CPT code 31238: Nasal endoscopy, hemorrhage control2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Riverside, CA

In Riverside, CA, Medicare pays $275.05 for 31238 in the office and $148.02 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 31238 nationwide

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

What 31238 covers

An otolaryngologist typically uses a nasal endoscope to find and treat a bleeding site, often when epistaxis persists despite packing or other initial measures. The surgeon may cauterize or otherwise surgically control the source. The procedure is commonly performed in an operating room or procedure setting, with anesthesia as clinically appropriate.

Report this code when the documented service is endoscopic surgical control of nasal bleeding, rather than diagnostic inspection alone or control performed without endoscopy. The record should describe the bleeding site, side, operative method, and reason for intervention. This minor procedure has a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. When related endoscopies are performed together, endoscopy-family pricing applies. Modifier 50 identifies bilateral services and is paid at 150%. An assistant is paid only when medical necessity is documented; co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.

This summary was written with AI assistance from CMS physician fee schedule data and checked against the CMS billing rules shown here. Rates on this page come directly from CMS files.

How Riverside, CA compares for 31238

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 31238 runs from $231.60 in Arkansas to $333.79 in San Benito County, CA. Riverside, CA pays $275.05. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

Every other payment area

31238 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

See 31238 in every payment locality

How the 31238 rate is calculated

Each of 31238’s three RVUs is multiplied by a geographic index (GPCI) for the payment locality, added up, and multiplied by the conversion factor. Drag the indexes or enter a ZIP to see what moves the rate.

Payment rules and modifiers for 31238

The CMS indicators that decide how 31238 is paid alongside other services.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 50

Codes related to 31238

Related codes aren’t interchangeable: bill the code that matches the service performed.

How 31238 has changed in Riverside, CA

Price 31238 for an earlier date of service

Where the Riverside, CA rate applies

Riverside, CA is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 127 cities and communities in California. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

• Ontario
• Riverside
• San Bernardino
• Adelanto
• Aguanga
• Anza
• Apple Valley
• Baker

Browse all communities in California

Where these rates come from

FeeBase calculates base physician payments from CMS work, practice-expense and malpractice RVUs, adjusted by each locality’s geographic indexes and the conversion factor. Services without a published rate are labeled, never given a made-up amount. Amounts are Medicare allowed amounts before claim adjustments: not a patient’s bill or a commercial rate.

CMS RVU26D · effective Oct 1, 2026 through the day before Jan 1, 2027

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates