CPT code 88344: Immunostain, multiplex antibody procedure2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Missouri
Report this service for a tissue or cell specimen stained with multiple antibodies together in one multiplex procedure for diagnostic evaluation.
Medicare pays $152.96–$166.27 for 88344 in the office in Missouri, from Rest of Missouri to Metropolitan St. Louis, MO. Which amount applies depends on the service address.
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
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On this page 9 sections
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 in Missouri
The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.
3 payment localities
$152.96 to $166.27
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MO | $164.33 | Unavailable |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MO | $166.27 | Unavailable |
| Rest of Missouri | $152.96 | Unavailable |
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.
How the rate is built · 88344
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.75
0.75 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense4.42
4.42 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.02
0.02 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
5.1900
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$173.35
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 88344
The CMS indicators that decide how 88344 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 88344
Immunostain, multiplex antibody procedure
| 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
88344 without 26 · national office
$173.35
Immunostain, multiplex antibody procedure
88344-26 · Professional component
$36.07
Pays only the interpretation and report.
88344 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
5 codes, side by side
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.
88344 billing questions
How is this different from 88342 or 88341?
Use this code when multiple antibodies are applied together in one multiplex staining procedure. Codes 88342 and 88341 apply to single-antibody stain procedures.
Are units based on the number of antibodies?
No. Report per specimen for each multiplex antibody stain procedure, not once for every antibody included in that procedure.
Can the professional and technical services be billed separately?
Yes. Modifier 26 reports the professional interpretation, and modifier TC reports the technical work. Without a modifier, the claim represents the global service.
What documentation supports a multiplex stain claim?
Record the specimen, the multiplex procedure and antibodies used, and the pathologist’s diagnostic interpretation. The record should support that the antibodies were used together in a multiplex procedure rather than as separate single-antibody stains.
When should a tumor immunohistochemistry code be considered instead?
For tumor marker testing that involves the specified quantitative analysis, compare this service with 88360 for manual analysis or 88361 for computer-assisted analysis.
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
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