CPT 88175

Across 118,808 services billed by 349 providers to 115,090 beneficiaries, Medicare allowed an average of $25.99 per service. The allowed amount is the figure that matters: it is what Medicare and the patient together owe, set by the fee schedule and adjusted for local practice costs. What a provider chose to submit has no bearing on it.

Two different numbers. Allowed is what Medicare actually allowed in that state, which includes the local practice-cost adjustment. Standardized strips that geographic adjustment out of the payment, so it is the column to use when comparing states — a difference there reflects how the code was billed, not what it costs to run a practice locally.

• 88185Flow cytometry technique for dna or cell analysis$24.39
• 88112Cell examination of specimen$38.46
• 88173Evaluation of fine needle aspirate$83.18
• 88189Flow cytometry technique for dna or cell analysis$82.33
• 88108Cell examination of specimen$28.49
• 88172Evaluation of fine needle aspirate$36.27
• 88184Flow cytometry technique for dna or cell analysis$81.32
• 88120Cell examination of urine$465.04
• 88188Flow cytometry technique for dna or cell analysis$60.36
• 88177Pap test, evaluation of fine needle aspirate, immediate, each addition$21.33
• 88141Pap test$24.26
• 88121Cell examination of urine$380.49

An allowed amount is revenue to a practice, not income to a clinician. It funds staff, premises, equipment and supplies before anyone is paid. What clinicians actually earn is published separately by the Department of Labor, and what industry pays them is published separately again by CMS — this site carries both.

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