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Standard Tissue Specimen Examination

Tennessee 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?

$38.90

Typical negotiated rate. In Tennessee, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $38.90 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $38.90 from a physician practice, and about $132 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 6 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$38.90$30.20 to $74.13
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$132$97.72 to $132

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $132 · 10th to 90th $56 to $263Professionalmedian $39 · 10th to 90th $28 to $95
$20$50$100$200facility $132professional $39

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. Small sample; interpret with caution. Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$97.72
Median
$97.72
Typical High
$131.83
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$28.84
Median
$38.90
Typical High
$85.11
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$8.32
Median
$12.88
Typical High
$38.90
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$20.42
Median
$23.99
Typical High
$67.61
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$18.62
Median
$19.05
Typical High
$41.69
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$4.90
Median
$5.01
Typical High
$12.30
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$13.80
Median
$13.80
Typical High
$15.14
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$19.95
Median
$44.67
Typical High
$87.10
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$5.75
Median
$12.02
Typical High
$20.42
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$13.80
Median
$32.36
Typical High
$70.79
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$28.18
Median
$30.20
Typical High
$56.23
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$5.13
Median
$5.50
Typical High
$10.00
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$22.91
Median
$24.55
Typical High
$45.71
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$18.62
Median
$30.20
Typical High
$95.50
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$5.25
Median
$8.51
Typical High
$21.88
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$13.49
Median
$19.95
Typical High
$53.70
Lucent Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$263.03
Median
$263.03
Typical High
$263.03
Lucent Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$100.00
Median
$100.00
Typical High
$100.00
Lucent Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$190.55
Median
$190.55
Typical High
$190.55
Lucent Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$363.08
Median
$363.08
Typical High
$371.54
Lucent Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$199.53
Median
$199.53
Typical High
$199.53
Lucent Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$269.15
Median
$269.15
Typical High
$275.42
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$22.91
Median
$41.69
Typical High
$93.33
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$6.46
Median
$11.48
Typical High
$51.29
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$15.85
Median
$30.20
Typical High
$74.13

Where Tennessee 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.

Tennessee· 46th of 51

$38.90

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.