Billing code 88106: Fluid cytologyMedicare rate & RVUs

Medicare pays $67.47 for 88106 nationally in the office. Local office rates run $59.31–$92.39.

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

What 88106 covers

This service evaluates cells from a non-gynecologic fluid, washing, or brushing after the laboratory uses filtration to prepare material for microscopic examination. Common specimens include pleural or peritoneal fluid, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, and bronchial washings. Cytotechnologists typically prepare and screen the slides, with a pathologist providing the cytologic interpretation. The service is performed in a clinical laboratory or pathology department for diagnostic evaluation, such as investigating abnormal cells in an effusion or urinary specimen.

Select this code when the documented specimen is non-gynecologic and the laboratory used a filter-based preparation, rather than a direct smear or another preparation method. The record should identify the specimen source, the preparation technique, and the interpretation. Report the global service without a component modifier; use modifier 26 for the professional interpretation or modifier TC for the technical preparation and laboratory work when those components are billed separately. The CMS file separately prices both components.

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 88106 pays more and less

The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.

109 of 109 payment localities

88106 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

How the 88106 rate is calculated

Each of 88106’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.

Payment rules and modifiers for 88106

The CMS indicators that decide how 88106 is paid alongside other services.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 26

88106 compared with similar codes

How to choose

88104Fluid cytology

Choose 88106 when filtration is the documented preparation method. Choose 88104 for the corresponding non-gynecologic fluid, washing, or brushing smear service without that filter method.

88108Concentrated cytology

Both cover non-gynecologic fluid cytology, but 88108 uses a concentration technique. The documented laboratory preparation method distinguishes it from 88106.

88112Selective-enhancement cytology

88112 identifies selective cellular enhancement, not filter-based preparation. Use the code that matches the method actually used to prepare the specimen.

Codes related to 88106

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

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

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates