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

Endoscopic surgical treatment of nasal bleeding, reported when the provider uses a nasal endoscope to locate and control a hemorrhage.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality21.5K Medicare services in 2024

In Connecticut, Medicare pays $276.88 for 31238 in the office and $152.05 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$276.88Office (non-facility)
$152.05Hospital or facility
+6.4%vs the national office rate ($260.19)

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.

We’ll open 31238 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Connecticut
  2. What 31238 covers
  3. Compared with other areas
  4. Rate map
  5. How it’s calculated
  6. Payment rules
  7. Related codes
  8. Rate history
  9. Where it applies
  10. Billing questions
  11. Sources

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 Connecticut 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. Connecticut pays $276.88. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

31238 in Connecticut vs other payment areas
  1. Connecticut · this page$276.88
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$288.38+$11.50
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$294.60+$17.72
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$286.59+$9.71
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$278.48+$1.60
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$299.13+$22.25
  7. Alaska · Alaska$309.20+$32.32

Other areas in Connecticut first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

31238 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$234.79$133.38
ArkansasArkansas$231.60$132.04
ArizonaArizona$253.42$141.11
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$271.96$144.93
Chico, CACalifornia$270.83$143.80
El Centro, CACalifornia$270.90$143.87
Fresno, CACalifornia$270.83$143.80
Hanford, CACalifornia$270.83$143.80

31238 rates by state

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

MEWIVTNHMTNDMNMINYMARIWAIDWYSDIAILINOHPANJCTORNVUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDECAAZNMKSOKARTNNCSCDCTXLAMSALGAFLAKHI

Explore a state

Local rates. Clear comparisons.

Hover or focus a tile to see its rate range. Select it to open the state’s fee schedule.

$231.60

$309.20

Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.

View every state and territory as a table
31238 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$309.201
AL$234.791
AR$231.601
AZ$253.421
CA$270.83–$333.7929
CO$268.521
CT$276.881
DC$294.601
DE$257.431
FL$259.79–$286.593
GA$245.63–$265.612
GU$276.351
HI$276.351
IA$238.911
ID$240.691
IL$253.78–$278.484
IN$241.961
KS$238.571
KY$241.551
LA$241.48–$252.642
MA$267.35–$293.072
MD$261.91–$294.603
ME$242.63–$253.962
MI$248.13–$263.602
MN$255.601
MO$238.05–$252.643
MS$234.831
MT$260.171
NC$244.911
ND$252.461
NE$239.931
NH$265.041
NJ$279.56–$291.972
NM$249.701
NV$258.181
NY$248.42–$306.925
OH$246.551
OK$240.381
OR$255.69–$275.822
PA$246.52–$270.792
PR$261.741
RI$265.691
SC$246.231
SD$251.541
TN$239.791
TX$245.05–$268.058
UT$249.391
VA$253.68–$294.602
VI$261.741
VT$252.181
WA$266.61–$298.132
WI$244.541
WV$245.111
WY$256.811

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.

How the rate is built · 31238

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work2.67

2.67 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense4.73

4.73 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.39

0.39 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

7.7900

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$260.19

Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.

The exact Connecticut inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

3,528

Code
31238
Physician work
2.67
Practice expense
4.73
Malpractice
0.39

GPCI2026.csv

38

Locality
Connecticut
Physician work
1.020
Practice expense
1.077
Malpractice
1.210
Office calculation for 31238 in Connecticut
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work2.67× 1.0202.7234
Practice expense4.73× 1.0775.0942
Malpractice0.39× 1.2100.4719
Total RVUs8.2895
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Connecticut$276.88

Office: (2.67 × 1.02 + 4.73 × 1.077 + 0.39 × 1.21) × $33.4009 = $276.88

Facility: (2.67 × 1.02 + 1.26 × 1.077 + 0.39 × 1.21) × $33.4009 = $152.05

Open 31238 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 31238

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

CMS payment indicators · 31238

Nasal endoscopy, hemorrhage control

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period000Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is included.
Multiple procedures3Endoscopy family rules apply.
Bilateral (modifier 50)1Bilateral with modifier 50 pays 150% of the fee schedule amount.
Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS)0Not paid without supporting documentation.
Co-surgeons (62)0Not permitted.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical0Physician service: no professional/technical split.

