CPT code 88380: Tissue microdissection, laser capture method2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Pennsylvania
Reports laser capture microdissection of a tissue section to isolate selected cells, typically preparing a specimen for downstream molecular analysis.
Medicare pays $111.01–$121.74 for 88380 in the office in Pennsylvania, from Rest of Pennsylvania to Metropolitan Philadelphia, PA. 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 88380 covers
A laboratory uses a laser under microscopic visualization to separate selected cells or tissue from a section, such as a tumor focus mixed with surrounding benign tissue. The enriched material can then be used for molecular testing. This service is typically performed by pathology laboratory personnel as part of a surgical pathology or molecular diagnostic workflow; the interpreting pathologist may provide the professional component.
Report the service for each tissue section subjected to laser capture microdissection. Documentation should identify the specimen and section, the tissue or cell population selected, and the laser-capture work performed. This code represents specimen preparation, not the downstream molecular assay or its interpretation. CMS recognizes professional and technical components: modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, modifier TC identifies the technical service, and an unmodified claim 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 88380 pays more and less in Pennsylvania
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PA | $121.74 | Unavailable |
| Rest of Pennsylvania | $111.01 | Unavailable |
How the 88380 rate is calculated
Each of 88380’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 · 88380
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work1.11
1.11 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense2.37
2.37 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.04
0.04 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
3.5200
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$117.57
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 88380
The CMS indicators that decide how 88380 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 88380
Tissue microdissection, laser capture method
| 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
88380 without 26 · national office
$117.57
Tissue microdissection, laser capture method
88380-26 · Professional component
$48.43
Pays only the interpretation and report.
88380 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 88381MicrodissectionManual tissue preparation
- Choose 88380 when a laser captures selected tissue from a section; 88381 describes manual microdissection.
- 88387Tissue preparationFirst specimen
- 88387 covers macroscopic examination, dissection, and preparation of tissue for molecular studies. 88380 is the laser-based isolation of selected cells or tissue.
- 88363Tissue preparationArchived tissue, each case
- 88363 concerns retrieval of archived tissue for molecular analysis; 88380 reports laser capture microdissection of tissue from a section.
88380 billing questions
How is 88380 different from manual microdissection?
88380 is for laser capture of selected tissue from a section. Use 88381 when the microdissection is performed manually.
Does 88380 include the molecular test?
No. It represents laser-based isolation of tissue for analysis, not the downstream molecular assay or its result.
Which modifiers identify the components?
Modifier 26 reports the professional component, modifier TC reports the technical component, and no modifier represents the global service.
What supports reporting the service?
Record the specimen and tissue section, the selected cell population or target tissue, and that laser capture microdissection was performed.
How many units are reported?
The code is reported per tissue section subjected to laser capture microdissection. The documentation should support the number of sections processed.
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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