Billing code 88188: Flow cytometryMedicare rate & RVUs in Illinois
Reports a pathologist’s interpretation of flow cytometry findings when the analysis includes 9–15 markers, commonly for suspected hematologic malignancy.
Medicare pays $58.07–$61.41 for 88188 in the office in Illinois, from Rest Of Illinois to Chicago. Which amount applies depends on the service address.
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 9 sections
What 88188 covers
This service is the professional interpretation and written report of flow cytometry findings from a panel of 9–15 markers. A pathologist or other qualified laboratory professional may evaluate results from peripheral blood, bone marrow, lymph node, or fluid specimens when assessing suspected leukemia, lymphoma, or another hematologic disorder. The report interprets the cell populations and marker pattern in the clinical context; it is not the laboratory work that processes and analyzes the specimen.
Select this code according to the number of markers included in the interpretation: 9–15. The record should support the specimen examined, markers assessed, findings, and resulting interpretation. Report the professional service separately from the applicable technical flow cytometry services; the technical portion is covered by separate codes. This code represents interpretation and reporting only.
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 88188 pays more and less in Illinois
The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.
4 payment localities
$58.07 to $61.41
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $61.41 | $61.41 |
| East St. Louis | $59.09 | $59.09 |
| Rest Of Illinois | $58.07 | $58.07 |
| Suburban Chicago | $60.74 | $60.74 |
How the 88188 rate is calculated
Each of 88188’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 · 88188
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work1.17
1.17 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense0.52
0.52 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.06
0.06 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
1.7500
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$58.45
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 88188
The CMS indicators that decide how 88188 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 88188
Flow cytometry
| 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 | 2 | Professional component only. |
88188 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 88187Flow cytometry
- Use 88187 when the professional interpretation covers 2–8 markers; 88188 is for 9–15.
- 88189Flow cytometry
- Use 88189 when the professional interpretation covers 16 or more markers; 88188 is for 9–15.
- 88184Flow cytometry
- 88184 represents technical flow cytometry work for the first marker. 88188 represents professional interpretation and reporting for a 9–15-marker panel.
88188 billing questions
How is 88188 selected over 88187 or 88189?
Choose 88188 when the interpretation covers 9–15 markers. The neighboring interpretation codes represent 2–8 markers and 16 or more markers, respectively.
Does 88188 include specimen processing and flow analysis?
No. It covers the professional interpretation and report; separate codes represent the technical flow cytometry work.
Should modifier 26 be appended?
No. 88188 is a professional-component-only code for interpretation and reporting.
Is 88188 reported once per marker?
No. Select the interpretation code based on the total marker count; 88188 represents a 9–15-marker analysis, not an individual marker.
What documentation supports reporting 88188?
Document the specimen, the markers assessed, the interpreted findings, and the report. The documentation should support that the interpreted panel falls within the 9–15-marker range.
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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