FeeBase
Log inGet started
Menu

CPT code 88346: Immunofluorescence, initial antibody stain2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Reports the initial immunofluorescence antibody stain performed on a tissue specimen, such as a kidney or skin biopsy, for pathologic evaluation.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality60.9K Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $158.27 for 88346 in the office.

$158.27Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
+15.6%vs the national office rate ($136.94)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 88346 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 88346 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 88346 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 88346 covers

A pathology laboratory applies an antibody-based fluorescent stain to tissue so a pathologist can evaluate the pattern and location of the target in the specimen. This work is commonly part of evaluating kidney biopsies for immune deposits or skin biopsies for suspected immunobullous disease. The code represents the initial stain procedure for a specimen, not a general pathology consultation or a routine histologic stain.

Report one initial stain for the specimen; additional single-antibody immunofluorescence stains are represented by 88350. Documentation should identify the specimen and support the stain performed and the pathologist’s interpretation. CMS recognizes professional and technical components: modifier 26 identifies the interpretation, modifier TC identifies the technical work, and billing without either modifier represents the global service. CMS separately prices the 26 and TC components.

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 Washington, DC area compares for 88346

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 88346 runs from $120.68 in Arkansas to $188.58 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $158.27. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

88346 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$158.27
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$158.07−$0.20
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$143.06−$15.21
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$138.97−$19.30
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$157.20−$1.07
  6. Alaska · Alaska$155.79−$2.48
  7. Alabama · Alabama$122.52−$35.75

Other areas in District of Columbia first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

88346 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$120.68—
ArizonaArizona$133.33—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$147.75—
Chico, CACalifornia$147.63—
El Centro, CACalifornia$147.63—
Fresno, CACalifornia$147.63—
Hanford, CACalifornia$147.63—
Madera, CACalifornia$147.63—

88346 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.

$120.68

$168.11

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

View every state and territory as a table
88346 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$155.791
AL$122.521
AR$120.681
AZ$133.331
CA$147.63–$188.5829
CO$144.171
CT$146.251
DC$158.271
DE$135.621
FL$132.52–$143.063
GA$125.05–$139.012
GU$151.851
HI$151.851
IA$126.831
ID$127.461
IL$127.77–$140.914
IN$128.261
KS$125.701
KY$124.441
LA$124.03–$130.482
MA$143.06–$159.532
MD$138.44–$158.273
ME$127.61–$135.572
MI$127.34–$133.712
MN$139.481
MO$121.48–$131.573
MS$121.131
MT$136.941
NC$129.091
ND$136.351
NE$127.701
NH$141.411
NJ$148.30–$156.432
NM$127.861
NV$136.891
NY$131.05–$160.495
OH$127.221
OK$124.751
OR$136.20–$149.492
PA$127.71–$142.162
PR$138.161
RI$140.981
SC$128.291
SD$136.281
TN$126.301
TX$126.80–$143.378
UT$130.131
VA$134.75–$158.272
VI$138.161
VT$135.331
WA$142.95–$163.362
WI$131.551
WV$122.721
WY$136.681

See 88346 in every payment locality

How the 88346 rate is calculated

Each of 88346’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 · 88346

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.72

0.72 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense3.35

3.35 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.03

0.03 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

4.1000

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$136.94

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

The exact Washington, DC area inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

11,257

Code
88346
Physician work
0.72
Practice expense
3.35
Malpractice
0.03

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 88346 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.72× 1.0540.7589
Practice expense3.35× 1.1783.9463
Malpractice0.03× 1.1130.0334
Total RVUs4.7386
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$158.27

Office: (0.72 × 1.054 + 3.35 × 1.178 + 0.03 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $158.27

Open 88346 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 88346

The CMS indicators that decide how 88346 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 88346

Immunofluorescence, initial antibody stain

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global periodXXXThe global surgery concept doesn’t apply.
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

88346 without 26 · national office

$136.94

Immunofluorescence, initial antibody stain

88346-26 · Professional component

$33.40

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

Codes related to 88346

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

Codes related to 88346
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Add-on codes
88350Immunofluorescence, each additional antibody stainUsed for additional single-antibody immunofluorescence stains on a specimen after the initial stain.$123.46
Used instead
88342Antibody stain, first single antibody per specimenDescribes an initial immunohistochemical or immunocytochemical stain rather than an immunofluorescence stain.$126.98
88341Immunostain, each additional single antibodyDescribes an additional immunohistochemical or immunocytochemical stain, not an additional immunofluorescence stain.$108.66
88344Immunostain, multiplex antibody procedureApplies to additional immunohistochemical or immunocytochemical stain procedures, including multiplex stains.$201.06

How 88346 has changed in Washington, DC area

88346 · Office / nonfacility

$158.27

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $5.43 lower than on 2025-10-01, moving from $163.70 to $158.27 (3.3%).

