CPT code 88108: Concentrated cytology2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington
Reports cytologic evaluation of a non-gynecologic specimen prepared by concentration, with microscopic examination and interpretation of the resulting slides.
Medicare pays $71.68–$81.61 for 88108 in the office in Washington, from Rest Of Washington to Seattle (King Cnty). 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 88108 covers
The laboratory concentrates cells from a non-gynecologic specimen and prepares material for microscopic examination. Sputum processed by a concentration method such as the Saccomanno technique is a classic example; urine, bronchial washings, and body-cavity fluids may also be evaluated this way. A pathologist or other qualified physician interprets the prepared slides for cellular abnormalities, including evidence of malignancy.
Choose this service when the documented preparation uses a concentration technique, rather than basing code selection on the specimen source alone. The record should identify the specimen and support the preparation and interpretive work performed. The global service includes the technical work and interpretation. Report modifier 26 for the professional interpretation alone or modifier TC for the technical work, including equipment and staff.
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 88108 pays more and less in Washington
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Rest Of Washington | $71.68 | Unavailable |
| Seattle (King Cnty) | $81.61 | Unavailable |
How the 88108 rate is calculated
Each of 88108’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 · 88108
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.43
0.43 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense1.61
1.61 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.02
0.02 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
2.0600
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$68.81
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 88108
The CMS indicators that decide how 88108 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 88108
Concentrated cytology
| 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 | 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
88108 without 26 · national office
$68.81
Concentrated cytology
88108-26 · Professional component
$21.38
Pays only the interpretation and report.
88108 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 88104Fluid cytology
- 88104 is selected for the applicable non-gynecologic smear service without the concentration method that distinguishes 88108.
- 88106Fluid cytology
- 88106 is tied to filter preparation; 88108 is appropriate when the specimen is prepared using a concentration technique.
- 88112Selective-enhancement cytology
- 88112 covers cell-enhancement preparation, including cell-block methods. Choose 88108 when the documented method is concentration instead.
88108 billing questions
How does 88108 differ from 88104?
Use 88108 when the laboratory concentrates the specimen before preparing material for examination. Use 88104 for the applicable non-gynecologic smear service when the preparation is not by concentration.
When should 88106 be considered instead?
88106 describes a filter-based preparation. Select between it and 88108 according to the documented laboratory preparation method, not just the specimen type.
Which modifiers identify the professional and technical work?
Modifier 26 reports the professional interpretation, and modifier TC reports the technical work. Without either modifier, the claim represents the global service.
What documentation supports reporting 88108?
Document the non-gynecologic specimen source and the concentration preparation performed, along with the resulting cytologic interpretation. The preparation method helps distinguish this service from a direct smear or another enhanced preparation.
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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