CPT code 31505: Laryngoscopy, indirect, diagnostic2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Tennessee
Report an indirect diagnostic laryngoscopy for mirror-based examination of the larynx, such as evaluation of persistent hoarseness or suspected vocal-fold abnormality.
In Tennessee, Medicare pays $81.38 for 31505 in the office and $41.61 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 31505 nationwide
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
On this page 11 sections
What 31505 covers
CPT 31505 covers an indirect diagnostic examination of the larynx, typically using a laryngeal mirror to view the vocal folds and surrounding structures. An otolaryngologist commonly performs the exam in an office or clinic when evaluating persistent hoarseness, voice change, throat symptoms, or a suspected laryngeal abnormality. It describes examination only, not biopsy, lesion removal, or another therapeutic procedure.
Report the code when the indirect examination is a distinct service, rather than an integral part of a more extensive laryngeal procedure. Document the indication, examination method, structures viewed, and findings. CMS assigns a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. When multiple procedures occur in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. Assistant-at-surgery payment is statutorily restricted; 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 Tennessee compares for 31505
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 31505 runs from $78.01 in Arkansas to $118.97 in San Benito County, CA. Tennessee pays $81.38. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Tennessee · this page$81.38
- Los Angeles, CA · California$100.70+$19.32
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$101.67+$20.29
- Miami, FL · Florida$94.81+$13.43
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$92.01+$10.63
- Manhattan, NY · New York$101.91+$20.53
- Alaska · Alaska$101.64+$20.26
Other areas in Tennessee first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $79.19 | $40.90 |
| ArkansasArkansas | $78.01 | $40.42 |
| ArizonaArizona | $86.12 | $43.72 |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $94.35 | $46.40 |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $94.14 | $46.19 |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $94.16 | $46.20 |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $94.14 | $46.19 |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $94.14 | $46.19 |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $94.14 | $46.19 |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $94.14 | $46.19 |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $94.14 | $46.19 |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $109.74 | $52.07 |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $100.28 | $48.56 |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $94.14 | $46.19 |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $94.14 | $46.19 |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $94.90 | $46.95 |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $98.97 | $48.08 |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $98.61 | $47.89 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $101.06 | $48.73 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $116.37 | $54.68 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $116.29 | $54.60 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $118.97 | $55.88 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $118.65 | $55.55 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $97.00 | $47.16 |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $102.13 | $48.97 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $99.01 | $47.99 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $103.17 | $49.44 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $94.14 | $46.19 |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $109.63 | $51.96 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $94.14 | $46.19 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $94.14 | $46.19 |
| ColoradoColorado | $92.49 | $45.94 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $94.52 | $47.39 |
| DelawareDelaware | $87.58 | $44.35 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $91.27 | $46.94 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $86.76 | $44.93 |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $90.10 | $45.65 |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $81.78 | $42.75 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $96.63 | $46.88 |
| IowaIowa | $81.45 | $41.42 |
| IdahoIdaho | $81.96 | $41.71 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $85.57 | $45.31 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $84.05 | $44.10 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $92.25 | $47.31 |
| IndianaIndiana | $82.46 | $41.90 |
| KansasKansas | $80.97 | $41.42 |
| KentuckyKentucky | $80.94 | $42.04 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $84.91 | $43.74 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $80.77 | $42.05 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $101.96 | $49.71 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $91.88 | $45.80 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $94.23 | $47.28 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $89.32 | $45.04 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $82.31 | $42.06 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $87.05 | $43.69 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $87.79 | $45.57 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $83.03 | $43.08 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $88.79 | $43.77 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $84.40 | $43.32 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $85.33 | $43.67 |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $79.28 | $41.56 |
| MississippiMississippi | $78.66 | $40.99 |
| MontanaMontana | $88.51 | $44.75 |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $83.22 | $42.39 |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $87.12 | $43.37 |
| NebraskaNebraska | $81.94 | $41.55 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $90.95 | $45.40 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $100.55 | $49.79 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $95.64 | $47.86 |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $83.47 | $43.34 |
| NevadaNevada | $88.19 | $44.39 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $104.34 | $52.31 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $96.20 | $48.29 |
| Queens, NYNew York | $102.90 | $51.19 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $84.49 | $42.93 |
| OhioOhio | $82.75 | $42.80 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $80.88 | $41.81 |
| Portland, OROregon | $95.61 | $47.00 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $87.55 | $43.97 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $92.04 | $46.49 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $82.93 | $42.77 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $89.21 | $44.97 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $90.83 | $45.63 |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $83.11 | $42.68 |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $86.96 | $43.20 |
| Austin, TXTexas | $92.14 | $45.85 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $82.36 | $42.55 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $87.56 | $44.20 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $88.09 | $44.51 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $87.46 | $44.31 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $87.80 | $44.35 |
| Houston, TXTexas | $89.08 | $45.63 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $84.90 | $43.37 |
| UtahUtah | $84.29 | $43.16 |
| VirginiaVirginia | $86.70 | $43.68 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $89.21 | $44.97 |
| VermontVermont | $86.69 | $43.38 |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $91.73 | $45.66 |
| King County, WAWashington | $104.16 | $50.47 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $84.10 | $42.19 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $80.81 | $42.79 |
| WyomingWyoming | $87.90 | $44.15 |
31505 rates by state
Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.