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

    $163.70changed to$158.27

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.74 changed to 0.72
    • Practice expense RVU 3.56 changed to 3.35
    • Work GPCI 1.057 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.192 changed to 1.178
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.168 changed to 1.113

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $175.20changed to$163.70

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 3.73 changed to 3.56

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $172.35changed to$175.20

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $182.41changed to$172.35

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 3.77 changed to 3.73
    • Malpractice RVU 0.02 changed to 0.03
    • Work GPCI 1.056 changed to 1.057
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.214 changed to 1.192
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.231 changed to 1.168

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $187.86changed to$182.41

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 3.74 changed to 3.77
    • Work GPCI 1.054 changed to 1.056
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.236 changed to 1.214
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.294 changed to 1.231

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $175.62changed to$187.86

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 3.42 changed to 3.74

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $152.32changed to$175.62

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 2.80 changed to 3.42
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.221 changed to 1.236
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.277 changed to 1.294

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $130.85changed to$152.32

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 2.34 changed to 2.80
    • Malpractice RVU 0.03 changed to 0.02
    • Work GPCI 1.045 changed to 1.049
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.221
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.261 changed to 1.277

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $111.17changed to$130.85

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 1.90 changed to 2.34
    • Malpractice RVU 0.02 changed to 0.03

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $111.34changed to$111.17

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 1.91 changed to 1.90
    • Work GPCI 1.048 changed to 1.045
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.271 changed to 1.261

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $109.04changed to$111.34

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 1.85 changed to 1.91
    • Malpractice RVU 0.03 changed to 0.02
    • Work GPCI 1.051 changed to 1.048
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.280 changed to 1.271

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $129.09changed to$109.04

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Work RVU 0.86 changed to 0.74
    • Practice expense RVU 2.21 changed to 1.85
    • Malpractice RVU 0.02 changed to 0.03

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $128.45changed to$129.09

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $123.20changed to$128.45

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 2.09 changed to 2.21
    • Work GPCI 1.050 changed to 1.051
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.202 changed to 1.205
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.280

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $126.43changed to$123.20

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 2.33 changed to 2.09
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.050
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.198 changed to 1.202
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.130 changed to 1.205

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $126.43

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$158.27Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$158.27Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$158.27Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$158.27Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$163.70Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$163.70Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$163.70Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$163.70Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$175.20Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$175.20Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$175.20Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$175.20Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$172.35Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$182.41Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$182.41Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$182.41Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$182.41Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$187.86Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$187.86Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$187.86Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$187.86Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$175.62Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$175.62Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$175.62Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$175.62Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$152.32Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$152.32Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$152.32Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$152.32Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$130.85Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$130.85Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$130.85Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$130.85Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$111.17Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$111.17Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$111.17Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$111.17Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$111.34Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$111.34Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$111.34Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$111.34Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$109.04Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$109.04Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$109.04Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$109.04Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$129.09Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$129.09Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$128.45Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$128.45Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$123.20Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$123.20Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$123.20Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$123.20Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$126.43Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$126.43Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$126.43Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$126.43Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 88346 for an earlier date of service

Where the Washington, DC area rate applies

Washington, DC area is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 1 cities and communities in District of Columbia. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Washington

Browse all communities in District of Columbia

88346 billing questions

When should 88346 be selected instead of 88342?

Use 88346 for an immunofluorescence stain. Code 88342 describes an immunohistochemical or immunocytochemical stain, a different laboratory method.

How are additional immunofluorescence stains reported?

Report 88346 for the initial single-antibody stain on the specimen. Use 88350 for each additional single-antibody immunofluorescence stain when supported by the work performed.

Can the professional and technical work be billed separately?

Yes. Modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, and modifier TC identifies the technical work. Without either modifier, the claim represents the global service.

What documentation supports reporting 88346?

Document the tissue specimen, the immunofluorescence stain performed, and the pathologist’s interpretation. The record should support that this is the initial stain for that specimen.

Is 88346 reported per slide or per specimen?

The code is per specimen. It represents the initial stain procedure for that specimen, rather than a separate unit for every slide prepared.

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 88346PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 11,257 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

Did this answer your question about what 88346 pays in Washington, DC area?

Tell us what you were actually trying to work out. We’ll answer you directly, or build the page that does.

Fee sheets

Put 88346 and the rest of your codes on one sheet

Your codes at your locality, with payer contracts beside Medicare.

Build my fee sheet