CPT code 88381: Microdissection, manual tissue preparation2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Tennessee
Reports manual microscopic separation of a target cell population from tissue, commonly to prepare tumor-rich material for molecular analysis.
In Tennessee, Medicare pays $171.59 for 88381 in the office.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 88381 nationwide
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
On this page 11 sections
What 88381 covers
A pathology laboratory uses manual microscopic techniques to isolate a selected area or cell population from a tissue specimen. For example, a technologist may separate tumor-rich regions from surrounding non-tumor tissue in a prepared section before molecular testing. The service is distinct from gross trimming: the target is selected at the microscopic level, often with pathologist guidance, rather than by cutting the specimen at the bench based only on its gross appearance.
Report 88381 for the manual microdissection work, not for the downstream molecular assay itself. Documentation should identify the tissue and target population, support why microscopic separation was performed, and show that the work was manual rather than laser-based. CMS recognizes professional and technical components: the professional portion may be reported with modifier 26, the technical portion with modifier TC, and billing without either modifier 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.
How Tennessee compares for 88381
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 88381 runs from $163.12 in Arkansas to $263.40 in San Benito County, CA. Tennessee pays $171.59. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Tennessee · this page$171.59
- Los Angeles, CA · California$218.73+$47.14
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$218.86+$47.27
- Miami, FL · Florida$197.18+$25.59
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$190.84+$19.25
- Manhattan, NY · New York$217.13+$45.54
- Alaska · Alaska$206.61+$35.02
Other areas in Tennessee first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $165.90 | — |
| ArkansasArkansas | $163.12 | — |
| ArizonaArizona | $182.24 | — |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $203.58 | — |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $203.43 | — |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $203.43 | — |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $203.43 | — |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $203.43 | — |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $203.43 | — |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $203.43 | — |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $203.43 | — |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $241.62 | — |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $218.27 | — |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $203.43 | — |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $203.43 | — |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $203.97 | — |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $215.06 | — |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $214.30 | — |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $220.53 | — |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $257.62 | — |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $257.56 | — |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $263.40 | — |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $263.17 | — |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $210.68 | — |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $223.57 | — |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $215.42 | — |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $225.92 | — |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $203.43 | — |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $241.54 | — |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $203.43 | — |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $203.43 | — |
| ColoradoColorado | $198.35 | — |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $201.40 | — |
| DelawareDelaware | $185.61 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $191.26 | — |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $181.13 | — |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $190.80 | — |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $169.82 | — |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $210.12 | — |
| IowaIowa | $172.37 | — |
| IdahoIdaho | $173.34 | — |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $175.91 | — |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $173.98 | — |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $193.68 | — |
| IndianaIndiana | $174.54 | — |
| KansasKansas | $170.69 | — |
| KentuckyKentucky | $168.85 | — |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $177.99 | — |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $168.25 | — |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $220.96 | — |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $196.59 | — |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $200.70 | — |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $189.77 | — |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $173.59 | — |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $185.58 | — |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $182.96 | — |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $173.25 | — |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $191.43 | — |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $177.39 | — |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $179.62 | — |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $164.39 | — |
| MississippiMississippi | $163.83 | — |
| MontanaMontana | $187.71 | — |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $175.81 | — |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $186.72 | — |
| NebraskaNebraska | $173.69 | — |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $194.42 | — |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $215.91 | — |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $204.09 | — |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $174.05 | — |
| NevadaNevada | $187.60 | — |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $222.14 | — |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $204.87 | — |
| Queens, NYNew York | $220.26 | — |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $178.78 | — |
| OhioOhio | $173.05 | — |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $169.29 | — |
| Portland, OROregon | $206.29 | — |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $186.54 | — |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $195.26 | — |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $173.79 | — |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $189.54 | — |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $193.43 | — |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $174.64 | — |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $186.60 | — |
| Austin, TXTexas | $197.34 | — |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $172.41 | — |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $185.97 | — |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $186.96 | — |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $185.29 | — |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $186.38 | — |
| Houston, TXTexas | $187.30 | — |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $178.95 | — |
| UtahUtah | $177.42 | — |
| VirginiaVirginia | $184.35 | — |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $189.54 | — |
| VermontVermont | $185.20 | — |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $196.48 | — |
| King County, WAWashington | $226.56 | — |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $179.47 | — |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $166.34 | — |
| WyomingWyoming | $187.28 | — |
88381 rates by state
Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.