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.
$78.01
$106.56
Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.
View every state and territory as a table
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $101.64 | 1 |
| AL | $79.19 | 1 |
| AR | $78.01 | 1 |
| AZ | $86.12 | 1 |
| CA | $94.14–$118.97 | 29 |
| CO | $92.49 | 1 |
| CT | $94.52 | 1 |
| DC | $101.67 | 1 |
| DE | $87.58 | 1 |
| FL | $86.76–$94.81 | 3 |
| GA | $81.78–$90.10 | 2 |
| GU | $96.63 | 1 |
| HI | $96.63 | 1 |
| IA | $81.45 | 1 |
| ID | $81.96 | 1 |
| IL | $84.05–$92.25 | 4 |
| IN | $82.46 | 1 |
| KS | $80.97 | 1 |
| KY | $80.94 | 1 |
| LA | $80.77–$84.91 | 2 |
| MA | $91.88–$101.96 | 2 |
| MD | $89.32–$101.67 | 3 |
| ME | $82.31–$87.05 | 2 |
| MI | $83.03–$87.79 | 2 |
| MN | $88.79 | 1 |
| MO | $79.28–$85.33 | 3 |
| MS | $78.66 | 1 |
| MT | $88.51 | 1 |
| NC | $83.22 | 1 |
| ND | $87.12 | 1 |
| NE | $81.94 | 1 |
| NH | $90.95 | 1 |
| NJ | $95.64–$100.55 | 2 |
| NM | $83.47 | 1 |
| NV | $88.19 | 1 |
| NY | $84.49–$104.34 | 5 |
| OH | $82.75 | 1 |
| OK | $80.88 | 1 |
| OR | $87.55–$95.61 | 2 |
| PA | $82.93–$92.04 | 2 |
| PR | $89.21 | 1 |
| RI | $90.83 | 1 |
| SC | $83.11 | 1 |
| SD | $86.96 | 1 |
| TN | $81.38 | 1 |
| TX | $82.36–$92.14 | 8 |
| UT | $84.29 | 1 |
| VA | $86.70–$101.67 | 2 |
| VI | $89.21 | 1 |
| VT | $86.69 | 1 |
| WA | $91.73–$104.16 | 2 |
| WI | $84.10 | 1 |
| WV | $80.81 | 1 |
| WY | $87.90 | 1 |
How the 31505 rate is calculated
Each of 31505’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 · 31505
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.59
0.59 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense1.99
1.99 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.07
0.07 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
2.6500
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$88.51
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact Tennessee inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
3,575
- Code
- 31505
- Physician work
- 0.59
- Practice expense
- 1.99
- Malpractice
- 0.07
GPCI2026.csv
95
- Locality
- Tennessee
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.909
- Malpractice
- 0.537
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.59 | × 1.000 | 0.5900 |
| Practice expense | 1.99 | × 0.909 | 1.8089 |
| Malpractice | 0.07 | × 0.537 | 0.0376 |
| Total RVUs | 2.4365 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Tennessee$81.38
Office: (0.59 × 1 + 1.99 × 0.909 + 0.07 × 0.537) × $33.4009 = $81.38
Facility: (0.59 × 1 + 0.68 × 0.909 + 0.07 × 0.537) × $33.4009 = $41.61
Payment rules and modifiers for 31505
The CMS indicators that decide how 31505 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 31505
Laryngoscopy, indirect, diagnostic
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 000 | Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is included. |
| Multiple procedures | 2 | Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 1 | Not paid (statutory restriction). |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 0 | Physician service: no professional/technical split. |
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 51 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
31505 without 51 · national office
$88.51
Laryngoscopy, indirect, diagnostic
31505-51 · Second procedure: 50%
$44.26
When this isn’t the highest-valued procedure in the session, Medicare pays 50% of its fee schedule amount (the highest is paid at 100%).
