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Basic Surgical Tissue Pathology Exam

North Carolina 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?

$33.11

Typical negotiated rate. In North Carolina, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $33.11 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $32.36 from a physician practice, and about $36.31 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 6 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$32.36$21.88 to $53.70
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$36.31$23.99 to $56.23

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $36 · 10th to 90th $24 to $117Professionalmedian $32 · 10th to 90th $18 to $69
$20$50$100facility $36professional $32

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
$23.99
Median
$28.84
Typical High
$45.71
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$5.37
Median
$5.50
Typical High
$10.23
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$18.62
Median
$22.39
Typical High
$66.07
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$23.99
Median
$27.54
Typical High
$66.07
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$5.25
Median
$5.75
Typical High
$13.18
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$18.62
Median
$20.89
Typical High
$52.48
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$6.92
Median
$7.94
Typical High
$12.02
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$77.62
Median
$77.62
Typical High
$77.62
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$6.46
Median
$15.14
Typical High
$16.98
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$21.38
Median
$26.92
Typical High
$75.86
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$21.38
Median
$56.23
Typical High
$117.49
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$15.14
Median
$25.70
Typical High
$74.13
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$3.24
Median
$3.72
Typical High
$13.18
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$11.75
Median
$19.95
Typical High
$61.66
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$67.61
Median
$67.61
Typical High
$77.62
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$23.99
Median
$23.99
Typical High
$36.31
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$38.02
Median
$48.98
Typical High
$67.61
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$9.12
Median
$12.02
Typical High
$34.67
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$30.90
Median
$57.54
Typical High
$58.88
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$17.78
Median
$28.18
Typical High
$69.18
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$3.80
Median
$6.46
Typical High
$12.02
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$13.49
Median
$22.39
Typical High
$58.88
7 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
$11.75
Median
$12.02
Typical High
$17.38
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$4.79
Median
$4.79
Typical High
$6.92
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
51 · Multiple procedures
Typical Low
$23.44
Median
$24.55
Typical High
$38.02
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
80 · Assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$9.33
Median
$9.77
Typical High
$15.49
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
81 · Minimal assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$6.61
Median
$6.92
Typical High
$10.72
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
82 · Assistant surgeon, no resident
Typical Low
$6.61
Median
$6.92
Typical High
$10.72
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
AS · PA/NP assist
Typical Low
$6.61
Median
$6.92
Typical High
$10.72

Where North Carolina 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.

North Carolina· 41st of 51

$33.11

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.