61 | 1 |
| DC | $60.39 | 1 |
| DE | $53.50 | 1 |
| FL | $52.64–$55.50 | 3 |
| GA | $50.63–$54.39 | 2 |
| GU | $57.71 | 1 |
| HI | $57.71 | 1 |
| IA | $51.05 | 1 |
| ID | $51.22 | 1 |
| IL | $51.38–$55.00 | 4 |
| IN | $51.43 | 1 |
| KS | $50.76 | 1 |
| KY | $50.45 | 1 |
| LA | $50.34–$52.07 | 2 |
| MA | $55.66–$60.48 | 2 |
| MD | $54.34–$60.39 | 3 |
| ME | $51.27–$53.38 | 2 |
| MI | $51.23–$52.96 | 2 |
| MN | $54.40 | 1 |
| MO | $49.66–$52.35 | 3 |
| MS | $49.56 | 1 |
| MT | $53.77 | 1 |
| NC | $51.66 | 1 |
| ND | $53.58 | 1 |
| NE | $51.28 | 1 |
| NH | $54.95 | 1 |
| NJ | $57.49–$60.05 | 2 |
| NM | $51.38 | 1 |
| NV | $53.75 | 1 |
| NY | $52.19–$61.20 | 5 |
| OH | $51.19 | 1 |
| OK | $50.52 | 1 |
| OR | $53.56–$57.37 | 2 |
| PA | $51.32–$55.49 | 2 |
| PR | $54.10 | 1 |
| RI | $55.17 | 1 |
| SC | $51.47 | 1 |
| SD | $53.55 | 1 |
| TN | $50.92 | 1 |
| TX | $51.08–$55.51 | 8 |
| UT | $51.96 | 1 |
| VA | $53.17–$60.39 | 2 |
| VI | $54.10 | 1 |
| VT | $53.31 | 1 |
| WA | $55.58–$61.65 | 2 |
| WI | $52.30 | 1 |
| WV | $50.03 | 1 |
| WY | $53.69 | 1 |
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
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 Queens, NY 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
81
- Locality
- Queens, NY
- Physician work
- 1.064
- Practice expense
- 1.182
- Malpractice
- 1.442
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.71 | × 1.064 | 0.7554 |
| Practice expense | 0.89 | × 1.182 | 1.0520 |
| Malpractice | 0.01 | × 1.442 | 0.0144 |
| Total RVUs | 1.8218 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Queens, NY$60.85
Office: (0.71 × 1.064 + 0.89 × 1.182 + 0.01 × 1.442) × $33.4009 = $60.85
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
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | ZZZ | Add-on code: falls within the primary procedure’s global period. |
| 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
88334 without 26 · national office
$53.78
Intraoperative cytology, each additional site
88334-26 · Professional component
$35.07
Pays only the interpretation and report.
How 88334 has changed in Queens, NY
88334 · Office / nonfacility
$60.85
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $0.72 lower than on 2025-10-01, moving from $61.57 to $60.85 (1.2%).
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
$61.57changed to$60.85
- 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
- Work GPCI 1.065 changed to 1.064
- Practice expense GPCI 1.195 changed to 1.182
- Malpractice GPCI 1.462 changed to 1.442
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$62.96changed to$61.57
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 0.92 changed to 0.93
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$61.93changed to$62.96
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$65.14changed to$61.93
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 0.93 changed to 0.92
- Work GPCI 1.061 changed to 1.065
- Practice expense GPCI 1.212 changed to 1.195
- Malpractice GPCI 2.061 changed to 1.462
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$65.84changed to$65.14
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 0.90 changed to 0.93
- Work GPCI 1.056 changed to 1.061
- Practice expense GPCI 1.228 changed to 1.212
- Malpractice GPCI 2.661 changed to 2.061
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$66.39changed to$65.84
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$66.31changed to$66.39
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 0.86 changed to 0.90
- Work GPCI 1.054 changed to 1.056
- Practice expense GPCI 1.214 changed to 1.228
- Malpractice GPCI 2.391 changed to 2.661
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$65.10changed to$66.31
- 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
- Work GPCI 1.052 changed to 1.054
- Practice expense GPCI 1.200 changed to 1.214
- Malpractice GPCI 2.121 changed to 2.391
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$65.03changed to$65.10
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$69.50changed to$65.03
- 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 2.151 changed to 2.121
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
$72.34changed to$69.50
- Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
- Practice expense RVU 0.99 changed to 0.92
- Practice expense GPCI 1.199 changed to 1.200
- Malpractice GPCI 2.181 changed to 2.151
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
$77.77changed to$72.34
- Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
- Practice expense RVU 1.11 changed to 0.99
Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
July 1, 2015
RVU15C
$77.38changed to$77.77
- Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335
Held through RVU15D.
January 1, 2015
RVU15A
$75.30changed to$77.38
- 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
- Work GPCI 1.057 changed to 1.052
- Practice expense GPCI 1.197 changed to 1.199
- Malpractice GPCI 1.836 changed to 2.181
Held through RVU15B.
January 1, 2014
RVU14A
$75.57changed to$75.30
- Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
- Practice expense RVU 1.16 changed to 1.05
- Work GPCI 1.062 changed to 1.057
- Practice expense GPCI 1.195 changed to 1.197
- Malpractice GPCI 1.491 changed to 1.836
Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: $75.57
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $60.85 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $60.85 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $60.85 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $60.85 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $61.57 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $61.57 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $61.57 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $61.57 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $62.96 | Not available in this setting | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $62.96 | Not available in this setting | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $62.96 | Not available in this setting | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $62.96 | Not available in this setting | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $61.93 | Not available in this setting | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $65.14 | Not available in this setting | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $65.14 | Not available in this setting | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $65.14 | Not available in this setting | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $65.14 | Not available in this setting | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $65.84 | Not available in this setting | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $65.84 | Not available in this setting | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $65.84 | Not available in this setting | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $65.84 | Not available in this setting | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $66.39 | Not available in this setting | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $66.39 | Not available in this setting | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $66.39 | Not available in this setting | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $66.39 | Not available in this setting | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $66.31 | Not available in this setting | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $66.31 | Not available in this setting | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $66.31 | Not available in this setting | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $66.31 | Not available in this setting | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $65.10 | Not available in this setting | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $65.10 | Not available in this setting | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $65.10 | Not available in this setting | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $65.10 | Not available in this setting | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $65.03 | Not available in this setting | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $65.03 | Not available in this setting | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $65.03 | Not available in this setting | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $65.03 | Not available in this setting | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $69.50 | Not available in this setting | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $69.50 | Not available in this setting | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $69.50 | Not available in this setting | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $69.50 | Not available in this setting | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | $72.34 | Not available in this setting | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $72.34 | Not available in this setting | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $72.34 | Not available in this setting | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $72.34 | Not available in this setting | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | $77.77 | Not available in this setting | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | $77.77 | Not available in this setting | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | $77.38 | Not available in this setting | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | $77.38 | Not available in this setting | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | $75.30 | Not available in this setting | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | $75.30 | Not available in this setting | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | $75.30 | Not available in this setting | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | $75.30 | Not available in this setting | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | $75.57 | Not available in this setting | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | $75.57 | Not available in this setting | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | $75.57 | Not available in this setting | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | $75.57 | Not available in this setting | RVU13AR |
Where the Queens, NY rate applies
Queens, NY is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 1 cities and communities in New York. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- 88334 in New York · multiple payment areas
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
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