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 50 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

31238 without 50 · national office

$260.19

Nasal endoscopy, hemorrhage control

31238-50 · Bilateral: 150%

$390.29

Both sides on one line with modifier 50 are paid at 150% of the fee schedule amount (subject to multiple-procedure rules with other procedures).

When to use modifier 50

Codes related to 31238

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

Codes related to 31238
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Connecticut
Used instead
31231Nasal endoscopy, diagnostic, without sinusoscopyDiagnostic nasal endoscopy when no surgical hemorrhage control is performed.$206.96
31241Artery ligation, endoscopic epistaxis controlUse for endoscopic ligation of the sphenopalatine artery when that specific operation is performed.No office rate
30903Nosebleed control, complex anterior treatmentNonendoscopic control of complex anterior nasal bleeding.$284.73
30905Nosebleed control, posterior, initial treatmentNonendoscopic control of posterior nasal bleeding.$423.99

How 31238 has changed in Connecticut

31238 · Office / nonfacility

$276.88

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $8.74 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $268.14 to $276.88 (3.3%).

It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.

Base rate by release · bars start at $0 · select a bar to compare

One bar per available release, ordered by effective date. Missing rates remain gaps. These comparisons hold the code, setting and locality identifiers constant; they do not isolate which policy or input caused a change.

What changed, release by release

  1. January 1, 2026

    RVU26A

    $268.14changed to$276.88

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 2.74 changed to 2.67
    • Practice expense RVU 4.60 changed to 4.73
    • Work GPCI 1.022 changed to 1.020
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.091 changed to 1.077
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.207 changed to 1.210

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $268.72changed to$268.14

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 4.39 changed to 4.60
    • Malpractice RVU 0.40 changed to 0.39

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $264.33changed to$268.72

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $274.10changed to$264.33

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 4.41 changed to 4.39
    • Malpractice RVU 0.38 changed to 0.40
    • Work GPCI 1.030 changed to 1.022
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.102 changed to 1.091
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.070 changed to 1.207

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $277.48changed to$274.10

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 4.32 changed to 4.41
    • Malpractice RVU 0.39 changed to 0.38
    • Work GPCI 1.037 changed to 1.030
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.114 changed to 1.102
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.934 changed to 1.070

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $276.73changed to$277.48

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 4.25 changed to 4.32
    • Malpractice RVU 0.38 changed to 0.39

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $277.03changed to$276.73

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 3.99 changed to 4.25
    • Work GPCI 1.029 changed to 1.037
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.113 changed to 1.114
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.094 changed to 0.934

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $280.37changed to$277.03

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 4.04 changed to 3.99
    • Malpractice RVU 0.39 changed to 0.38
    • Work GPCI 1.021 changed to 1.029
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.112 changed to 1.113
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.255 changed to 1.094

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $289.61changed to$280.37

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 4.29 changed to 4.04
    • Malpractice RVU 0.38 changed to 0.39

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $285.57changed to$289.61

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 4.18 changed to 4.29
    • Malpractice RVU 0.39 changed to 0.38
    • Work GPCI 1.023 changed to 1.021
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.117 changed to 1.112
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.244 changed to 1.255

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $289.04changed to$285.57

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 4.27 changed to 4.18
    • Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.023
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.121 changed to 1.117
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.232 changed to 1.244

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $288.52changed to$289.04

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 4.22 changed to 4.27
    • Malpractice RVU 0.40 changed to 0.39

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $287.08changed to$288.52

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $285.01changed to$287.08

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 4.25 changed to 4.22
    • Malpractice RVU 0.33 changed to 0.40
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.116 changed to 1.121
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.234 changed to 1.232

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $373.64changed to$285.01

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Work RVU 3.26 changed to 2.74
    • Practice expense RVU 6.43 changed to 4.25
    • Malpractice RVU 0.41 changed to 0.33
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.110 changed to 1.116
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.235 changed to 1.234

