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CPT code 88348: Electron microscopy, diagnostic tissue examination2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Minnesota

Reports ultrastructural examination of tissue, such as a kidney biopsy, when electron microscopy is needed to evaluate a diagnostic question.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality13.8K Medicare services in 2024

In Minnesota, Medicare pays $487.47 for 88348 in the office.

$487.47Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
+2.0%vs the national office rate ($477.97)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 88348 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 88348 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Minnesota
  2. What 88348 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 88348 covers

A pathology laboratory prepares tissue for examination at ultrastructural resolution, typically by embedding it, cutting very thin sections, and viewing them with an electron microscope. A pathologist interprets the findings. A familiar use is evaluating a kidney biopsy for changes in glomerular basement membranes, deposits, or other features that help characterize renal disease. The service may also be used for other tissue when the diagnostic question requires ultrastructural detail.

Report 88348 for the diagnostic electron microscopy service, not simply because a specimen was submitted for routine microscopic review. The pathology documentation should identify the tissue examined, the reason for the study, and the electron-microscopic findings and interpretation. CMS recognizes a professional component for the interpretation, reported with modifier 26, and a technical component for equipment and staff, reported with modifier TC. Without either modifier, the code represents the global service. The professional and technical components are separately priced when billed with their respective modifiers.

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 Minnesota compares for 88348

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 88348 runs from $416.12 in Arkansas to $669.30 in San Benito County, CA. Minnesota pays $487.47. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

88348 in Minnesota vs other payment areas
  1. Minnesota · this page$487.47
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$556.38+$68.91
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$556.70+$69.23
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$501.51+$14.04
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$485.63−$1.84
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$552.29+$64.82
  7. Alaska · Alaska$528.33+$40.86

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

Every other payment area

88348 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$423.12—
ArkansasArkansas$416.12—
ArizonaArizona$464.22—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$518.12—
Chico, CACalifornia$517.73—
El Centro, CACalifornia$517.75—
Fresno, CACalifornia$517.73—
Hanford, CACalifornia$517.73—

88348 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.

$416.12

$593.52

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

View every state and territory as a table
88348 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$528.331
AL$423.121
AR$416.121
AZ$464.221
CA$517.73–$669.3029
CO$504.871
CT$512.501
DC$556.701
DE$472.711
FL$461.29–$501.513
GA$432.85–$485.722
GU$534.491
HI$534.491
IA$439.441
ID$441.871
IL$443.26–$492.884
IN$444.891
KS$435.191
KY$430.471
LA$428.94–$453.452
MA$500.46–$561.962
MD$483.23–$556.703
ME$442.46–$472.662
MI$441.52–$465.852
MN$487.471
MO$419.23–$457.583
MS$417.871
MT$477.961
NC$448.051
ND$475.591
NE$442.761
NH$494.891
NJ$519.41–$549.312
NM$443.511
NV$477.721
NY$455.53–$564.845
OH$441.041
OK$431.611
OR$475.08–$524.892
PA$442.91–$497.042
PR$482.581
RI$492.491
SC$445.081
SD$475.311
TN$437.451
TX$439.44–$502.258
UT$452.071
VA$469.57–$556.702
VI$482.581
VT$471.741
WA$500.16–$576.132
WI$457.351
WV$424.041
WY$476.921

See 88348 in every payment locality

How the 88348 rate is calculated

Each of 88348’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 · 88348

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.47

1.47 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense12.72

12.72 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.12

0.12 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

14.3100

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$477.97

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

The exact Minnesota inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

11,260

Code
88348
Physician work
1.47
Practice expense
12.72
Malpractice
0.12

GPCI2026.csv

66

Locality
Minnesota
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
1.029
Malpractice
0.296
Office calculation for 88348 in Minnesota
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.47× 1.0001.4700
Practice expense12.72× 1.02913.0889
Malpractice0.12× 0.2960.0355
Total RVUs14.5944
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Minnesota$487.47

Office: (1.47 × 1 + 12.72 × 1.029 + 0.12 × 0.296) × $33.4009 = $487.47

Open 88348 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 88348

The CMS indicators that decide how 88348 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 88348

