Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, high complexity
Medicare pricing data for 8,972 providers across 52 states
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, high complexity (HCPCS code 88309) is a medical procedure billed to Medicare. The average Medicare-allowed cost is $145.98, but hospitals typically charge $551.41 — a 3.8x 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 $145.98, your out-of-pocket cost would be approximately $29.20. 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 3.8x more than what Medicare allows for this procedure. Medicare actually pays $115.69 on average.
Cost by State
Medicare-allowed amounts vary significantly by state
| State | Allowed Cost | Hospital Charge | Providers | Services | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri | $216 | $490 | 199 | 4,415 | +48.0% |
| Alaska | $188 | $1,033 | 14 | 221 | +28.6% |
| New Mexico | $174 | $466 | 47 | 803 | +19.1% |
| California | $155 | $626 | 856 | 12,345 | +6.5% |
| New Jersey | $152 | $577 | 190 | 2,578 | +3.9% |
| District of Columbia | $151 | $446 | 38 | 421 | +3.7% |
| New York | $151 | $660 | 592 | 8,572 | +3.6% |
| Maryland | $151 | $482 | 196 | 3,586 | +3.3% |
| Massachusetts | $150 | $573 | 352 | 5,298 | +2.7% |
| Connecticut | $148 | $576 | 126 | 1,199 | +1.4% |
| Washington | $148 | $441 | 195 | 3,004 | +1.3% |
| Wyoming | $147 | $571 | 12 | 41 | +0.8% |
| Hawaii | $145 | $362 | 30 | 291 | -0.6% |
| Oregon | $145 | $610 | 99 | 1,153 | -0.7% |
| Rhode Island | $145 | $622 | 35 | 346 | -0.8% |
| Colorado | $144 | $499 | 138 | 1,711 | -1.5% |
| Virginia | $143 | $524 | 182 | 3,144 | -2.0% |
| Delaware | $143 | $477 | 23 | 459 | -2.3% |
| Illinois | $143 | $593 | 402 | 4,964 | -2.3% |
| Pennsylvania | $142 | $532 | 448 | 6,501 | -2.4% |
| North Dakota | $141 | $444 | 30 | 321 | -3.5% |
| Minnesota | $141 | $580 | 261 | 2,885 | -3.5% |
| Florida | $141 | $550 | 534 | 8,510 | -3.6% |
| Texas | $141 | $576 | 689 | 8,208 | -3.7% |
| Montana | $140 | $396 | 27 | 598 | -3.9% |
| South Dakota | $140 | $482 | 39 | 798 | -4.0% |
| Iowa | $140 | $624 | 93 | 1,850 | -4.1% |
| New Hampshire | $140 | $1,129 | 45 | 601 | -4.2% |
| Vermont | $139 | $700 | 31 | 247 | -4.6% |
| Maine | $139 | $424 | 45 | 436 | -4.6% |
| Wisconsin | $139 | $956 | 214 | 2,406 | -4.7% |
| Puerto Rico | $139 | $166 | 17 | 71 | -4.7% |
| Arizona | $139 | $445 | 158 | 2,894 | -4.8% |
| Kansas | $138 | $537 | 103 | 1,733 | -5.2% |
| Michigan | $138 | $588 | 287 | 2,904 | -5.2% |
| Utah | $138 | $475 | 78 | 906 | -5.4% |
| Indiana | $138 | $545 | 150 | 2,423 | -5.8% |
| North Carolina | $137 | $439 | 238 | 3,433 | -5.9% |
| Nevada | $137 | $578 | 44 | 539 | -5.9% |
| Ohio | $137 | $495 | 396 | 4,963 | -6.0% |
| Georgia | $137 | $529 | 190 | 2,824 | -6.0% |
| Arkansas | $137 | $387 | 83 | 1,476 | -6.2% |
| Nebraska | $136 | $462 | 60 | 1,058 | -6.6% |
| Louisiana | $136 | $450 | 136 | 1,718 | -6.7% |
| Tennessee | $136 | $462 | 238 | 3,729 | -6.7% |
| Alabama | $136 | $419 | 118 | 1,696 | -6.8% |
| Oklahoma | $136 | $418 | 68 | 1,448 | -7.1% |
| South Carolina | $136 | $481 | 123 | 2,574 | -7.1% |
| Kentucky | $135 | $484 | 122 | 2,049 | -7.2% |
| Mississippi | $135 | $433 | 66 | 1,191 | -7.4% |
| Idaho | $135 | $724 | 21 | 280 | -7.5% |
| West Virginia | $134 | $680 | 52 | 686 | -7.9% |
⚠️ 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