Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope
Medicare pricing data for 8,297 providers across 51 states
This procedure has a 8.0x markup — hospitals charge $72.24 but Medicare allows only $9.03. Uninsured patients may face bills 8.0 times higher than what insurance negotiates. Prices vary significantly by location — from $6 in Idaho to $22 in Arkansas. Where you get this procedure matters more than almost any other factor. 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 (HCPCS code 88302) is a medical procedure billed to Medicare. The average Medicare-allowed cost is $9.03, but hospitals typically charge $72.24 — a 8.0x 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 $9.03, your out-of-pocket cost would be approximately $1.81. 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 8.0x more than what Medicare allows for this procedure. Medicare actually pays $6.98 on average.
Cost by State
Medicare-allowed amounts vary significantly by state
| State | Allowed Cost | Hospital Charge | Providers | Services | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | $22 | $40 | 88 | 2,207 | +140.5% |
| Washington | $14 | $55 | 154 | 1,025 | +53.4% |
| Puerto Rico | $12 | $14 | 25 | 49 | +38.0% |
| Connecticut | $12 | $85 | 115 | 483 | +33.3% |
| California | $12 | $80 | 820 | 6,498 | +27.6% |
| Delaware | $10 | $55 | 27 | 231 | +16.2% |
| Alabama | $10 | $73 | 117 | 947 | +12.6% |
| Maryland | $10 | $63 | 185 | 1,541 | +9.1% |
| Georgia | $10 | $70 | 191 | 1,158 | +6.3% |
| Nevada | $9 | $122 | 45 | 281 | +2.7% |
| New Jersey | $9 | $80 | 221 | 2,169 | -2.4% |
| Florida | $9 | $95 | 504 | 4,313 | -3.9% |
| Virginia | $8 | $75 | 168 | 1,258 | -6.2% |
| Oklahoma | $8 | $53 | 69 | 576 | -7.3% |
| Alaska | $8 | $125 | 12 | 72 | -7.6% |
| Texas | $8 | $95 | 658 | 3,671 | -7.9% |
| Arizona | $8 | $44 | 174 | 1,109 | -8.6% |
| New York | $8 | $60 | 560 | 4,415 | -8.9% |
| Kansas | $8 | $70 | 91 | 665 | -9.9% |
| Oregon | $8 | $49 | 83 | 265 | -14.1% |
| Mississippi | $8 | $67 | 69 | 504 | -14.7% |
| Colorado | $8 | $79 | 116 | 556 | -15.3% |
| Illinois | $8 | $88 | 379 | 2,275 | -15.6% |
| Tennessee | $8 | $53 | 220 | 1,398 | -16.7% |
| Indiana | $8 | $95 | 147 | 1,115 | -16.8% |
| North Dakota | $7 | $48 | 34 | 301 | -17.1% |
| Pennsylvania | $7 | $61 | 397 | 2,823 | -17.6% |
| North Carolina | $7 | $72 | 207 | 1,372 | -17.9% |
| District of Columbia | $7 | $61 | 30 | 329 | -18.1% |
| Minnesota | $7 | $63 | 179 | 704 | -18.3% |
| Nebraska | $7 | $53 | 54 | 403 | -18.3% |
| Ohio | $7 | $82 | 362 | 2,158 | -18.4% |
| Massachusetts | $7 | $48 | 335 | 2,338 | -19.8% |
| Michigan | $7 | $65 | 242 | 1,374 | -20.7% |
| Missouri | $7 | $73 | 181 | 976 | -21.8% |
| South Carolina | $7 | $88 | 125 | 1,035 | -22.3% |
| Louisiana | $7 | $62 | 130 | 736 | -22.4% |
| Wisconsin | $7 | $108 | 172 | 819 | -22.4% |
| Iowa | $7 | $79 | 82 | 741 | -22.9% |
| New Mexico | $7 | $66 | 41 | 261 | -23.6% |
| Rhode Island | $7 | $90 | 40 | 162 | -23.6% |
| Maine | $7 | $29 | 34 | 179 | -24.1% |
| Hawaii | $7 | $40 | 25 | 94 | -24.4% |
| Kentucky | $7 | $67 | 117 | 839 | -24.7% |
| New Hampshire | $7 | $109 | 41 | 191 | -24.7% |
| Montana | $7 | $40 | 23 | 205 | -24.9% |
| South Dakota | $7 | $32 | 35 | 230 | -25.5% |
| Utah | $7 | $76 | 49 | 167 | -27.6% |
| Vermont | $7 | $55 | 28 | 152 | -27.9% |
| West Virginia | $6 | $50 | 49 | 339 | -28.1% |
| Idaho | $6 | $57 | 15 | 52 | -30.2% |
⚠️ 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