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.
$163.12
$233.42
Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.
View every state and territory as a table
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $206.61 | 1 |
| AL | $165.90 | 1 |
| AR | $163.12 | 1 |
| AZ | $182.24 | 1 |
| CA | $203.43–$263.40 | 29 |
| CO | $198.35 | 1 |
| CT | $201.40 | 1 |
| DC | $218.86 | 1 |
| DE | $185.61 | 1 |
| FL | $181.13–$197.18 | 3 |
| GA | $169.82–$190.80 | 2 |
| GU | $210.12 | 1 |
| HI | $210.12 | 1 |
| IA | $172.37 | 1 |
| ID | $173.34 | 1 |
| IL | $173.98–$193.68 | 4 |
| IN | $174.54 | 1 |
| KS | $170.69 | 1 |
| KY | $168.85 | 1 |
| LA | $168.25–$177.99 | 2 |
| MA | $196.59–$220.96 | 2 |
| MD | $189.77–$218.86 | 3 |
| ME | $173.59–$185.58 | 2 |
| MI | $173.25–$182.96 | 2 |
| MN | $191.43 | 1 |
| MO | $164.39–$179.62 | 3 |
| MS | $163.83 | 1 |
| MT | $187.71 | 1 |
| NC | $175.81 | 1 |
| ND | $186.72 | 1 |
| NE | $173.69 | 1 |
| NH | $194.42 | 1 |
| NJ | $204.09–$215.91 | 2 |
| NM | $174.05 | 1 |
| NV | $187.60 | 1 |
| NY | $178.78–$222.14 | 5 |
| OH | $173.05 | 1 |
| OK | $169.29 | 1 |
| OR | $186.54–$206.29 | 2 |
| PA | $173.79–$195.26 | 2 |
| PR | $189.54 | 1 |
| RI | $193.43 | 1 |
| SC | $174.64 | 1 |
| SD | $186.60 | 1 |
| TN | $171.59 | 1 |
| TX | $172.41–$197.34 | 8 |
| UT | $177.42 | 1 |
| VA | $184.35–$218.86 | 2 |
| VI | $189.54 | 1 |
| VT | $185.20 | 1 |
| WA | $196.48–$226.56 | 2 |
| WI | $179.47 | 1 |
| WV | $166.34 | 1 |
| WY | $187.28 | 1 |
How the 88381 rate is calculated
Each of 88381’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 · 88381
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.52
0.52 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense5.05
5.05 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.05
0.05 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
5.6200
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$187.71
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact Tennessee inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
11,320
- Code
- 88381
- Physician work
- 0.52
- Practice expense
- 5.05
- Malpractice
- 0.05
GPCI2026.csv
95
- Locality
- Tennessee
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.909
- Malpractice
- 0.537
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.52 | × 1.000 | 0.5200 |
| Practice expense | 5.05 | × 0.909 | 4.5904 |
| Malpractice | 0.05 | × 0.537 | 0.0269 |
| Total RVUs | 5.1373 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Tennessee$171.59
Office: (0.52 × 1 + 5.05 × 0.909 + 0.05 × 0.537) × $33.4009 = $171.59
Payment rules and modifiers for 88381
The CMS indicators that decide how 88381 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 88381
Microdissection, manual tissue preparation
| 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
88381 without 26 · national office
$187.71
Microdissection, manual tissue preparation
88381-26 · Professional component
$22.04
Pays only the interpretation and report.
