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Electron Microscopy of a Tissue Sample

North Carolina rates for HCPCS 88348

This is a specialized examination of a tissue sample using an electron microscope, which reveals cell structures at a much finer level of detail than a standard light microscope can show. Pathologists use it for certain diagnoses — for example, some kidney diseases or unusual tumors — where the extra detail changes or confirms the diagnosis. It is reserved for cases where a routine microscopic exam does not give a clear enough answer.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Electron Microscopy of a Tissue Sample cost?

$427

Typical negotiated rate. In North Carolina, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $427 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $398 from a physician practice, and about $646 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$398$240 to $617
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$646$347 to $1,230

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $646 · 10th to 90th $347 to $1,862Professionalmedian $398 · 10th to 90th $195 to $871
$200$500$1K$2Kfacility $646professional $398

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). 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
None
Typical Low
$346.74
Median
$346.74
Typical High
$616.60
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$288.40
Median
$346.74
Typical High
$707.95
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$57.54
Median
$60.26
Typical High
$138.04
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$269.15
Median
$288.40
Typical High
$537.03
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$77.62
Median
$134.90
Typical High
$134.90
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,071.52
Median
$1,071.52
Typical High
$1,071.52
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$70.79
Median
$158.49
Typical High
$186.21
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$295.12
Median
$630.96
Typical High
$977.24
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$331.13
Median
$891.25
Typical High
$1,862.09
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$194.98
Median
$323.59
Typical High
$691.83
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$36.31
Median
$40.74
Typical High
$144.54
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$154.88
Median
$251.19
Typical High
$575.44
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$724.44
Median
$724.44
Typical High
$724.44
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$346.74
Median
$346.74
Typical High
$537.03
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$436.52
Median
$537.03
Typical High
$870.96
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$104.71
Median
$125.89
Typical High
$147.91
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$478.63
Median
$616.60
Typical High
$758.58
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$204.17
Median
$371.54
Typical High
$812.83
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$43.65
Median
$72.44
Typical High
$131.83
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$173.78
Median
$295.12
Typical High
$707.95
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
$169.82
Median
$173.78
Typical High
$213.80
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$67.61
Median
$69.18
Typical High
$85.11
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
51 · Multiple procedures
Typical Low
$229.09
Median
$269.15
Typical High
$436.52
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
80 · Assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$91.20
Median
$107.15
Typical High
$173.78
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
81 · Minimal assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$64.57
Median
$74.13
Typical High
$120.23
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
82 · Assistant surgeon, no resident
Typical Low
$64.57
Median
$74.13
Typical High
$120.23
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
AS · PA/NP assist
Typical Low
$64.57
Median
$74.13
Typical High
$120.23

Where North Carolina sits

The same service costs 11.5 times more in Alaska 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· 36th of 51

$427

AK $1,778AL $155

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.