CPT code 88356: Nerve analysis, quantitative morphometry2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Maryland
Reports quantitative microscopic measurement of a nerve specimen, typically to characterize structural changes associated with peripheral neuropathy.
Medicare pays $226.07–$252.16 for 88356 in the office in Maryland, from Rest of Maryland to Washington, DC area. 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 88356 covers
A pathologist or neuropathologist examines a nerve biopsy using quantitative microscopic methods to assess nerve structure. The findings can help characterize peripheral nerve disorders, including neuropathies, by measuring features such as nerve fiber number, size, or distribution. The work is performed in a pathology laboratory after tissue has been obtained for diagnostic evaluation.
Select this service when the record supports quantitative morphometric analysis of nerve tissue, rather than routine microscopic examination alone or preparation of teased nerve fibers alone. Documentation should identify the nerve specimen, the quantitative analysis performed, and the resulting findings. CMS recognizes professional and technical components: report modifier 26 for the interpretation, modifier TC for the equipment and staff, or neither modifier for 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 88356 pays more and less in Maryland
The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.
3 payment localities
$226.07 to $252.16
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore area, MD | $235.31 | Unavailable |
| Rest of Maryland | $226.07 | Unavailable |
| Washington, DC area | $252.16 | Unavailable |
How the 88356 rate is calculated
Each of 88356’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 · 88356
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work2.73
2.73 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense3.90
3.90 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.07
0.07 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
6.7000
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$223.79
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 88356
The CMS indicators that decide how 88356 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 88356
Nerve analysis, quantitative morphometry
| 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
88356 without 26 · national office
$223.79
Nerve analysis, quantitative morphometry
88356-26 · Professional component
$112.56
Pays only the interpretation and report.
88356 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 88355Muscle analysisSkeletal muscle
- Use 88356 for quantitative morphometric analysis of nerve tissue; use 88355 when the analyzed tissue is skeletal muscle.
- 88358Tumor analysisManual morphometry
- 88358 is for morphometric analysis of tumor tissue. Choose 88356 when the specimen being quantitatively analyzed is nerve.
- 88362Nerve preparationTeased-fiber preparation
- 88362 represents preparation of teased nerve fibers, not the quantitative morphometric analysis reported with 88356.
88356 billing questions
How is this different from nerve teasing preparations?
This code represents quantitative morphometric assessment of nerve tissue. Code 88362 describes preparation of teased nerve fibers, a distinct service.
Which modifier identifies the professional service?
Append modifier 26 for the professional interpretation. Modifier TC identifies the technical work, including equipment and staff; billing without either modifier represents the global service.
What documentation supports reporting this code?
Document the nerve specimen, the quantitative measurements or analysis performed, and the pathologist’s findings. A routine examination without documented quantitative analysis does not establish this service.
Can this be reported with a routine nerve biopsy examination?
A routine tissue examination and quantitative morphometric analysis describe different work. The record should support each service reported for the nerve specimen.
Is this the same service as skeletal muscle morphometric analysis?
No. This code is for quantitative analysis of nerve tissue; code 88355 is the corresponding morphometric analysis code for skeletal muscle.
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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