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CPT code 88356: Nerve analysis, quantitative morphometry2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Vermont

Reports quantitative microscopic measurement of a nerve specimen, typically to characterize structural changes associated with peripheral neuropathy.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality31.1K Medicare services in 2024

In Vermont, Medicare pays $221.33 for 88356 in the office.

$221.33Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
−1.1%vs the national office rate ($223.79)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 88356 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 88356 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Vermont
  2. What 88356 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 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.

How Vermont compares for 88356

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 88356 runs from $204.28 in Arkansas to $290.31 in San Benito County, CA. Vermont pays $221.33. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

88356 in Vermont vs other payment areas
  1. Vermont · this page$221.33
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$250.58+$29.25
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$252.16+$30.83
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$232.70+$11.37
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$228.10+$6.77
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$252.09+$30.76
  7. Alaska · Alaska$276.80+$55.47

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

Every other payment area

88356 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$206.49—
ArkansasArkansas$204.28—
ArizonaArizona$219.41—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$237.11—
Chico, CACalifornia$236.76—
El Centro, CACalifornia$236.77—
Fresno, CACalifornia$236.76—
Hanford, CACalifornia$236.76—

88356 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.

$204.28

$276.80

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

View every state and territory as a table
88356 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$276.801
AL$206.491
AR$204.281
AZ$219.411
CA$236.76–$290.3129
CO$232.711
CT$236.131
DC$252.161
DE$222.441
FL$219.23–$232.703
GA$210.17–$226.612
GU$240.651
HI$240.651
IA$211.301
ID$212.131
IL$213.77–$229.754
IN$213.081
KS$210.121
KY$209.131
LA$208.71–$216.422
MA$231.67–$252.542
MD$226.07–$252.163
ME$212.48–$221.752
MI$212.75–$220.832
MN$225.921
MO$205.75–$217.543
MS$205.071
MT$223.781
NC$214.211
ND$222.401
NE$212.301
NH$228.831
NJ$239.64–$250.532
NM$213.441
NV$223.531
NY$216.58–$256.255
OH$212.471
OK$209.331
OR$222.57–$239.112
PA$212.98–$231.222
PR$225.181
RI$229.561
SC$213.541
SD$222.231
TN$210.851
TX$211.90–$231.268
UT$215.731
VA$220.88–$252.162
VI$225.181
VT$221.331
WA$231.32–$257.492
WI$216.701
WV$207.731
WY$223.181

See 88356 in every payment locality

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

Office or facility?

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.

The exact Vermont inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

11,269

Code
88356
Physician work
2.73
Practice expense
3.90
Malpractice
0.07

GPCI2026.csv

105

Locality
Vermont
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.990
Malpractice
0.506
Office calculation for 88356 in Vermont
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work2.73× 1.0002.7300
Practice expense3.90× 0.9903.8610
Malpractice0.07× 0.5060.0354
Total RVUs6.6264
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Vermont$221.33

Office: (2.73 × 1 + 3.9 × 0.99 + 0.07 × 0.506) × $33.4009 = $221.33

Open 88356 in the RVU calculator

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

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

88356 without 26 · national office

$223.79

Nerve analysis, quantitative morphometry

88356-26 · Professional component

$112.56

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

Codes related to 88356

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

Codes related to 88356
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Vermont
Same family
88355Muscle analysis, skeletal muscleMorphometric analysis for skeletal muscle rather than nerve tissue.$139.00
88358Tumor analysis, manual morphometryMorphometric analysis directed to tumor tissue.$128.79
Often billed with
88362Nerve preparation, teased-fiber preparationNerve teasing preparation may accompany separate quantitative analysis when both services are performed and documented.$215.67
88305Tissue pathology exam, level IV specimenRoutine surgical pathology examination may be reported for the nerve biopsy specimen when performed.$69.36

How 88356 has changed in Vermont

88356 · Office / nonfacility

$221.33

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $5.79 lower than on 2025-10-01, moving from $227.12 to $221.33 (2.5%).

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

    $227.12changed to$221.33

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 2.80 changed to 2.73
    • Practice expense RVU 4.22 changed to 3.90
    • Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.07
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.993 changed to 0.990
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.518 changed to 0.506

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $232.75changed to$227.12

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 4.18 changed to 4.22
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.06

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $228.95changed to$232.75

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $233.83changed to$228.95

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 4.08 changed to 4.18
    • Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.08
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.997 changed to 0.993
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.543 changed to 0.518

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $247.97changed to$233.83

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 4.31 changed to 4.08
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.06
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.001 changed to 0.997
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.569 changed to 0.543

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $242.84changed to$247.97

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 4.11 changed to 4.31
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.09

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $239.93changed to$242.84

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 3.76 changed to 4.11
    • Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.08
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.008 changed to 1.001
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.582 changed to 0.569

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $229.04changed to$239.93

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 3.45 changed to 3.76
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.10
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.015 changed to 1.008
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.595 changed to 0.582

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $226.02changed to$229.04

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 3.38 changed to 3.45
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.09

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $212.29changed to$226.02

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 3.04 changed to 3.38
    • Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.08
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.010 changed to 1.015
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.639 changed to 0.595

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $206.57changed to$212.29

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 2.91 changed to 3.04
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.004 changed to 1.010
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.682 changed to 0.639

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $206.58changed to$206.57

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Malpractice RVU 0.04 changed to 0.07

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $205.55changed to$206.58

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $278.44changed to$205.55

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Work RVU 3.02 changed to 2.80
    • Practice expense RVU 4.62 changed to 2.91
    • Malpractice RVU 0.17 changed to 0.04
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.006 changed to 1.004
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.618 changed to 0.682

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    No ratechanged to$278.44

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$221.33Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$221.33Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$221.33Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$221.33Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$227.12Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$227.12Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$227.12Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$227.12Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$232.75Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$232.75Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$232.75Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$232.75Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$228.95Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$233.83Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$233.83Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$233.83Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$233.83Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$247.97Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$247.97Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$247.97Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$247.97Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$242.84Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$242.84Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$242.84Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$242.84Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$239.93Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$239.93Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$239.93Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$239.93Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$229.04Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$229.04Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$229.04Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$229.04Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$226.02Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$226.02Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$226.02Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$226.02Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$212.29Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$212.29Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$212.29Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$212.29Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$206.57Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$206.57Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$206.57Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$206.57Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$206.58Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$206.58Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$205.55Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$205.55Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$278.44Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$278.44Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$278.44Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$278.44Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01Rate data unavailableNot 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 88356 for an earlier date of service

Where the Vermont rate applies

Vermont is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 180 cities and communities in Vermont. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Albany
  • Alburgh
  • Algiers
  • Arlington
  • Ascutney
  • Bakersfield
  • Barnet
  • Barre

Browse all communities in Vermont

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

Show the CMS file lines behind this rate
RVUs for 88356PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 11,269 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for VermontGPCI2026.csv, line 105 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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