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CPT code 31511: Laryngeal FB removal, indirect laryngoscopy2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Removal of a foreign object from the larynx under indirect laryngoscopic visualization when the clinician can reach and extract it without direct operative laryngoscopy.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality24 Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $238.88 for 31511 in the office and $127.93 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$238.88Office (non-facility)
$127.93Hospital or facility
+13.3%vs the national office rate ($210.76)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 31511 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 31511 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 31511 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 31511 covers

An otolaryngologist uses indirect laryngoscopic visualization to locate and remove a foreign object lodged in the larynx. The code fits an extraction performed through this indirect approach, rather than removal during direct operative laryngoscopy. It is a focused therapeutic service, not a diagnostic-only examination. Medicare claims for this service in 2024 were reported in facility settings.

Document the laryngeal location of the object, the indirect visualization approach, and the extraction performed. The 0-day global period includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care. When related endoscopies are performed together, CMS endoscopy family pricing applies. A bilateral adjustment is not appropriate. CMS does not pay an assistant at surgery for this service, and 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 31511

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 31511 runs from $187.53 in Arkansas to $271.44 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $238.88. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

31511 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$238.88
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$234.12−$4.76
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$231.42−$7.46
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$224.88−$14.00
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$242.24+$3.36
  6. Alaska · Alaska$249.97+$11.09
  7. Alabama · Alabama$190.13−$48.75

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

Every other payment area

31511 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$187.53$106.62
ArizonaArizona$205.28$114.01
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$220.69$117.45
Chico, CACalifornia$219.81$116.58
El Centro, CACalifornia$219.86$116.63
Fresno, CACalifornia$219.81$116.58
Hanford, CACalifornia$219.81$116.58
Madera, CACalifornia$219.81$116.58

31511 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.

$187.53

$249.97

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

View every state and territory as a table
31511 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$249.971
AL$190.131
AR$187.531
AZ$205.281
CA$219.81–$271.4429
CO$217.751
CT$224.301
DC$238.881
DE$208.541
FL$210.07–$231.423
GA$198.62–$215.072
GU$224.391
HI$224.391
IA$193.651
ID$195.061
IL$205.07–$224.884
IN$196.101
KS$193.281
KY$195.451
LA$195.36–$204.442
MA$216.76–$237.822
MD$212.21–$238.883
ME$196.55–$205.892
MI$200.72–$213.072
MN$207.481
MO$192.52–$204.533
MS$190.041
MT$210.741
NC$198.411
ND$204.811
NE$194.501
NH$214.851
NJ$226.53–$236.722
NM$201.961
NV$209.221
NY$201.27–$248.485
OH$199.511
OK$194.591
OR$207.26–$223.782
PA$199.53–$219.302
PR$212.041
RI$215.321
SC$199.361
SD$204.111
TN$194.271
TX$198.32–$217.318
UT$201.921
VA$205.60–$238.882
VI$212.041
VT$204.511
WA$216.18–$242.022
WI$198.351
WV$198.011
WY$208.151

See 31511 in every payment locality

How the 31511 rate is calculated

Each of 31511’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 · 31511

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work2.11

2.11 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense3.90

3.90 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.30

0.30 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

6.3100

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$210.76

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

3,578

Code
31511
Physician work
2.11
Practice expense
3.90
Malpractice
0.30

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 31511 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work2.11× 1.0542.2239
Practice expense3.90× 1.1784.5942
Malpractice0.30× 1.1130.3339
Total RVUs7.1520
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$238.88

Office: (2.11 × 1.054 + 3.9 × 1.178 + 0.3 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $238.88

Facility: (2.11 × 1.054 + 1.08 × 1.178 + 0.3 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $127.93

Open 31511 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 31511

The CMS indicators that decide how 31511 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 31511

Laryngeal FB removal, indirect laryngoscopy

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)0The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply.
Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS)1Not paid (statutory restriction).
Co-surgeons (62)0Not permitted.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical0Physician service: no professional/technical split.

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 51 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

31511 without 51 · national office

$210.76

Laryngeal FB removal, indirect laryngoscopy

31511-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$105.38

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%).

When to use modifier 51

Codes related to 31511

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

Codes related to 31511
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Used instead
31530Laryngoscopy, foreign body removalForeign body removal using direct laryngoscopy rather than the indirect approach.No office rate
31531Foreign body removal, with operating scopeDirect laryngoscopic foreign body removal with an operating microscope.No office rate
31505Laryngoscopy, indirect, diagnosticIndirect laryngoscopy for diagnostic examination when no foreign body is removed.$101.67
Same family
31512Laryngeal lesion removal, indirect laryngoscopyIndirect laryngoscopic removal of a lesion rather than a foreign object.$246.36

How 31511 has changed in Washington, DC area

31511 · Office / nonfacility

$238.88

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $6.79 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $232.09 to $238.88 (2.9%).

