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CMS RVU26D · Effective 2026-10-01

88121 in El Centro

Office / nonfacility

$428.27

Base rate per service

Facility setting

Not available in this setting

Base rate per service

Amounts below use the non-QP conversion factor for participating physicians. These are base physician payments before claim-level adjustments, not patient costs or total hospital charges.

Cytopathology

About 88121: Computer-assisted urinary FISH analysis

Computer-assisted in situ hybridization evaluates urinary tract cells with three to five probes, typically supporting assessment or surveillance for urothelial carcinoma.

88121 represents computer-assisted cytopathologic analysis of a urinary tract specimen using in situ hybridization with a panel of three to five probes. The method evaluates probe signals in urothelial cells for chromosomal changes associated with urothelial carcinoma; it may be used when evaluating hematuria or monitoring a patient with a history of bladder cancer. Laboratory staff prepare and analyze the specimen, with a pathologist or other qualified professional interpreting the findings. Pathology and molecular diagnostic laboratories commonly perform this service.

Report one unit for each specimen examined. Documentation should identify the urinary specimen, the probe panel and count, the computer-assisted method, and the interpretation. This distinguishes 88121 from 88120, which describes the corresponding service without computer assistance. CMS recognizes professional and technical components: modifier 26 identifies interpretation, modifier TC identifies equipment and staff, and billing without either modifier represents the global service.

CMS billing rules for 88121

Professional and technical components
Diagnostic test with a professional component (modifier 26, interpretation) and a technical component (modifier TC, equipment and staff); billing without a modifier is the global service.

Where the value comes from

  • Work RVU0.98 · 8%
  • Practice expense (office) RVU10.77 · 91%
  • Malpractice RVU0.04 · 0%

21.5K

Medicare services in 2024 · #1118 by national volume

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.

88121 compared with similar codes

Office rates for El Centro, from the same CMS release.

88120

Urine FISH

Three to five probes

$590.12

Choose 88121 when the urinary in situ hybridization analysis is computer-assisted. 88120 describes the corresponding three-to-five-probe service without computer assistance.

88112

Selective-enhancement cytology

Nongynecologic specimens

$69.93

88112 is a cell-enhanced cytology examination focused on cell morphology. 88121 is a probe-based molecular analysis of a urinary tract specimen.

88104

Fluid cytology

Direct smear method

$90.24

88104 reports morphologic examination of a fluid or washing smear. 88121 reports computer-assisted in situ hybridization with three to five probes.

The same code, a different location

How does El Centro compare?

In Bakersfield, the office rate for 88121 is $428.43—$0.16 higher than the $428.27 rate in El Centro. Both use the same code, release and participation basis.

88121 across payment areas

Same release and payment basis · bars start at $0

  1. El Centro · This locality

    $428.27

  2. $0.16 higher than El Centro

  3. Chico

    $428.27

    The same base rate than El Centro

  4. Fresno

    $428.27

    The same base rate than El Centro

  5. The same base rate than El Centro

  6. $32.25 higher than El Centro

  7. Madera

    $428.27

    The same base rate than El Centro

Other payment areas listed in California appear first, followed by selected cross-country examples. The chart compares amounts, not distance.

Across 109 of 109 CMS payment localities with a supported office rate, 88121 ranges from $342.43 in Arkansas to $555.78 in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (San Benito Cnty). This is a geographic range, not an average.

The code’s RVUs stay the same in these comparisons. Geographic adjustments to work, practice expense and malpractice change the dollar amount. A city name alone may not identify the payment area for a service address.

Compare all 108 other payment areas
  • Merced

    California · 88121

    Office

    $428.27

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Modesto

    California · 88121

    Office

    $428.27

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Napa

    California · 88121

    Office

    $509.59

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $81.32 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura

    California · 88121

    Office

    $459.68

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $31.41 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Redding

    California · 88121

    Office

    $428.27

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Rest Of California

    California · 88121

    Office

    $428.27

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario

    California · 88121

    Office

    $428.72

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.45 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom

    California · 88121

    Office

    $452.99

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $24.72 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Salinas

    California · 88121

    Office

    $451.39

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $23.12 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad

    California · 88121

    Office

    $464.67

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $36.40 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (Marin Cnty)

    California · 88121

    Office

    $543.67

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $115.40 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (San Francisco/San Mateo/Alameda/Contra Costa Cnty)