Electron microscopy, diagnostic tissue examination

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

88348 without 26 · national office

$477.97

Electron microscopy, diagnostic tissue examination

88348-26 · Professional component

$72.15

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

Codes related to 88348

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

Codes related to 88348
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Minnesota
Often billed with
88346Immunofluorescence, initial antibody stainImmunofluorescence may be part of the same kidney-biopsy pathology workup.$139.48
88350Immunofluorescence, each additional antibody stainAdditional-antibody immunofluorescence may accompany electron microscopy in a tissue workup.$108.93
88355Muscle analysis, skeletal muscleMorphometric skeletal-muscle analysis may accompany ultrastructural evaluation of a muscle biopsy.$141.87

How 88348 has changed in Minnesota

88348 · Office / nonfacility

$487.47

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $2.37 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $485.10 to $487.47 (0.5%).

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

    $485.10changed to$487.47

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.51 changed to 1.47
    • Practice expense RVU 13.12 changed to 12.72
    • Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.12
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.025 changed to 1.029
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.300 changed to 0.296

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $491.85changed to$485.10

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 12.91 changed to 13.12
    • Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.13

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $483.82changed to$491.85

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $483.57changed to$483.82

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 12.49 changed to 12.91
    • Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.11
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.019 changed to 1.025
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.326 changed to 0.300

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $465.98changed to$483.57

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 11.76 changed to 12.49
    • Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.10
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.013 changed to 1.019
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.353 changed to 0.326

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $435.54changed to$465.98

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 10.80 changed to 11.76
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.12

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $396.28changed to$435.54

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 9.33 changed to 10.80
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.09
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.012 changed to 1.013
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.357 changed to 0.353

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $367.35changed to$396.28

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 8.56 changed to 9.33
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.011 changed to 1.012
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.362 changed to 0.357

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $355.67changed to$367.35

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 8.25 changed to 8.56

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $354.17changed to$355.67

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 8.20 changed to 8.25
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.016 changed to 1.011
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.341 changed to 0.362

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $352.62changed to$354.17

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 8.15 changed to 8.20
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.016
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.319 changed to 0.341

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $353.18changed to$352.62

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 8.14 changed to 8.15
    • Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.08

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $351.42changed to$353.18

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $709.79changed to$351.42

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 17.98 changed to 8.14
    • Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.05
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.016 changed to 1.020
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.301 changed to 0.319

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $730.48changed to$709.79

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 19.69 changed to 17.98
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.012 changed to 1.016
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.282 changed to 0.301

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. October 1, 2013

    RVU13D

    No ratechanged to$730.48

  17. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$487.47Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$487.47Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$487.47Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$487.47Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$485.10Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$485.10Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$485.10Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$485.10Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$491.85Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$491.85Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$491.85Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$491.85Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$483.82Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$483.57Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$483.57Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$483.57Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$483.57Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$465.98Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$465.98Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$465.98Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$465.98Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$435.54Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$435.54Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$435.54Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$435.54Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$396.28Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$396.28Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$396.28Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$396.28Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$367.35Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$367.35Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$367.35Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$367.35Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$355.67Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$355.67Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$355.67Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$355.67Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$354.17Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$354.17Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$354.17Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$354.17Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$352.62Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$352.62Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$352.62Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$352.62Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$353.18Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$353.18Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$351.42Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$351.42Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$709.79Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$709.79Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$709.79Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$709.79Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$730.48Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 88348 for an earlier date of service

Where the Minnesota rate applies

Minnesota is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 916 cities and communities in Minnesota. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Ada
  • Adams
  • Adrian
  • Afton
  • Aitkin
  • Akeley
  • Albany
  • Albert Lea

Browse all communities in Minnesota

88348 billing questions

When is 88348 appropriate for a kidney biopsy?

Use it when the biopsy workup includes diagnostic ultrastructural examination to address a renal pathology question. Routine tissue microscopy or immunofluorescence alone is not this service.

How does 88348 differ from 88346?

88348 reports electron-microscopic examination of ultrastructure. 88346 reports immunofluorescence staining and examination for the first antibody.

Can the professional and technical portions be billed separately?

Yes. Report modifier 26 for the professional interpretation and modifier TC for the technical work, including equipment and staff. Without either modifier, 88348 represents the global service.

What documentation supports reporting 88348?

Document the tissue source, the diagnostic reason for electron microscopy, and the ultrastructural findings and interpretation. The record should support that electron microscopy was performed, rather than only routine histology or antibody staining.

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 88348PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 11,260 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for MinnesotaGPCI2026.csv, line 66 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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