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

    $232.09changed to$238.88

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 2.16 changed to 2.11
    • Practice expense RVU 3.81 changed to 3.90
    • 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

    $242.00changed to$232.09

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 3.87 changed to 3.81
    • Malpractice RVU 0.32 changed to 0.30

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $238.05changed to$242.00

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $249.43changed to$238.05

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 3.88 changed to 3.87
    • Malpractice RVU 0.30 changed to 0.32
    • 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

    $258.24changed to$249.43

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 3.85 changed to 3.88
    • Malpractice RVU 0.33 changed to 0.30
    • 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

    $257.34changed to$258.24

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 3.79 changed to 3.85
    • Malpractice RVU 0.32 changed to 0.33

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $253.39changed to$257.34

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 3.56 changed to 3.79
    • 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

    $249.19changed to$253.39

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 3.53 changed to 3.56
    • 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

    $246.71changed to$249.19

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 3.50 changed to 3.53
    • Malpractice RVU 0.30 changed to 0.32

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $248.90changed to$246.71

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 3.55 changed to 3.50
    • Malpractice RVU 0.31 changed to 0.30
    • Work GPCI 1.048 changed to 1.045
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.271 changed to 1.261

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $250.83changed to$248.90

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 3.59 changed to 3.55
    • Malpractice RVU 0.32 changed to 0.31
    • Work GPCI 1.051 changed to 1.048
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.280 changed to 1.271

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $250.47changed to$250.83

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 3.55 changed to 3.59
    • Malpractice RVU 0.33 changed to 0.32

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $249.22changed to$250.47

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $246.19changed to$249.22

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 3.53 changed to 3.55
    • Malpractice RVU 0.30 changed to 0.33
    • Work GPCI 1.050 changed to 1.051
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.202 changed to 1.205
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.280

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $255.31changed to$246.19

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 4.08 changed to 3.53
    • Malpractice RVU 0.31 changed to 0.30
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.050
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.198 changed to 1.202
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.130 changed to 1.205

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $255.31

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$238.88$127.93RVU26D
2026-07-01$238.88$127.93RVU26C
2026-04-01$238.88$127.93RVU26B
2026-01-01$238.88$127.93RVU26A
2025-10-01$232.09$145.72RVU25D
2025-07-01$232.09$145.72RVU25C
2025-04-01$232.09$145.72RVU25B
2025-01-01$232.09$145.72RVU25A
2024-10-01$242.00$149.94RVU24D
2024-07-01$242.00$149.94RVU24C
2024-04-01$242.00$149.94RVU24B
2024-03-09$242.00$149.94RVU24AR
2024-01-01$238.05$147.50RVU24A
2023-10-01$249.43$152.75RVU23D
2023-07-01$249.43$152.75RVU23C
2023-04-01$249.43$152.75RVU23B
2023-01-01$249.43$152.75RVU23A
2022-10-01$258.24$153.02RVU22D
2022-07-01$258.24$153.02RVU22C
2022-04-01$258.24$153.02RVU22B
2022-01-01$258.24$153.02RVU22A
2021-10-01$257.34$152.54RVU21D
2021-07-01$257.34$152.54RVU21C
2021-04-01$257.34$152.54RVU21B
2021-01-01$257.34$152.54RVU21A
2020-10-01$253.39$154.25RVU20D
2020-07-01$253.39$154.25RVU20C
2020-04-01$253.39$154.25RVU20B
2020-01-01$253.39$154.25RVU20A
2019-10-01$249.19$152.35RVU19D
2019-07-01$249.19$152.35RVU19C
2019-04-01$249.19$152.35RVU19B
2019-01-01$249.19$152.35RVU19A
2018-10-01$246.71$149.97RVU18D
2018-07-01$246.71$149.97RVU18C
2018-04-01$246.71$149.97RVU18B
2018-01-01$246.71$149.97RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$248.90$149.87RVU17D
2017-07-01$248.90$149.87RVU17C
2017-04-01$248.90$149.87RVU17B
2017-01-01$248.90$149.87RVU17A
2016-10-01$250.83$151.17RVU16D
2016-07-01$250.83$151.17RVU16C
2016-04-01$250.83$151.17RVU16B
2016-01-01$250.83$151.17RVU16A
2015-10-01$250.47$150.88RVU15D
2015-07-01$250.47$150.88RVU15C
2015-04-01$249.22$150.13RVU15B
2015-01-01$249.22$150.13RVU15A
2014-10-01$246.19$149.74RVU14D
2014-07-01$246.19$149.74RVU14C
2014-04-01$246.19$149.74RVU14B
2014-01-01$246.19$149.74RVU14A
2013-10-01$255.31$146.07RVU13D
2013-07-01$255.31$146.07RVU13C
2013-04-01$255.31$146.07RVU13B
2013-01-01$255.31$146.07RVU13AR

Price 31511 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

31511 billing questions

How does this differ from code 31530?

Code 31511 describes foreign body removal using indirect laryngoscopic visualization. Code 31530 is the direct laryngoscopy approach for removal.

When should code 31531 be considered instead?

Use 31531 when foreign body removal is performed by direct laryngoscopy with an operating microscope. The indirect approach is the distinguishing feature of 31511.

Can a diagnostic laryngoscopy be reported with the removal?

A separate diagnostic laryngoscopy is not established by the removal service alone. If related endoscopies are performed together, CMS endoscopy family pricing applies.

What documentation supports reporting 31511?

Record that a foreign object was present in the larynx, that the clinician used indirect laryngoscopic visualization, and that the object was removed.

Can modifier 50 or an assistant-at-surgery claim be used?

No bilateral adjustment applies, so modifier 50 is inappropriate. CMS does not pay an assistant at surgery for this code.

What does the 0-day global period include?

Same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included in the procedure payment.

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 31511PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 3,578 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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