    California · 88121

    Office

    $543.63

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $115.36 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (San Benito Cnty)

    California · 88121

    Office

    $555.78

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $127.51 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (Santa Clara Cnty)

    California · 88121

    Office

    $555.59

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $127.32 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles

    California · 88121

    Office

    $443.74

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $15.47 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Santa Cruz-Watsonville

    California · 88121

    Office

    $471.21

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $42.94 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara

    California · 88121

    Office

    $453.81

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $25.54 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Santa Rosa-Petaluma

    California · 88121

    Office

    $476.18

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $47.91 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Stockton

    California · 88121

    Office

    $428.27

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Vallejo

    California · 88121

    Office

    $509.53

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $81.26 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Visalia

    California · 88121

    Office

    $428.27

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Yuba City

    California · 88121

    Office

    $428.27

    Facility

    Unavailable

    The same base rate than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Dc + Md/Va Suburbs

    District of Columbia · 88121

    Office

    $459.75

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $31.48 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Miami

    Florida · 88121

    Office

    $410.59

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $17.68 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Chicago

    Illinois · 88121

    Office

    $397.55

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $30.72 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Manhattan

    New York · 88121

    Office

    $454.95

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $26.68 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Alaska*

    Alaska · 88121

    Office

    $432.95

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $4.68 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Alabama

    Alabama · 88121

    Office

    $348.25

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $80.02 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Arkansas

    Arkansas · 88121

    Office

    $342.43

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $85.84 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Arizona

    Arizona · 88121

    Office

    $382.45

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $45.82 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Colorado

    Colorado · 88121

    Office

    $416.92

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $11.35 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Connecticut

    Connecticut · 88121

    Office

    $422.43

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.84 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Delaware

    Delaware · 88121

    Office

    $389.51

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $38.76 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Fort Lauderdale

    Florida · 88121

    Office

    $399.55

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $28.72 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Florida

    Florida · 88121

    Office

    $378.64

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $49.63 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Atlanta

    Georgia · 88121

    Office

    $399.92

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $28.35 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Georgia

    Georgia · 88121

    Office

    $355.20

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $73.07 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Hawaii, Guam

    Hawaii · 88121

    Office

    $442.52

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $14.25 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Iowa

    Iowa · 88121

    Office

    $362.41

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $65.86 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Idaho

    Idaho · 88121

    Office

    $364.31

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $63.96 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • East St. Louis

    Illinois · 88121

    Office

    $366.37

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $61.90 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Illinois

    Illinois · 88121

    Office

    $363.25

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $65.02 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Suburban Chicago

    Illinois · 88121

    Office

    $404.77

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $23.50 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Indiana

    Indiana · 88121

    Office

    $366.85

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $61.42 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Kansas

    Kansas · 88121

    Office

    $358.60

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $69.67 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Kentucky

    Kentucky · 88121

    Office

    $353.75

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $74.52 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • New Orleans

    Louisiana · 88121

    Office

    $372.75

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $55.52 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Louisiana

    Louisiana · 88121

    Office

    $352.37

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $75.90 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Boston

    Massachusetts · 88121

    Office

    $464.78

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $36.51 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Massachusetts

    Massachusetts · 88121

    Office

    $413.11

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $15.16 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Baltimore/Surr. Cntys

    Maryland · 88121

    Office

    $420.90

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $7.37 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Maryland

    Maryland · 88121

    Office

    $398.33

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $29.94 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Maine

    Maine · 88121

    Office

    $364.51

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $63.76 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Southern Maine

    Maine · 88121

    Office

    $390.07

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $38.20 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Detroit

    Michigan · 88121

    Office

    $382.12

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $46.15 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Michigan

    Michigan · 88121

    Office

    $362.67

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $65.60 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Minnesota

    Minnesota · 88121

    Office

    $403.29

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $24.98 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Kansas City

    Missouri · 88121

    Office

    $371.82

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $56.45 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan St. Louis

    Missouri · 88121

    Office

    $376.53

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $51.74 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Missouri

    Missouri · 88121

    Office

    $344.12

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $84.15 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Mississippi

    Mississippi · 88121

    Office

    $343.45

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $84.82 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Montana**

    Montana · 88121

    Office

    $393.79

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $34.48 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • North Carolina

    North Carolina · 88121

    Office

    $369.21

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $59.06 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • North Dakota**

    North Dakota · 88121

    Office

    $393.00

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $35.27 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Nebraska