How 88381 has changed in Tennessee
88381 · Office / nonfacility
$171.59
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $1.41 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $170.18 to $171.59 (0.8%).
It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.
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
January 1, 2026
RVU26A
$170.18changed to$171.59
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 0.53 changed to 0.52
- Practice expense RVU 5.25 changed to 5.05
- Practice expense GPCI 0.896 changed to 0.909
- Malpractice GPCI 0.544 changed to 0.537
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$181.40changed to$170.18
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 5.46 changed to 5.25
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$178.43changed to$181.40
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$183.64changed to$178.43
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 5.44 changed to 5.46
- Practice expense GPCI 0.894 changed to 0.896
- Malpractice GPCI 0.518 changed to 0.544
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$192.06changed to$183.64
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 5.60 changed to 5.44
- Practice expense GPCI 0.892 changed to 0.894
- Malpractice GPCI 0.492 changed to 0.518
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$184.00changed to$192.06
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 5.29 changed to 5.60
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$165.54changed to$184.00
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 4.50 changed to 5.29
- Malpractice RVU 0.04 changed to 0.05
- Practice expense GPCI 0.897 changed to 0.892
- Malpractice GPCI 0.509 changed to 0.492
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$142.41changed to$165.54
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 3.78 changed to 4.50
- Malpractice RVU 0.03 changed to 0.04
- Practice expense GPCI 0.901 changed to 0.897
- Malpractice GPCI 0.526 changed to 0.509
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$114.04changed to$142.41
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 2.91 changed to 3.78
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
April 1, 2018
RVU18B
No ratechanged to$114.04
Held through RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: No rate
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D, RVU14A, RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D, RVU15A, RVU15B, RVU15C, RVU15D, RVU16A, RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D, RVU17A, RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D, RVU18AR1.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $171.59 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $171.59 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $171.59 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $171.59 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $170.18 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $170.18 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $170.18 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $170.18 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $181.40 | Not available in this setting | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $181.40 | Not available in this setting | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $181.40 | Not available in this setting | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $181.40 | Not available in this setting | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $178.43 | Not available in this setting | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $183.64 | Not available in this setting | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $183.64 | Not available in this setting | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $183.64 | Not available in this setting | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $183.64 | Not available in this setting | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $192.06 | Not available in this setting | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $192.06 | Not available in this setting | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $192.06 | Not available in this setting | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $192.06 | Not available in this setting | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $184.00 | Not available in this setting | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $184.00 | Not available in this setting | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $184.00 | Not available in this setting | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $184.00 | Not available in this setting | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $165.54 | Not available in this setting | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $165.54 | Not available in this setting | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $165.54 | Not available in this setting | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $165.54 | Not available in this setting | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $142.41 | Not available in this setting | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $142.41 | Not available in this setting | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $142.41 | Not available in this setting | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $142.41 | Not available in this setting | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $114.04 | Not available in this setting | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $114.04 | Not available in this setting | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $114.04 | Not available in this setting | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU13AR |
Where the Tennessee rate applies
Tennessee is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 504 cities and communities in Tennessee. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Adams
- Adamsville
- Alamo
- Alcoa
- Alexandria
- Algood
- Allardt
- Altamont
88381 billing questions
When should 88381 be chosen instead of 88380?
Use 88381 when the target tissue is separated manually under microscopic guidance. Use 88380 when laser microdissection is performed.
Does 88381 include the molecular test?
No. It represents the manual tissue preparation, not the subsequent molecular analysis; report a separately performed assay under its applicable code.
How are the professional and technical portions reported?
Modifier 26 identifies the professional portion, and modifier TC identifies the technical portion. Reporting without either modifier represents the global service.
What documentation supports reporting 88381?
Document the specimen, the target cell population or tissue area, and the manual microscopic separation performed. The record should make clear that this was not laser microdissection or gross tissue trimming.
Is 88381 used for gross selection of tissue?
No. Manual microdissection targets tissue at the microscopic level; gross examination and preparation for molecular analysis is a different service.
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
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