CPT code 88344: Immunostain, multiplex antibody procedure2026 Medicare rate & RVUs

Medicare pays $173.35 for 88344 nationally in the office. Local office rates run $152.21–$241.05.

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

What 88344 covers

This service covers a multiplex immunohistochemical or immunocytochemical stain performed on a tissue or cell specimen. Unlike separate single-antibody stains, a multiplex procedure applies multiple antibodies within the same staining process, allowing a pathologist to assess markers together, such as their presence in the same tumor cells. Pathology laboratories commonly perform the technical work on biopsy, resection, or cytology material, with a pathologist interpreting the findings as part of the diagnostic evaluation.

Report the code for each multiplex stain procedure on each specimen; the unit is not based on the number of antibodies within the multiplex. Documentation should identify the specimen, the multiplex staining procedure and antibodies used, and the diagnostic interpretation. When the service is split, modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation and modifier TC identifies the technical work, including equipment and staff. Reporting 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.

Where 88344 pays more and less

The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.

109 of 109 payment localities

88344 rates by state

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

How the 88344 rate is calculated

Each of 88344’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.

Payment rules and modifiers for 88344

The CMS indicators that decide how 88344 is paid alongside other services.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 26

88344 compared with similar codes

How to choose

88342Antibody stainFirst single antibody per specimen

88342 is for the initial single-antibody stain procedure on a specimen. This code is for a multiplex procedure in which multiple antibodies are applied together.

88341ImmunostainEach additional single antibody

88341 covers an additional single-antibody stain procedure after the initial one. This code covers a multiplex stain procedure, not an additional antibody in a series of separate stains.

88360Tumor IHC scoringManual quantitative, per antibody

88360 applies to tumor immunohistochemistry with manual quantitative analysis. Use this code for a multiplex staining procedure when that specified quantitative-analysis service is not being reported instead.

88361Tumor immunohistochemistryComputer-assisted analysis

88361 applies to tumor immunohistochemistry with computer-assisted quantitative analysis. This code describes a multiplex staining procedure rather than that quantitative-analysis service.

Codes related to 88344

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

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

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates