Billing code 88369: ISH morphometryMedicare rate & RVUs in Texas
Reports computer-assisted quantitative or semiquantitative morphometric analysis of in situ hybridization, such as probe-based FISH testing.
Medicare pays $119.38–$135.02 for 88369 in the office in Texas, from Beaumont to Austin. 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 88369 covers
This service uses computer-assisted image analysis to quantify or semiquantify signals in tissue cells examined by in situ hybridization, including fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). A pathologist or laboratory specialist may evaluate probe signals to assess a molecular finding such as gene amplification in a tumor specimen. It is distinct from simply performing or interpreting a routine histologic stain; the work is the morphometric analysis of the ISH result.
Report 88369 as an add-on with the required primary procedure, not by itself; CMS pays it within that procedure’s global period. The record should identify the specimen and probe, describe the computerized quantitative or semiquantitative analysis, and support the reported interpretation. Modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, while modifier TC identifies the technical work, including equipment and staff. Reporting without either modifier represents the global service.
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 88369 pays more and less in Texas
The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.
8 payment localities
$119.38 to $135.02
8 of 8 payment localities
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Austin | $135.02 | Unavailable |
| Beaumont | $119.38 | Unavailable |
| Brazoria | $128.01 | Unavailable |
| Dallas | $128.61 | Unavailable |
| Fort Worth | $127.57 | Unavailable |
| Galveston | $128.26 | Unavailable |
| Houston | $128.62 | Unavailable |
| Rest Of Texas | $123.48 | Unavailable |
How the 88369 rate is calculated
Each of 88369’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 · 88369
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.68
0.68 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense3.16
3.16 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.02
0.02 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
3.8600
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$128.93
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 88369
The CMS indicators that decide how 88369 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 88369
ISH morphometry
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | ZZZ | Add-on code: falls within the primary procedure’s global period. |
| 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 | 1 | Diagnostic test with separate professional (26) and technical (TC) components. |
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 26 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
88369 without 26 · national office
$128.93
ISH morphometry
88369-26 · Professional component
$32.06
Pays only the interpretation and report.
88369 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 88373ISH analysis
- 88369 represents the initial single-probe stain procedure in this morphometric analysis series; 88373 represents each additional single-probe stain procedure.
- 88374ISH analysis
- 88374 is for morphometric analysis of a multiplex probe stain procedure, rather than the single-probe stain procedure represented by 88369.
- 88361Tumor immunohistochemistry
- 88361 is computer-assisted morphometric analysis of tumor immunohistochemistry. Choose 88369 when the analysis is of in situ hybridization.
88369 billing questions
Can 88369 be reported by itself?
No. CMS identifies it as an add-on code, so it must be billed with a primary procedure and is paid within that procedure’s global period.
When should 88369 be distinguished from 88373?
88369 is for the initial single-probe stain procedure in this morphometric analysis series. 88373 is for each additional single-probe stain procedure.
How are modifiers 26 and TC used?
Use modifier 26 for the professional interpretation and modifier TC for the technical service. Without either modifier, the claim represents the global service.
What documentation supports 88369?
Document the specimen and probe evaluated, the computer-assisted quantitative or semiquantitative analysis performed, and the resulting interpretation.
Is 88369 a test for routine immunohistochemistry?
No. It describes morphometric analysis of in situ hybridization. Tumor immunohistochemistry analysis is represented by a different code family.
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
Fee sheets
Put 88369 and the rest of your codes on one sheet
Build a fee sheet from your own code list at your locality, put your payer contracts beside Medicare, and see what changed each quarter.
Build my fee sheetOr price your code list free →