CPT code 31298: Sinus dilation, frontal and sphenoid2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Endoscopic dilation of frontal and sphenoid sinus openings is reported when both drainage pathways are treated during the same operative session.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality9.3K Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $3,474.03 for 31298 in the office and $234.65 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$3,474.03Office (non-facility)
$234.65Hospital or facility
+17.1%vs the national office rate ($2,965.67)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 31298 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 31298 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 31298 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 31298 covers

An otolaryngologist uses a nasal endoscope to access and enlarge the frontal and sphenoid sinus openings, commonly with a balloon catheter passed through the nasal cavity. The procedure may be performed for obstructed sinus drainage, including in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis, when the operative plan is dilation at both sites. It is typically performed in an operating or procedural setting; the record should identify each sinus treated and the dilation performed.

Report 31298 when both frontal and sphenoid openings are dilated during the operative session; single-sinus dilation codes distinguish treatment of only one site. Document the treated anatomy, laterality, and technique. CMS assigns a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. Related endoscopies performed together are subject to endoscopy-family pricing. For bilateral work, modifier 50 is paid at 150%. Assistant-at-surgery payment requires documented medical necessity; 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 Washington, DC area compares for 31298

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 31298 runs from $2,561.06 in Arkansas to $4,209.05 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $3,474.03. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

31298 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$3,474.03
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$3,476.81+$2.78
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$3,112.06−$361.97
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$3,007.50−$466.53
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$3,440.51−$33.52
  6. Alaska · Alaska$3,211.57−$262.46
  7. Alabama · Alabama$2,606.89−$867.14

Other areas in District of Columbia first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

31298 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$2,561.06$198.90
ArizonaArizona$2,875.94$211.29
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$3,228.99$215.11
Chico, CACalifornia$3,227.19$213.30
El Centro, CACalifornia$3,227.29$213.41
Fresno, CACalifornia$3,227.19$213.30
Hanford, CACalifornia$3,227.19$213.30
Madera, CACalifornia$3,227.19$213.30

31298 rates by state

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

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Local rates. Clear comparisons.

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

$2,561.06

$3,718.12

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

View every state and territory as a table
31298 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$3,211.571
AL$2,606.891
AR$2,561.061
AZ$2,875.941
CA$3,227.19–$4,209.0529
CO$3,141.981
CT$3,188.421
DC$3,474.031
DE$2,930.731
FL$2,852.96–$3,112.063
GA$2,667.42–$3,015.042
GU$3,340.321
HI$3,340.321
IA$2,715.321
ID$2,730.891
IL$2,733.87–$3,058.234
IN$2,750.741
KS$2,686.761
KY$2,653.291
LA$2,642.99–$2,803.382
MA$3,112.12–$3,512.282
MD$2,999.01–$3,474.033
ME$2,733.97–$2,932.842
MI$2,724.88–$2,881.932
MN$3,032.241
MO$2,578.96–$2,831.393
MS$2,571.291
MT$2,965.621
NC$2,770.701
ND$2,953.371
NE$2,737.311
NH$3,077.811
NJ$3,230.99–$3,424.042
NM$2,737.571
NV$2,965.011
NY$2,819.60–$3,521.685
OH$2,722.381
OK$2,661.631
OR$2,948.32–$3,273.322
PA$2,735.06–$3,087.032
PR$2,996.141
RI$3,058.561
SC$2,749.891
SD$2,951.921
TN$2,701.431
TX$2,712.35–$3,125.908
UT$2,795.651
VA$2,912.01–$3,474.032
VI$2,996.141
VT$2,927.451
WA$3,110.93–$3,604.432
WI$2,833.811
WV$2,608.011
WY$2,960.281

See 31298 in every payment locality

How the 31298 rate is calculated

Each of 31298’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 · 31298

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work4.39

4.39 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense83.78

83.78 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.62

0.62 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

88.7900

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$2,965.67

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

The exact Washington, DC area inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

3,553

Code
31298
Physician work
4.39
Practice expense
83.78
Malpractice
0.62

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 31298 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work4.39× 1.0544.6271
Practice expense83.78× 1.17898.6928
Malpractice0.62× 1.1130.6901
Total RVUs104.0100
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$3474.03

Office: (4.39 × 1.054 + 83.78 × 1.178 + 0.62 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $3474.03

Facility: (4.39 × 1.054 + 1.45 × 1.178 + 0.62 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $234.65

Open 31298 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 31298

The CMS indicators that decide how 31298 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 31298

Sinus dilation, frontal and sphenoid

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

31298 without 50 · national office

$2,965.67

Sinus dilation, frontal and sphenoid

31298-50 · Bilateral: 150%

$4,448.51

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

How 31298 has changed in Washington, DC area

31298 · Office / nonfacility

$3474.03

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $88.44 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $3385.59 to $3474.03 (2.6%).

