Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, limited examination
Medicare pricing data for 9,735 providers across 52 states
This procedure has a 8.9x markup — hospitals charge $44.60 but Medicare allows only $5.00. Uninsured patients may face bills 8.9 times higher than what insurance negotiates. Note: These costs reflect the Medicare physician/supplier component. Hospital facility fees are billed separately and can be 2-5x the physician fee.
💡 What You Should Know
Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, limited examination (HCPCS code 88300) is a medical procedure billed to Medicare. The average Medicare-allowed cost is $5.00, but hospitals typically charge $44.60 — a 8.9x markup. Prices vary significantly by state and provider.
🏷️ Typical Out-of-Pocket Cost
Medicare patients typically pay about 20% of the allowed amount as coinsurance. Based on the average allowed cost of $5.00, your out-of-pocket cost would be approximately $1.00. Actual costs depend on your specific plan, deductible, and whether you've met your annual out-of-pocket maximum.
What Hospitals Charge vs. What Medicare Pays
Hospitals charge 8.9x more than what Medicare allows for this procedure. Medicare actually pays $3.90 on average.
Cost by State
Medicare-allowed amounts vary significantly by state
| State | Allowed Cost | Hospital Charge | Providers | Services | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puerto Rico | $7 | $12 | 46 | 138 | +37.4% |
| New Jersey | $6 | $47 | 245 | 5,656 | +17.8% |
| Oregon | $6 | $23 | 94 | 612 | +14.6% |
| New York | $6 | $39 | 709 | 13,964 | +12.8% |
| Nevada | $5 | $54 | 67 | 1,075 | +8.6% |
| Hawaii | $5 | $24 | 43 | 460 | +7.2% |
| California | $5 | $39 | 1,033 | 24,230 | +7.0% |
| Arizona | $5 | $31 | 190 | 2,418 | +5.8% |
| Georgia | $5 | $38 | 201 | 1,874 | +5.4% |
| Texas | $5 | $58 | 792 | 12,030 | +5.2% |
| Maryland | $5 | $36 | 205 | 2,932 | +5.0% |
| Alaska | $5 | $73 | 14 | 184 | +4.8% |
| Florida | $5 | $59 | 632 | 16,103 | +2.6% |
| Massachusetts | $5 | $43 | 369 | 7,130 | +2.4% |
| New Hampshire | $5 | $116 | 43 | 594 | +0.8% |
| Colorado | $5 | $40 | 142 | 1,872 | +0.4% |
| Connecticut | $5 | $42 | 161 | 2,308 | +0.4% |
| Wyoming | $5 | $55 | 8 | 53 | -1.6% |
| Virginia | $5 | $41 | 185 | 2,336 | -2.2% |
| District of Columbia | $5 | $32 | 41 | 428 | -2.4% |
| Washington | $5 | $36 | 206 | 1,191 | -2.6% |
| Tennessee | $5 | $34 | 259 | 3,565 | -2.8% |
| Kansas | $5 | $48 | 107 | 1,136 | -3.6% |
| Utah | $5 | $42 | 62 | 406 | -4.0% |
| Louisiana | $5 | $37 | 150 | 2,018 | -4.4% |
| Illinois | $5 | $55 | 431 | 6,639 | -6.0% |
| Pennsylvania | $5 | $37 | 464 | 9,736 | -6.8% |
| Mississippi | $5 | $46 | 79 | 1,303 | -7.0% |
| Nebraska | $5 | $31 | 68 | 700 | -8.4% |
| Michigan | $5 | $50 | 302 | 4,812 | -9.0% |
| Oklahoma | $5 | $32 | 82 | 1,244 | -9.0% |
| Rhode Island | $5 | $49 | 41 | 281 | -9.2% |
| Alabama | $5 | $36 | 118 | 1,677 | -9.4% |
| North Dakota | $5 | $32 | 31 | 452 | -10.0% |
| New Mexico | $4 | $44 | 41 | 480 | -10.2% |
| Maine | $4 | $19 | 42 | 225 | -10.8% |
| Arkansas | $4 | $27 | 78 | 1,362 | -11.0% |
| North Carolina | $4 | $43 | 232 | 2,636 | -11.4% |
| Missouri | $4 | $41 | 199 | 3,319 | -11.6% |
| Delaware | $4 | $55 | 25 | 693 | -11.8% |
| Indiana | $4 | $52 | 166 | 4,825 | -12.0% |
| Ohio | $4 | $49 | 412 | 6,129 | -12.6% |
| Montana | $4 | $22 | 21 | 644 | -13.2% |
| Kentucky | $4 | $37 | 129 | 3,020 | -13.6% |
| Wisconsin | $4 | $62 | 165 | 1,293 | -13.6% |
| South Carolina | $4 | $48 | 131 | 2,015 | -14.2% |
| Minnesota | $4 | $30 | 234 | 1,709 | -14.6% |
| Vermont | $4 | $21 | 22 | 159 | -15.0% |
| West Virginia | $4 | $35 | 57 | 761 | -15.6% |
| South Dakota | $4 | $44 | 35 | 230 | -16.8% |
| Iowa | $4 | $38 | 86 | 2,617 | -18.2% |
| Idaho | $4 | $37 | 15 | 107 | -20.2% |
⚠️ Important: These costs reflect the Medicare physician/supplier component. Hospital facility fees may be billed separately. Total out-of-pocket costs may be higher.
💊 Need post-procedure medications? Check costs on OpenPrescriber