    Nebraska · 88121

    Office

    $365.27

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $63.00 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • New Hampshire

    New Hampshire · 88121

    Office

    $408.38

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $19.89 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Northern Nj

    New Jersey · 88121

    Office

    $453.51

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $25.24 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Rest Of New Jersey

    New Jersey · 88121

    Office

    $428.33

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $0.06 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • New Mexico

    New Mexico · 88121

    Office

    $364.21

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $64.06 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Nevada**

    Nevada · 88121

    Office

    $393.93

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $34.34 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Nyc Suburbs/Long Island

    New York · 88121

    Office

    $465.03

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $36.76 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Poughkpsie/N Nyc Suburbs

    New York · 88121

    Office

    $429.72

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $1.45 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Queens

    New York · 88121

    Office

    $461.95

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $33.68 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Rest Of New York

    New York · 88121

    Office

    $375.41

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $52.86 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Ohio

    Ohio · 88121

    Office

    $362.51

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $65.76 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Oklahoma

    Oklahoma · 88121

    Office

    $355.01

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $73.26 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Portland

    Oregon · 88121

    Office

    $433.91

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $5.64 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Oregon

    Oregon · 88121

    Office

    $391.96

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $36.31 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Philadelphia

    Pennsylvania · 88121

    Office

    $409.39

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $18.88 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Pennsylvania

    Pennsylvania · 88121

    Office

    $364.23

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $64.04 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Puerto Rico

    Puerto Rico · 88121

    Office

    $397.73

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $30.54 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Rhode Island

    Rhode Island · 88121

    Office

    $406.15

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $22.12 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • South Carolina

    South Carolina · 88121

    Office

    $366.26

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $62.01 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • South Dakota**

    South Dakota · 88121

    Office

    $392.91

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $35.36 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Tennessee

    Tennessee · 88121

    Office

    $360.44

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $67.83 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Austin

    Texas · 88121

    Office

    $414.57

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $13.70 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Beaumont

    Texas · 88121

    Office

    $361.33

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $66.94 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Brazoria

    Texas · 88121

    Office

    $390.53

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $37.74 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Dallas

    Texas · 88121

    Office

    $392.46

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $35.81 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Fort Worth

    Texas · 88121

    Office

    $388.88

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $39.39 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Galveston

    Texas · 88121

    Office

    $391.31

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $36.96 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Houston

    Texas · 88121

    Office

    $392.04

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $36.23 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Texas

    Texas · 88121

    Office

    $375.32

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $52.95 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Utah

    Utah · 88121

    Office

    $372.08

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $56.19 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Virginia

    Virginia · 88121

    Office

    $387.29

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $40.98 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Virgin Islands

    United States Virgin Islands · 88121

    Office

    $397.73

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $30.54 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Vermont

    Vermont · 88121

    Office

    $389.54

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $38.73 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Washington

    Washington · 88121

    Office

    $412.97

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $15.30 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Seattle (King Cnty)

    Washington · 88121

    Office

    $476.85

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $48.58 higher than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Wisconsin

    Wisconsin · 88121

    Office

    $377.76

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $50.51 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • West Virginia

    West Virginia · 88121

    Office

    $347.25

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $81.02 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

  • Wyoming**

    Wyoming · 88121

    Office

    $393.45

    Facility

    Unavailable

    $34.82 lower than El Centro for the office setting.

See how rates vary across the country

88121 · Office / nonfacility · Non-QP. Choose a state to explore its payment localities. A range means the amount varies within that state.

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.

$342.43

$492.03

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

View all state and territory rates as a table
State / territoryRate rangeLocalities
AK$432.951
AL$348.251
AR$342.431
AZ$382.451
CA$428.27–$555.7829
CO$416.921
CT$422.431
DC$459.751
DE$389.511
FL$378.64–$410.593
GA$355.20–$399.922
GU$442.521
HI$442.521
IA$362.411
ID$364.311
IL$363.25–$404.774
IN$366.851
KS$358.601
KY$353.751
LA$352.37–$372.752
MA$413.11–$464.782
MD$398.33–$459.753
ME$364.51–$390.072
MI$362.67–$382.122
MN$403.291
MO$344.12–$376.533
MS$343.451
MT$393.791
NC$369.211
ND$393.001
NE$365.271
NH$408.381
NJ$428.33–$453.512
NM$364.211
NV$393.931
NY$375.41–$465.035
OH$362.511
OK$355.011
OR$391.96–$433.912
PA$364.23–$409.392
PR$397.731
RI$406.151
SC$366.261
SD$392.911
TN$360.441
TX$361.33–$414.578
UT$372.081
VA$387.29–$459.752
VI$397.731
VT$389.541
WA$412.97–$476.852
WI$377.761
WV$347.251
WY$393.451

Explore 88121 on the national rate map →

Where does this rate apply?