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

    $3385.59changed to$3474.03

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 4.50 changed to 4.39
    • Practice expense RVU 83.19 changed to 83.78
    • Malpractice RVU 0.64 changed to 0.62
    • Work GPCI 1.057 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.192 changed to 1.178
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.168 changed to 1.113

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $3656.67changed to$3385.59

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 87.52 changed to 83.19
    • Malpractice RVU 0.66 changed to 0.64

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $3596.99changed to$3656.67

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $3910.00changed to$3596.99

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 90.47 changed to 87.52
    • Malpractice RVU 0.65 changed to 0.66
    • Work GPCI 1.056 changed to 1.057
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.214 changed to 1.192
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.231 changed to 1.168
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $4151.03changed to$3910.00

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 92.54 changed to 90.47
    • Malpractice RVU 0.64 changed to 0.65
    • Work GPCI 1.054 changed to 1.056
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.236 changed to 1.214
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.294 changed to 1.231

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $4501.56changed to$4151.03

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 99.88 changed to 92.54
    • Malpractice RVU 0.63 changed to 0.64

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $4472.84changed to$4501.56

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 96.99 changed to 99.88
    • Malpractice RVU 0.62 changed to 0.63
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.221 changed to 1.236
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.277 changed to 1.294

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $4605.11changed to$4472.84

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 101.47 changed to 96.99
    • Malpractice RVU 0.64 changed to 0.62
    • Work GPCI 1.045 changed to 1.049
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.221
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.261 changed to 1.277

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $4740.18changed to$4605.11

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 104.70 changed to 101.47

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    No ratechanged to$4740.18

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D, RVU14A, RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D, RVU15A, RVU15B, RVU15C, RVU15D, RVU16A, RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D, RVU17A, RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$3,474.03$234.65RVU26D
2026-07-01$3,474.03$234.65RVU26C
2026-04-01$3,474.03$234.65RVU26B
2026-01-01$3,474.03$234.65RVU26A
2025-10-01$3,385.59$274.43RVU25D
2025-07-01$3,385.59$274.43RVU25C
2025-04-01$3,385.59$274.43RVU25B
2025-01-01$3,385.59$274.43RVU25A
2024-10-01$3,656.67$282.00RVU24D
2024-07-01$3,656.67$282.00RVU24C
2024-04-01$3,656.67$282.00RVU24B
2024-03-09$3,656.67$282.00RVU24AR
2024-01-01$3,596.99$277.40RVU24A
2023-10-01$3,910.00$289.76RVU23D
2023-07-01$3,910.00$289.76RVU23C
2023-04-01$3,910.00$289.76RVU23B
2023-01-01$3,910.00$289.76RVU23A
2022-10-01$4,151.03$294.17RVU22D
2022-07-01$4,151.03$294.17RVU22C
2022-04-01$4,151.03$294.17RVU22B
2022-01-01$4,151.03$294.17RVU22A
2021-10-01$4,501.56$292.28RVU21D
2021-07-01$4,501.56$292.28RVU21C
2021-04-01$4,501.56$292.28RVU21B
2021-01-01$4,501.56$292.28RVU21A
2020-10-01$4,472.84$296.76RVU20D
2020-07-01$4,472.84$296.76RVU20C
2020-04-01$4,472.84$296.76RVU20B
2020-01-01$4,472.84$296.76RVU20A
2019-10-01$4,605.11$295.40RVU19D
2019-07-01$4,605.11$295.40RVU19C
2019-04-01$4,605.11$295.40RVU19B
2019-01-01$4,605.11$295.40RVU19A
2018-10-01$4,740.18$293.34RVU18D
2018-07-01$4,740.18$293.34RVU18C
2018-04-01$4,740.18$293.34RVU18B
2018-01-01$4,740.18$293.34RVU18AR1
2017-10-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU17D
2017-07-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU17C
2017-04-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU17B
2017-01-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU17A
2016-10-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU16D
2016-07-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU16C
2016-04-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU16B
2016-01-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU16A
2015-10-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU15D
2015-07-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU15C
2015-04-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU15B
2015-01-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU15A
2014-10-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU14D
2014-07-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU14C
2014-04-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU14B
2014-01-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU14A
2013-10-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU13D
2013-07-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU13C
2013-04-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU13B
2013-01-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU13AR

Price 31298 for an earlier date of service

Where the Washington, DC area rate applies

Washington, DC area is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 1 cities and communities in District of Columbia. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Washington

Browse all communities in District of Columbia

31298 billing questions

When should I choose 31298 over 31296 or 31297?

Use 31298 when the frontal and sphenoid sinus openings are both dilated. Codes 31296 and 31297 describe dilation at the frontal and sphenoid sites, respectively, when only one of those sites is treated.

Does 31298 include maxillary sinus dilation?

No. This code identifies dilation of the frontal and sphenoid openings. The maxillary sinus dilation code is 31295.

How should I report bilateral dilation?

CMS identifies this as a bilateral procedure; modifier 50 is paid at 150%. The operative documentation should support treatment on both sides.

How does payment work when related endoscopies are performed together?

CMS applies endoscopy-family pricing when related endoscopies are performed together. The same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included in the 0-day global period.

What documentation supports reporting 31298?

Document endoscopic dilation of both the frontal and sphenoid sinus openings, along with the treated side or sides and the technique performed. Assistant-at-surgery payment requires documentation of medical necessity.

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 31298PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 3,553 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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