CPT code 88387: Tissue preparation, first specimen2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Kentucky
Reports gross tissue selection, dissection, and preparation of a specimen for nonmicroscopic analysis, such as a nucleic acid-based molecular study.
In Kentucky, Medicare pays $31.34 for 88387 in the office.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 88387 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 88387 covers
A pathologist examines tissue macroscopically, selects the area needed for a nonmicroscopic analytical study, and dissects and prepares it for testing. A common situation is selecting tumor tissue from a surgical specimen for downstream molecular analysis. The preparation service is distinct from performing or interpreting the molecular assay itself and may take place in a hospital or pathology laboratory.
Report 88387 for the first specimen prepared under this service; code 88388 is used for additional specimens when appropriate. Documentation should identify the tissue and analytical purpose and support the macroscopic selection, dissection, and preparation performed. CMS treats this as a diagnostic test with professional and technical components: modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, modifier TC identifies the technical service, and reporting 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 Kentucky compares for 88387
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 88387 runs from $30.71 in Arkansas to $43.23 in Alaska. Kentucky pays $31.34. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Kentucky · this page$31.34
- Los Angeles, CA · California$35.53+$4.19
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$36.03+$4.69
- Miami, FL · Florida$34.25+$2.91
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$33.80+$2.46
- Manhattan, NY · New York$36.35+$5.01
- Alaska · Alaska$43.23+$11.89
Other areas in Kentucky first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $30.94 | — |
| ArkansasArkansas | $30.71 | — |
| ArizonaArizona | $32.26 | — |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $34.01 | — |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $33.92 | — |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $33.92 | — |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $33.92 | — |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $33.92 | — |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $33.92 | — |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $33.92 | — |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $33.92 | — |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $37.49 | — |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $35.23 | — |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $33.92 | — |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $33.92 | — |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $34.15 | — |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $35.10 | — |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $34.96 | — |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $35.38 | — |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $39.21 | — |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $39.18 | — |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $39.94 | — |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $39.85 | — |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $34.43 | — |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $35.43 | — |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $34.98 | — |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $35.77 | — |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $33.92 | — |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $37.46 | — |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $33.92 | — |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $33.92 | — |
| ColoradoColorado | $33.60 | — |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $34.20 | — |
| DelawareDelaware | $32.62 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $33.43 | — |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $32.54 | — |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $33.12 | — |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $31.56 | — |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $34.10 | — |
| IowaIowa | $31.31 | — |
| IdahoIdaho | $31.42 | — |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $32.45 | — |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $32.06 | — |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $33.71 | — |
| IndianaIndiana | $31.51 | — |
| KansasKansas | $31.25 | — |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $32.11 | — |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $31.32 | — |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $35.81 | — |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $33.56 | — |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $34.09 | — |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $33.02 | — |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $31.52 | — |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $32.38 | — |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $32.77 | — |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $31.77 | — |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $32.61 | — |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $31.98 | — |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $32.16 | — |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $31.06 | — |
| MississippiMississippi | $30.89 | — |
| MontanaMontana | $32.73 | — |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $31.69 | — |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $32.34 | — |
| NebraskaNebraska | $31.39 | — |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $33.14 | — |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $35.96 | — |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $34.71 | — |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $31.87 | — |
| NevadaNevada | $32.63 | — |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $36.86 | — |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $34.92 | — |
| Queens, NYNew York | $36.50 | — |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $31.93 | — |
| OhioOhio | $31.69 | — |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $31.30 | — |
| Portland, OROregon | $34.22 | — |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $32.49 | — |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $33.72 | — |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $31.71 | — |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $32.86 | — |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $33.44 | — |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $31.72 | — |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $32.29 | — |
| TennesseeTennessee | $31.33 | — |
| Austin, TXTexas | $33.39 | — |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $31.60 | — |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $32.64 | — |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $32.77 | — |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $32.66 | — |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $32.69 | — |
| Houston, TXTexas | $33.06 | — |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $32.05 | — |
| UtahUtah | $31.94 | — |
| VirginiaVirginia | $32.33 | — |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $32.86 | — |
| VermontVermont | $32.28 | — |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $33.47 | — |
| King County, WAWashington | $36.34 | — |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $31.77 | — |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $31.45 | — |
| WyomingWyoming | $32.56 | — |
88387 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.
$30.71
$43.23
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 | $43.23 | 1 |
| AL | $30.94 | 1 |
| AR | $30.71 | 1 |
| AZ | $32.26 | 1 |
| CA | $33.92–$39.94 | 29 |
| CO | $33.60 | 1 |
| CT | $34.20 | 1 |
| DC | $36.03 | 1 |
| DE | $32.62 | 1 |
| FL | $32.54–$34.25 | 3 |
| GA | $31.56–$33.12 | 2 |
| GU | $34.10 | 1 |
| HI | $34.10 | 1 |
| IA | $31.31 | 1 |
| ID | $31.42 | 1 |
| IL | $32.06–$33.80 | 4 |
| IN | $31.51 | 1 |
| KS | $31.25 | 1 |
| KY | $31.34 | 1 |
| LA | $31.32–$32.11 | 2 |
| MA | $33.56–$35.81 | 2 |
| MD | $33.02–$36.03 | 3 |
| ME | $31.52–$32.38 | 2 |
| MI | $31.77–$32.77 | 2 |
| MN | $32.61 | 1 |
| MO | $31.06–$32.16 | 3 |
| MS | $30.89 | 1 |
| MT | $32.73 | 1 |
| NC | $31.69 | 1 |
| ND | $32.34 | 1 |
| NE | $31.39 | 1 |
| NH | $33.14 | 1 |
| NJ | $34.71–$35.96 | 2 |
| NM | $31.87 | 1 |
| NV | $32.63 | 1 |
| NY | $31.93–$36.86 | 5 |
| OH | $31.69 | 1 |
| OK | $31.30 | 1 |
| OR | $32.49–$34.22 | 2 |
| PA | $31.71–$33.72 | 2 |
| PR | $32.86 | 1 |
| RI | $33.44 | 1 |
| SC | $31.72 | 1 |
| SD | $32.29 | 1 |
| TN | $31.33 | 1 |
| TX | $31.60–$33.39 | 8 |
| UT | $31.94 | 1 |
| VA | $32.33–$36.03 | 2 |
| VI | $32.86 | 1 |
| VT | $32.28 | 1 |
| WA | $33.47–$36.34 | 2 |
| WI | $31.77 | 1 |
| WV | $31.45 | 1 |
| WY | $32.56 | 1 |
How the 88387 rate is calculated
Each of 88387’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 · 88387
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.60
0.60 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense0.36
0.36 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.02
0.02 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
0.9800
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$32.73
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact Kentucky inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
11,323
- Code
- 88387
- Physician work
- 0.60
- Practice expense
- 0.36
- Malpractice
- 0.02
GPCI2026.csv
55
- Locality
- Kentucky
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.889
- Malpractice
- 0.915
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.60 | × 1.000 | 0.6000 |
| Practice expense | 0.36 | × 0.889 | 0.3200 |
| Malpractice | 0.02 | × 0.915 | 0.0183 |
| Total RVUs | 0.9383 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Kentucky$31.34
Office: (0.6 × 1 + 0.36 × 0.889 + 0.02 × 0.915) × $33.4009 = $31.34
Payment rules and modifiers for 88387
The CMS indicators that decide how 88387 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 88387
Tissue preparation, first specimen
| 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
88387 without 26 · national office
$32.73
Tissue preparation, first specimen
88387-26 · Professional component
$25.38
Pays only the interpretation and report.
How 88387 has changed in Kentucky
88387 · Office / nonfacility
$31.34
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $0.48 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $30.86 to $31.34 (1.6%).
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
$30.86changed to$31.34
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 0.62 changed to 0.60
- Practice expense GPCI 0.877 changed to 0.889
- Malpractice GPCI 0.913 changed to 0.915
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$31.46changed to$30.86
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 0.35 changed to 0.36
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$30.95changed to$31.46
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$32.55changed to$30.95
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 0.37 changed to 0.35
- Practice expense GPCI 0.873 changed to 0.877
- Malpractice GPCI 0.870 changed to 0.913
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$32.85changed to$32.55
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 0.36 changed to 0.37
- Practice expense GPCI 0.869 changed to 0.873
- Malpractice GPCI 0.827 changed to 0.870
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$33.73changed to$32.85
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 0.38 changed to 0.36
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$34.32changed to$33.73
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 0.36 changed to 0.38
- Practice expense GPCI 0.874 changed to 0.869
- Malpractice GPCI 0.823 changed to 0.827
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$34.33changed to$34.32
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 0.35 changed to 0.36
- Malpractice RVU 0.03 changed to 0.02
- Practice expense GPCI 0.880 changed to 0.874
- Malpractice GPCI 0.819 changed to 0.823
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$33.98changed to$34.33
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 0.34 changed to 0.35
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$36.64changed to$33.98
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Practice expense RVU 0.43 changed to 0.34
- Practice expense GPCI 0.876 changed to 0.880
- Malpractice GPCI 0.807 changed to 0.819
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
$39.91changed to$36.64
- Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
- Practice expense RVU 0.54 changed to 0.43
- Practice expense GPCI 0.872 changed to 0.876
- Malpractice GPCI 0.795 changed to 0.807
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
$40.40changed to$39.91
- Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
- Practice expense RVU 0.56 changed to 0.54
- Malpractice RVU 0.02 changed to 0.03
Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
July 1, 2015
RVU15C
$40.20changed to$40.40
- Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335
Held through RVU15D.