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $373.64

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$276.88$152.05RVU26D
2026-07-01$276.88$152.05RVU26C
2026-04-01$276.88$152.05RVU26B
2026-01-01$276.88$152.05RVU26A
2025-10-01$268.14$172.86RVU25D
2025-07-01$268.14$172.86RVU25C
2025-04-01$268.14$172.86RVU25B
2025-01-01$268.14$172.86RVU25A
2024-10-01$268.72$177.20RVU24D
2024-07-01$268.72$177.20RVU24C
2024-04-01$268.72$177.20RVU24B
2024-03-09$268.72$177.20RVU24AR
2024-01-01$264.33$174.31RVU24A
2023-10-01$274.10$178.50RVU23D
2023-07-01$274.10$178.50RVU23C
2023-04-01$274.10$178.50RVU23B
2023-01-01$274.10$178.50RVU23A
2022-10-01$277.48$179.17RVU22D
2022-07-01$277.48$179.17RVU22C
2022-04-01$277.48$179.17RVU22B
2022-01-01$277.48$179.17RVU22A
2021-10-01$276.73$178.00RVU21D
2021-07-01$276.73$178.00RVU21C
2021-04-01$276.73$178.00RVU21B
2021-01-01$276.73$178.00RVU21A
2020-10-01$277.03$183.03RVU20D
2020-07-01$277.03$183.03RVU20C
2020-04-01$277.03$183.03RVU20B
2020-01-01$277.03$183.03RVU20A
2019-10-01$280.37$185.39RVU19D
2019-07-01$280.37$185.39RVU19C
2019-04-01$280.37$185.39RVU19B
2019-01-01$280.37$185.39RVU19A
2018-10-01$289.61$183.93RVU18D
2018-07-01$289.61$183.93RVU18C
2018-04-01$289.61$183.93RVU18B
2018-01-01$289.61$183.93RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$285.57$186.16RVU17D
2017-07-01$285.57$186.16RVU17C
2017-04-01$285.57$186.16RVU17B
2017-01-01$285.57$186.16RVU17A
2016-10-01$289.04$187.90RVU16D
2016-07-01$289.04$187.90RVU16C
2016-04-01$289.04$187.90RVU16B
2016-01-01$289.04$187.90RVU16A
2015-10-01$288.52$188.22RVU15D
2015-07-01$288.52$188.22RVU15C
2015-04-01$287.08$187.28RVU15B
2015-01-01$287.08$187.28RVU15A
2014-10-01$285.01$186.66RVU14D
2014-07-01$285.01$186.66RVU14C
2014-04-01$285.01$186.66RVU14B
2014-01-01$285.01$186.66RVU14A
2013-10-01$373.64$212.38RVU13D
2013-07-01$373.64$212.38RVU13C
2013-04-01$373.64$212.38RVU13B
2013-01-01$373.64$212.38RVU13AR

Price 31238 for an earlier date of service

Where the Connecticut rate applies

Connecticut is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 215 cities and communities in Connecticut. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Ansonia
  • Ball Pond
  • Baltic
  • Bantam
  • Bethel
  • Bethlehem Village
  • Bigelow Corners
  • Blue Hills

Browse all communities in Connecticut

31238 billing questions

When should 31238 be chosen instead of a diagnostic nasal endoscopy?

Use 31238 when the endoscopic service includes surgical control of nasal bleeding. A diagnostic examination without operative hemorrhage control is described by 31231.

How does 31238 differ from nasal packing or cautery codes?

31238 describes surgical hemorrhage control performed endoscopically. Codes such as 30903 or 30905 describe nonendoscopic control in the applicable anterior or posterior bleeding situation.

When is modifier 50 appropriate?

Use modifier 50 when the procedure is performed bilaterally. CMS pays the bilateral procedure at 150%.

Can 31231 be reported separately for the operative examination?

A diagnostic look that is part of the endoscopic surgical control is not a separate diagnostic service. Report 31231 only when a distinct diagnostic examination is performed and documented.

Can an assistant or co-surgeon be reported?

Assistant-at-surgery payment requires documentation of medical necessity. CMS does not permit co-surgeons or team surgery for this code.

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

Show the CMS file lines behind this rate
RVUs for 31238PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 3,528 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for ConnecticutGPCI2026.csv, line 38 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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