Price Checker / CPT 88189
How much does Flowcytometry/read 16 & > cost?
CPT 88189 · Based on 2026 Medicare rates and hospital-published pricing
The average hospital charge is around 62x the fair price — among the most extreme markups. Dispute this.
Fair price
$120–$240
What this should cost
With insurance
~$163,500
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$300
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $11,159 is $10,979 over the fair price (about 62x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for Flowcytometry/read 16 & >
From hospital-published transparency (MRF) files. These are the hospitals in our database that list this procedure.
| Hospital | Gross Charge | Cash Rate | vs Medicare |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Muir Health Behavioral Health Center , CA | $34,636 | $15,586 | 43654% |
| John Muir Health Concord Medical Center , CA | $34,636 | $15,586 | 43654% |
| Tallahatchie General Hospital , MS | $2,787 | $2,230 | 3421% |
| Arizona Spine & Joint Hospital Mesa, AZ | $1,984 | — | 2406% |
| UPMC Bedford , PA | $1,898 | $1,518 | 2298% |
| Memorial Hospital and Manor BAINBRIDGE, GA | $1,662 | $1,163 | 2000% |
| Baxter Health Fulton County Hospital SALEM, AR | $512 | $358 | 546% |
Were you billed for this procedure?
Send us your bill and we'll compare every line item against Medicare rates and your hospital's published prices. Free review, no obligation.
About Flowcytometry/read 16 & >
CPT code 88189 refers to flowcytometry/read 16 & > (billing description: "Flowcytometry/read 16 & >"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $79 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $79 in a doctor's office.
The Medicare rate is the closest thing to an objective "what this work is actually worth." A fair cash price for the uninsured is generally 1.5–3x that rate. Hospital sticker (gross) charges are often far higher — but almost nobody actually pays them.
What to do if you were overcharged
- 1Send us your bill — we'll identify this code and compare it against the rates shown above.
- 2Get a dispute letter — citing the Medicare rate and your hospital's own published pricing data.
- 3We negotiate for you — 25% of savings, no savings = no fee.