Billing code 88291: Cytogenetic reportMedicare rate & RVUs in Oregon
Report this service for professional interpretation of cytogenetic or molecular cytogenetic study findings, with a written report distinct from laboratory testing.
Medicare pays $32.81–$34.87 for 88291 in the office in Oregon, from Rest Of Oregon to Portland. 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 88291 covers
A qualified interpreting professional reviews results from cytogenetic or molecular cytogenetic testing, interprets the findings, and prepares a report. The studies may involve chromosome analysis or molecular cytogenetic methods such as DNA-probe testing. These services are commonly performed through clinical laboratories serving hospitals, physician practices, and other diagnostic settings; the interpretation may inform evaluation of suspected chromosomal abnormalities or other genetic conditions.
Report 88291 for the interpretation and report, not for specimen processing or the laboratory testing itself. The documentation should support the study reviewed, the interpreting professional’s findings, and the resulting report. CMS identifies 88291 as a professional-component-only code; the technical portion is reported separately using the code for the test performed. Select that technical code according to the method and study, such as DNA-probe testing or chromosome analysis. The professional interpretation and the technical service may therefore appear as separate lines for the same study.
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 88291 pays more and less in Oregon
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Portland | $34.87 | $34.87 |
| Rest Of Oregon | $32.81 | $32.81 |
How the 88291 rate is calculated
Each of 88291’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 · 88291
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.51
0.51 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense0.46
0.46 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.02
0.02 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
0.9900
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$33.07
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 88291
The CMS indicators that decide how 88291 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 88291
Cytogenetic report
| 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. |
88291 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 88271Cytogenetics dna probe
- Use 88271 for the DNA-probe testing service. Use 88291 for professional interpretation and reporting of cytogenetic or molecular cytogenetic findings.
- 88280Chromosome karyotype study
- 88280 describes a chromosome-analysis study. 88291 describes interpretation and reporting, rather than the analysis itself.
- 88299Unlisted cytogenetic study
- 88299 is for an unlisted cytogenetic study when no specific study code fits. It is not a substitute for reporting interpretation of a study.
88291 billing questions
How is 88291 different from 88271?
88291 represents interpretation and reporting. 88271 describes DNA-probe testing, the technical service, when that method is performed.
Does 88291 include laboratory testing or specimen processing?
No. CMS identifies 88291 as professional-component-only; the technical portion is coded separately based on the cytogenetic method performed.
What documentation supports reporting 88291?
Keep the interpreted study results and the written report documenting the professional findings. The record should identify the study being interpreted.
Can 88291 be reported with chromosome analysis?
Yes, when the professional interpretation and report are performed for a chromosome analysis study. Report the applicable technical service separately.
Does 88291 represent a count of cells or probes?
No. It represents the interpretation and report; cell counts or probe details belong to selection of the separate technical study code.
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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