Pathologist examination, dissection, and preparation of tissue
Medicare pricing data for 15 providers across 11 states
Prices vary significantly by location — from $9 in Virginia to $35 in Illinois. Where you get this procedure matters more than almost any other factor. This is a specialized procedure with relatively few Medicare claims. Pricing data may be less reliable due to smaller sample sizes. 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
Pathologist examination, dissection, and preparation of tissue (HCPCS code 88387) is a medical procedure billed to Medicare. The average Medicare-allowed cost is $34.74, but hospitals typically charge $99.62 — a 2.9x 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 $34.74, your out-of-pocket cost would be approximately $6.95. 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 2.9x more than what Medicare allows for this procedure. Medicare actually pays $27.24 on average.
Cost by State
Medicare-allowed amounts vary significantly by state
| State | Allowed Cost | Hospital Charge | Providers | Services | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $35 | $100 | 1 | 6,911 | +0.5% |
| Connecticut | $29 | $225 | 1 | 101 | -16.6% |
| New York | $29 | $221 | 8 | 350 | -16.9% |
| California | $29 | $57 | 1 | 32 | -17.2% |
| Massachusetts | $29 | $223 | 4 | 286 | -17.3% |
| Maryland | $28 | $33 | 4 | 11 | -18.5% |
| Texas | $26 | $134 | 3 | 22 | -24.2% |
| Georgia | $26 | $103 | 4 | 11 | -24.4% |
| Utah | $26 | $87 | 1 | 14 | -25.9% |
| Pennsylvania | $25 | $94 | 13 | 69 | -27.5% |
| Virginia | $9 | $43 | 1 | 27 | -73.2% |
⚠️ 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