January 1, 2015
RVU15A
$34.01changed to$40.20
- Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
- Practice expense RVU 0.36 changed to 0.56
- Malpractice GPCI 0.774 changed to 0.795
Held through RVU15B.
January 1, 2014
RVU14A
$31.98changed to$34.01
- Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
- Practice expense RVU 0.35 changed to 0.36
- Practice expense GPCI 0.871 changed to 0.872
- Malpractice GPCI 0.752 changed to 0.774
Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: $31.98
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $31.34 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $31.34 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $31.34 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $31.34 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $30.86 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $30.86 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $30.86 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $30.86 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $31.46 | Not available in this setting | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $31.46 | Not available in this setting | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $31.46 | Not available in this setting | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $31.46 | Not available in this setting | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $30.95 | Not available in this setting | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $32.55 | Not available in this setting | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $32.55 | Not available in this setting | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $32.55 | Not available in this setting | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $32.55 | Not available in this setting | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $32.85 | Not available in this setting | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $32.85 | Not available in this setting | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $32.85 | Not available in this setting | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $32.85 | Not available in this setting | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $33.73 | Not available in this setting | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $33.73 | Not available in this setting | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $33.73 | Not available in this setting | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $33.73 | Not available in this setting | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $34.32 | Not available in this setting | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $34.32 | Not available in this setting | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $34.32 | Not available in this setting | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $34.32 | Not available in this setting | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $34.33 | Not available in this setting | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $34.33 | Not available in this setting | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $34.33 | Not available in this setting | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $34.33 | Not available in this setting | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $33.98 | Not available in this setting | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $33.98 | Not available in this setting | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $33.98 | Not available in this setting | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $33.98 | Not available in this setting | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $36.64 | Not available in this setting | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $36.64 | Not available in this setting | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $36.64 | Not available in this setting | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $36.64 | Not available in this setting | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | $39.91 | Not available in this setting | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $39.91 | Not available in this setting | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $39.91 | Not available in this setting | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $39.91 | Not available in this setting | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | $40.40 | Not available in this setting | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | $40.40 | Not available in this setting | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | $40.20 | Not available in this setting | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | $40.20 | Not available in this setting | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | $34.01 | Not available in this setting | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | $34.01 | Not available in this setting | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | $34.01 | Not available in this setting | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | $34.01 | Not available in this setting | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | $31.98 | Not available in this setting | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | $31.98 | Not available in this setting | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | $31.98 | Not available in this setting | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | $31.98 | Not available in this setting | RVU13AR |
Where the Kentucky rate applies
Kentucky is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 553 cities and communities in Kentucky. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Adairville
- Ages
- Albany
- Alexandria
- Allen
- Allensville
- Anchorage
- Annville
88387 billing questions
How is 88387 different from 88363?
88387 covers macroscopic dissection and preparation of tissue for a nonmicroscopic study. 88363 concerns examining and selecting tissue already in an archive for molecular analysis.
When is 88388 used instead?
88387 represents preparation of the first specimen; 88388 is the related code for each additional specimen when the service is performed on more than one.
Does 88387 include the molecular assay?
No. It represents the gross tissue selection and preparation, not the downstream molecular analysis.
Which modifiers identify the components?
Use modifier 26 for the professional interpretation and TC for the technical service. Without either modifier, the claim represents the global service.
How does this differ from microdissection?
88387 describes macroscopic selection and preparation. Codes 88380 and 88381 describe laser and manual microdissection, respectively.
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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