$50.63–$54.39
88333 is for the initial cytologic specimen; 88334 describes each additional cytologic specimen examined during the consultation.
On this page
CMS RVU26D · Effective 2026-10-01
88333 Surgical cytology Medicare reimbursement rates in Georgia
A pathologist rapidly evaluates an initial intraoperative tissue specimen using a cytologic preparation to guide an immediate surgical decision. Compare 88333 office and facility rates across CMS payment localities in Georgia.
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.
What does Medicare pay for 88333 in Georgia?
Georgia has 2 payment localities in this comparison. Use the service location to choose the applicable amount. These are the supported base rates for the 2 payment areas shown below, using the same CMS release.
Office / nonfacility
$83.18–$89.27
2 of 2 localities have a supported rate.
Facility setting
No supported rate
These are locality ranges, not averages or address-specific quotes. A facility-setting amount covers the physician service; it does not include a hospital’s separate bill. Choose a locality below to inspect its calculation, compare other payment areas, or price a percentage of Medicare.
Surgical pathology
About 88333: Intraoperative cytology consultation, initial specimen
A pathologist rapidly evaluates an initial intraoperative tissue specimen using a cytologic preparation to guide an immediate surgical decision.
During surgery, a pathologist examines a rapid cytologic preparation of tissue submitted by the operating team. Common preparations include a touch prep or squash prep. The pathologist interprets the cells and communicates a preliminary finding while the patient is still in the operating room, helping the surgeon make an immediate decision. This service is typically performed in a hospital or other surgical setting where the pathologist can provide an intraoperative consultation.
Report 88333 for the initial cytologic specimen examined; use 88334 for each additional cytologic specimen. The record should identify the specimen, document the cytologic method and interpretation, and support that the evaluation occurred during surgery. Modifier 26 represents the professional interpretation, while modifier TC represents the technical work, equipment, and staff. Reporting the code without either modifier represents the global service.
CMS billing rules for 88333
- 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 RVU1.17 · 44%
- Practice expense (office) RVU1.44 · 55%
- Malpractice RVU0.03 · 1%
56.2K
Medicare services in 2024 · #741 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.
88333 compared with similar codes
Office rates for Georgia, from the same CMS release.
$91.18–$98.43
88331 is used for an intraoperative frozen-section examination. Choose 88333 when the pathologist evaluates a cytologic preparation such as a touch or squash prep.
$49.22–$52.90
88329 applies to intraoperative gross examination alone; 88333 requires cytologic examination of a preparation.
Compare 88333 by payment locality
Find the payment area for your service address, then open its rate page for calculation inputs, release history and the percentage-of-Medicare tool. A city may cross payment-area boundaries; the ZIP lookup above helps resolve the location.
2 of 2 payment localities
Atlanta →
Office / nonfacility
$89.27
Facility
Unavailable
Rest Of Georgia →
Office / nonfacility
$83.18
Facility
Unavailable
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88333 billing questions
When should 88333 be chosen instead of 88331?
Use 88333 for an intraoperative cytologic preparation, such as a touch prep or squash prep. Use 88331 when the pathologist examines a frozen tissue section.
How is another cytologic specimen reported?
88333 covers the initial cytologic specimen. Report 88334 for each additional cytologic specimen examined during the intraoperative consultation.
Can the professional and technical portions be billed separately?
Yes. Modifier 26 identifies the pathologist’s interpretation, and modifier TC identifies the technical portion. Without either modifier, 88333 represents the global service.
What documentation supports 88333?
Document the specimen examined, the cytologic preparation and findings, and the intraoperative communication to the surgical team. The record should establish that the evaluation took place during surgery.
Is 88333 for gross examination alone?
No. 88333 involves cytologic evaluation of a preparation. An intraoperative consultation limited to gross examination is represented by 88329.
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.
11,23988332,,Path consltj surg ea add blk,A,,0.58,1.00,,1.00,NA,0.02,1.60,1.60,1,XXX,0.00,0.00,0.00,0,0,0,0,0,9,,33.4009,09,0,99,0.00,0.00,0.00
11,24088332,26,Path consltj surg ea add blk,A,,0.58,0.28,,0.28,,0.01,0.87,0.87,1,XXX,0.00,0.00,0.00,0,0,0,0,0,9,,33.4009,09,0,99,0.00,0.00,0.00
11,24188332,TC,Path consltj surg ea add blk,A,,0.00,0.72,,0.72,NA,0.01,0.73,0.73,1,XXX,0.00,0.00,0.00,0,0,0,0,0,9,,33.4009,09,0,99,0.00,0.00,0.00
11,24288333,,Path consltj surg cyto xm 1,A,,1.17,1.44,,1.44,NA,0.03,2.64,2.64,1,XXX,0.00,0.00,0.00,0,0,0,0,0,9,,33.4009,09,0,99,0.00,0.00,0.00
11,24388333,26,Path consltj surg cyto xm 1,A,,1.17,0.53,,0.53,,0.02,1.72,1.72,1,XXX,0.00,0.00,0.00,0,0,0,0,0,9,,33.4009,09,0,99,0.00,0.00,0.00
11,24488333,TC,Path consltj surg cyto xm 1,A,,0.00,0.91,,0.91,NA,0.01,0.92,0.92,1,XXX,0.00,0.00,0.00,0,0,0,0,0,9,,33.4009,09,0,99,0.00,0.00,0.00
11,24588334,,Path consltj surg cyto xm ea,A,,0.71,0.89,,0.89,NA,0.01,1.61,1.61,1,ZZZ,0.00,0.00,0.00,0,0,0,0,0,9,,33.4009,09,0,99,0.00,0.00,0.00