El Centro is a Medicare payment area. Our Census mapping connects it to 18 cities and communities in California, including the examples shown here.

Some communities span more than one payment area. Follow a city link to compare all of its mapped areas, or check the service-location ZIP above for an address-level starting point.

Use this rate

What is a percentage of Medicare worth?

Turn a percentage into dollars for 88121 in El Centro. This uses the base rate on this page, so the locality and release stay consistent.

Reference amount per service

$471.10

$428.27 × 110% = $471.10

A contract may specify another Medicare year or additional adjustments. This is percentage arithmetic on the displayed base rate, not a claim adjudication.

Working with a whole code list?

Compare an offer across your annual code mix, including an older Medicare schedule or flat per-code rates.

Compare your contract offer →

How this local rate is calculated

Each RVU component is multiplied by its own geographic practice cost index (GPCI). The three adjusted components are added, then multiplied by the conversion factor. These are the inputs used for 88121 in El Centro.

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

11,118

Code
88121
Physician work
0.98
Practice expense
10.77
Malpractice
0.04

GPCI2026.csv

10

Locality
El Centro
Physician work
1.017
Practice expense
1.096
Malpractice
0.541
Office / nonfacility calculation for 88121 in El Centro
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.98× 1.0170.9967
Practice expense10.77× 1.09611.8039
Malpractice0.04× 0.5410.0216
Total RVUs12.8222
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office / nonfacility rate, El Centro$428.27

Open 88121 in the RVU calculator →

Explore RVUs, geographic factors and the full formula

Office / nonfacility

Office / nonfacility calculation inputs
ComponentRVULocal GPCI
Work0.981.017
Practice expense10.771.096
Malpractice0.040.541

(0.98 × 1.017 + 10.77 × 1.096 + 0.04 × 0.541) × $33.4009 = $428.27

The office and facility calculations use their respective practice-expense RVUs. The facility amount here is the physician fee, not a separate hospital or facility bill.

How this rate has changed

88121 · Office / nonfacility

$428.27

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $1.59 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $426.68 to $428.27 (0.4%).

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

    $426.68changed to$428.27

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.00 changed to 0.98
    • Practice expense RVU 11.12 changed to 10.77
    • Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.017
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.093 changed to 1.096
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.570 changed to 0.541

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    Earliest loaded release: $426.68

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

Explore release dates and calculate this code in an earlier period →

Each row uses the accepted CMS release effective on that date and the same contractor and locality identifiers. Missing rates stay visible. Historical boundaries may differ; verify the service address for an older claim.

Inspect every release and its CMS source
Effective fromOffice / nonfacilityFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$428.27Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$428.27Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$428.27Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$428.27Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$426.68Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$426.68Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$426.68Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$426.68Not available in this settingRVU25A

88121 billing questions

How does 88121 differ from 88120?

Both involve urinary tract specimens and three to five probes. 88121 is the computer-assisted service; 88120 is the corresponding service without computer assistance.

How many units should be reported?

Report one unit for each specimen examined. The three-to-five-probe range describes the panel for the service, not the number of units.

Which modifiers identify the components?

Use modifier 26 for the professional interpretation and modifier TC for the technical service involving equipment and staff. Without either modifier, the claim represents the global service.

Can 88121 be reported with conventional urine cytology?

88121 represents molecular in situ hybridization, while conventional cytology evaluates cell morphology. Report both only when both distinct services were performed and documented.

What documentation supports reporting 88121?

Record the urinary tract specimen, the computer-assisted in situ hybridization method, the three-to-five-probe panel, and the professional interpretation when that component is billed.

Where these rates come from

FeeBase calculates base physician payments from CMS work, practice-expense, and malpractice RVUs, adjusted by each locality’s geographic indices and the applicable conversion factor. Unavailable or separately priced services are labeled rather than assigned a made-up amount.

Source: RVU26D. Effective 2026-10-01 through the day before 2027-01-01.

RVUs for 88121PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 11,118 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for El CentroGPCI2026.csv, line 10 (RVU26D)