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Basic Surgical Tissue Pathology Exam

Colorado rates for HCPCS 88302

A pathologist examines tissue removed during a minor surgical procedure under a microscope, at a basic level of detail typically used for straightforward, routine specimens such as a hernia sac. It confirms the tissue's identity and checks for anything unexpected.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Basic Surgical Tissue Pathology Exam cost?

$47.86

Typical negotiated rate. In Colorado, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $47.86 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $44.67 from a physician practice, and about $58.88 from a hospital or other facility.

These are rates insurers have negotiated with providers, not the amount a patient is billed. What you owe depends on your plan's deductible and coinsurance. Based on rates published by 7 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$44.67$28.84 to $67.61
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$58.88$32.36 to $75.86

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $59 · 10th to 90th $23 to $117Professionalmedian $45 · 10th to 90th $20 to $110
$20$50$100facility $59professional $45

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$25.70
Median
$47.86
Typical High
$95.50
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$20.42
Median
$46.77
Typical High
$95.50
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$21.88
Median
$30.90
Typical High
$63.10
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$4.68
Median
$5.75
Typical High
$9.33
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$16.98
Median
$22.91
Typical High
$54.95
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$56.23
Median
$66.07
Typical High
$117.49
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$34.67
Median
$67.61
Typical High
$117.49
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$6.76
Median
$13.18
Typical High
$22.91
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$27.54
Median
$53.70
Typical High
$95.50
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$15.14
Median
$29.51
Typical High
$81.28
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$15.14
Median
$22.39
Typical High
$69.18
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$2.88
Median
$3.63
Typical High
$17.38
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$11.48
Median
$18.62
Typical High
$53.70
Denver HMP
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$25.70
Median
$36.31
Typical High
$79.43
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$40.74
Median
$48.98
Typical High
$134.90
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$8.13
Median
$9.77
Typical High
$26.30
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$32.36
Median
$38.90
Typical High
$109.65
Select Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$33.88
Median
$63.10
Typical High
$70.79
Select Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$28.84
Median
$30.20
Typical High
$85.11
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$162.18
Median
$169.82
Typical High
$194.98
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$19.05
Median
$29.51
Typical High
$64.57
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$3.89
Median
$4.47
Typical High
$14.79
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$14.45
Median
$25.12
Typical High
$50.12
2 more rates with less common billing modifiers

A modifier changes what was billed, for example a reduced or repeated service. Each of these modifiers carries under 10% of the published rates for this code. Modifier combinations, and modifiers with fewer than 30 rates for a carrier, are not listed.

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$10.96
Median
$12.88
Typical High
$31.62
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$4.37
Median
$5.13
Typical High
$12.59

Where Colorado sits

The same service costs 4.4 times more in Alaska than in Arkansas. Every bar is a state, most expensive first. Touch or drag across it to read any state, then open that state for its carriers and full range.

Colorado· 18th of 51

$47.86

AK $123AR $28.18

Median negotiated rate in each state, from every insurer that publishes one. States where no insurer publishes a rate for this service are not shown.