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Standard Tissue Specimen Examination

Kentucky rates for HCPCS 88304

A pathologist examines a surgically removed tissue specimen both visually and under a microscope to reach a diagnosis, at a complexity level typically used for more routine, lower-complexity specimens. The findings are summarized in a written pathology report.

Rates data updated July 2026.

How much does Standard Tissue Specimen Examination cost?

$37.15

Typical negotiated rate. In Kentucky, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $37.15 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $37.15 from a physician practice, and about $138 from a hospital or other facility. The two figures are alternatives, not parts of one bill.

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.

Where it's billed changes the price

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$37.15$30.20 to $47.86
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$138$52.48 to $186

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $138 · 10th to 90th $33 to $195Professionalmedian $37 · 10th to 90th $29 to $69
$20$50$100$200facility $138professional $37

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). Each curve is scaled to its own total: facility and professional rates are different services, shown together to compare where they cluster. Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$50.12
Median
$169.82
Typical High
$213.80
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$8.91
Median
$13.80
Typical High
$19.05
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$21.88
Median
$36.31
Typical High
$85.11
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$30.20
Median
$37.15
Typical High
$79.43
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$8.51
Median
$9.12
Typical High
$13.80
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$20.89
Median
$24.55
Typical High
$53.70
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$19.50
Median
$37.15
Typical High
$38.02
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$6.92
Median
$10.23
Typical High
$14.13
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$19.05
Median
$19.05
Typical High
$19.05
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$29.51
Median
$36.31
Typical High
$56.23
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$13.80
Median
$17.78
Typical High
$19.95
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$10.00
Median
$19.50
Typical High
$34.67
CareSource
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$13.80
Median
$38.02
Typical High
$52.48
CareSource
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$12.30
Median
$29.51
Typical High
$50.12
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$95.50
Median
$95.50
Typical High
$95.50
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$2.63
Median
$12.30
Typical High
$17.38
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$11.75
Median
$54.95
Typical High
$77.62
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$19.50
Median
$53.70
Typical High
$199.53
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$5.25
Median
$14.13
Typical High
$74.13
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$14.13
Median
$36.31
Typical High
$162.18
Molina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$32.36
Median
$32.36
Typical High
$33.11
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$13.18
Median
$19.95
Typical High
$33.11
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$37.15
Median
$52.48
Typical High
$89.13
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$8.32
Median
$11.75
Typical High
$26.92
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$26.30
Median
$40.74
Typical High
$66.07

Where Kentucky sits

The same service costs 3.8 times more in West Virginia than in Alabama. 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.

Kentucky· 48th of 51

$37.15

WV $132AL $34.67

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.