go back

Standard Tissue Specimen Examination

North Carolina 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?

$52.48

Typical negotiated rate. In North Carolina, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $52.48 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $53.70 from a physician practice, and about $36.31 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$53.70$31.62 to $74.13
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$36.31$33.11 to $85.11

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $36 · 10th to 90th $16 to $105Professionalmedian $54 · 10th to 90th $31 to $112
$20$100$500$2K$10Kfacility $36professional $54

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
$16.22
Median
$34.67
Typical High
$95.50
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$7.24
Median
$8.91
Typical High
$16.98
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$16.98
Median
$25.12
Typical High
$42.66
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$31.62
Median
$54.95
Typical High
$100.00
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$7.59
Median
$10.96
Typical High
$53.70
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$22.39
Median
$42.66
Typical High
$60.26
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$21.38
Median
$43.65
Typical High
$64.57
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$5.01
Median
$12.02
Typical High
$19.95
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$34.67
Median
$34.67
Typical High
$34.67
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$9.12
Median
$20.42
Typical High
$25.12
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$28.84
Median
$33.11
Typical High
$58.88
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$19.95
Median
$33.88
Typical High
$85.11
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$5.37
Median
$7.94
Typical High
$19.05
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$14.13
Median
$24.55
Typical High
$67.61
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$89.13
Median
$89.13
Typical High
$102.33
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$20.42
Median
$20.42
Typical High
$20.89
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$31.62
Median
$53.70
Typical High
$109.65
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$36.31
Median
$36.31
Typical High
$36.31
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$23.44
Median
$39.81
Typical High
$89.13
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$6.31
Median
$11.22
Typical High
$28.18
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$16.60
Median
$28.84
Typical High
$77.62
Wellcare
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$263.03
Median
$263.03
Typical High
$263.03
Wellcare
Setting
Facility
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$100.00
Median
$100.00
Typical High
$100.00
Wellcare
Setting
Facility
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$190.55
Median
$190.55
Typical High
$190.55
Wellcare
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$363.08
Median
$371.54
Typical High
$371.54
Wellcare
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$199.53
Median
$199.53
Typical High
$199.53
Wellcare
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$269.15
Median
$275.42
Typical High
$275.42

Where North Carolina 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.

North Carolina· 24th of 51

$52.48

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.