How 31505 has changed in Tennessee
31505 · Office / nonfacility
$81.38
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $3.61 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $77.77 to $81.38 (4.6%).
It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.
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
January 1, 2026
RVU26A
$77.77changed to$81.38
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 0.61 changed to 0.59
- Practice expense RVU 1.96 changed to 1.99
- Practice expense GPCI 0.896 changed to 0.909
- Malpractice GPCI 0.544 changed to 0.537
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$81.70changed to$77.77
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 2.01 changed to 1.96
- Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.07
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$80.37changed to$81.70
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$83.88changed to$80.37
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 2.04 changed to 2.01
- Practice expense GPCI 0.894 changed to 0.896
- Malpractice GPCI 0.518 changed to 0.544
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$85.31changed to$83.88
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 2.03 changed to 2.04
- Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.08
- Practice expense GPCI 0.892 changed to 0.894
- Malpractice GPCI 0.492 changed to 0.518
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$84.46changed to$85.31
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 1.98 changed to 2.03
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$81.29changed to$84.46
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 1.78 changed to 1.98
- Practice expense GPCI 0.897 changed to 0.892
- Malpractice GPCI 0.509 changed to 0.492
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$79.03changed to$81.29
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 1.71 changed to 1.78
- Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.09
- Practice expense GPCI 0.901 changed to 0.897
- Malpractice GPCI 0.526 changed to 0.509
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$76.67changed to$79.03
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 1.64 changed to 1.71
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
April 1, 2018
RVU18B
No ratechanged to$76.67
Held through RVU18C, RVU18D.
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, RVU18AR1.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $81.38 | $41.61 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $81.38 | $41.61 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $81.38 | $41.61 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $81.38 | $41.61 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $77.77 | $44.73 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $77.77 | $44.73 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $77.77 | $44.73 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $77.77 | $44.73 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $81.70 | $45.61 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $81.70 | $45.61 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $81.70 | $45.61 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $81.70 | $45.61 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $80.37 | $44.87 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $83.88 | $45.71 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $83.88 | $45.71 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $83.88 | $45.71 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $83.88 | $45.71 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $85.31 | $45.49 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $85.31 | $45.49 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $85.31 | $45.49 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $85.31 | $45.49 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $84.46 | $44.93 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $84.46 | $44.93 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $84.46 | $44.93 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $84.46 | $44.93 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $81.29 | $46.00 | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $81.29 | $46.00 | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $81.29 | $46.00 | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $81.29 | $46.00 | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $79.03 | $46.23 | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $79.03 | $46.23 | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $79.03 | $46.23 | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $79.03 | $46.23 | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $76.67 | $46.18 | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $76.67 | $46.18 | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $76.67 | $46.18 | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13AR |
Where the Tennessee rate applies
Tennessee is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 504 cities and communities in Tennessee. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Adams
- Adamsville
- Alamo
- Alcoa
- Alexandria
- Algood
- Allardt
- Altamont
31505 billing questions
When should 31505 be chosen over 31525?
Use 31505 for an indirect examination, typically with a laryngeal mirror. Use 31525 when the diagnostic examination is performed by direct laryngoscopy.
Can 31505 be reported with a biopsy code?
When a biopsy is performed as part of the laryngoscopy, select the procedure code describing that service, such as 31510 for indirect laryngoscopy with biopsy. Do not separately report 31505 for an examination integral to the biopsy procedure.
How does 31505 differ from flexible laryngoscopy?
31505 describes indirect mirror examination. Use 31575 for diagnostic laryngoscopy performed with a flexible fiberoptic scope.
Does 31505 have a global period?
It has a 0-day global period. Same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included.
Should modifier 50 be appended for both sides?
No. CMS indicates that bilateral adjustment does not apply and modifier 50 is inappropriate for this code.
How are multiple procedures in the same session paid?
CMS pays the highest-valued procedure in full and applies the standard multiple-procedure reduction to the other procedures in that session.
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
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