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CPT code 31511: Laryngeal FB removal, indirect laryngoscopy2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Iowa

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 Iowa, Medicare pays $193.65 for 31511 in the office and $107.46 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$193.65Office (non-facility)
$107.46Hospital or facility
−8.1%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 Iowa
  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 Iowa 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. Iowa pays $193.65. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

31511 in Iowa vs other payment areas
  1. Iowa · this page$193.65
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$234.12+$40.47
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$238.88+$45.23
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$231.42+$37.77
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$224.88+$31.23
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$242.24+$48.59
  7. Alaska · Alaska$249.97+$56.32

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

Every other payment area

31511 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$190.13$107.71
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

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 Iowa 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

53

Locality
Iowa
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.915
Malpractice
0.397
Office calculation for 31511 in Iowa
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work2.11× 1.0002.1100
Practice expense3.90× 0.9153.5685
Malpractice0.30× 0.3970.1191
Total RVUs5.7976
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Iowa$193.65

Office: (2.11 × 1 + 3.9 × 0.915 + 0.3 × 0.397) × $33.4009 = $193.65

Facility: (2.11 × 1 + 1.08 × 0.915 + 0.3 × 0.397) × $33.4009 = $107.46

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, Iowa
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.$81.45
Same family
31512Laryngeal lesion removal, indirect laryngoscopyIndirect laryngoscopic removal of a lesion rather than a foreign object.$199.06

How 31511 has changed in Iowa

31511 · Office / nonfacility

$193.65

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $6.83 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $186.82 to $193.65 (3.7%).

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

    $186.82changed to$193.65

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.913 changed to 0.915
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.457 changed to 0.397

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $194.38changed to$186.82

    • 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

    $191.21changed to$194.38

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $197.33changed to$191.21

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.910 changed to 0.913
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.441 changed to 0.457

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $200.45changed to$197.33

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.907 changed to 0.910
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.425 changed to 0.441

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $200.06changed to$200.45

    • 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

    $199.38changed to$200.06

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 3.56 changed to 3.79
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.424 changed to 0.425

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $198.11changed to$199.38

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 3.53 changed to 3.56
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.423 changed to 0.424

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $196.61changed to$198.11

    • 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

    $197.53changed to$196.61

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.902 changed to 0.907
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.458 changed to 0.423

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $198.16changed to$197.53

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.896 changed to 0.902
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.493 changed to 0.458

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $197.76changed to$198.16

    • 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

    $196.78changed to$197.76

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $195.28changed to$196.78

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.892 changed to 0.896
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.475 changed to 0.493

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $201.43changed to$195.28

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.887 changed to 0.892
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.456 changed to 0.475

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $201.43

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$193.65$107.46RVU26D
2026-07-01$193.65$107.46RVU26C
2026-04-01$193.65$107.46RVU26B
2026-01-01$193.65$107.46RVU26A
2025-10-01$186.82$120.67RVU25D
2025-07-01$186.82$120.67RVU25C
2025-04-01$186.82$120.67RVU25B
2025-01-01$186.82$120.67RVU25A
2024-10-01$194.38$123.88RVU24D
2024-07-01$194.38$123.88RVU24C
2024-04-01$194.38$123.88RVU24B
2024-03-09$194.38$123.88RVU24AR
2024-01-01$191.21$121.85RVU24A
2023-10-01$197.33$124.86RVU23D
2023-07-01$197.33$124.86RVU23C
2023-04-01$197.33$124.86RVU23B
2023-01-01$197.33$124.86RVU23A
2022-10-01$200.45$123.23RVU22D
2022-07-01$200.45$123.23RVU22C
2022-04-01$200.45$123.23RVU22B
2022-01-01$200.45$123.23RVU22A
2021-10-01$200.06$123.16RVU21D
2021-07-01$200.06$123.16RVU21C
2021-04-01$200.06$123.16RVU21B
2021-01-01$200.06$123.16RVU21A
2020-10-01$199.38$125.73RVU20D
2020-07-01$199.38$125.73RVU20C
2020-04-01$199.38$125.73RVU20B
2020-01-01$199.38$125.73RVU20A
2019-10-01$198.11$125.22RVU19D
2019-07-01$198.11$125.22RVU19C
2019-04-01$198.11$125.22RVU19B
2019-01-01$198.11$125.22RVU19A
2018-10-01$196.61$123.80RVU18D
2018-07-01$196.61$123.80RVU18C
2018-04-01$196.61$123.80RVU18B
2018-01-01$196.61$123.80RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$197.53$123.40RVU17D
2017-07-01$197.53$123.40RVU17C
2017-04-01$197.53$123.40RVU17B
2017-01-01$197.53$123.40RVU17A
2016-10-01$198.16$124.05RVU16D
2016-07-01$198.16$124.05RVU16C
2016-04-01$198.16$124.05RVU16B
2016-01-01$198.16$124.05RVU16A
2015-10-01$197.76$123.71RVU15D
2015-07-01$197.76$123.71RVU15C
2015-04-01$196.78$123.09RVU15B
2015-01-01$196.78$123.09RVU15A
2014-10-01$195.28$123.70RVU14D
2014-07-01$195.28$123.70RVU14C
2014-04-01$195.28$123.70RVU14B
2014-01-01$195.28$123.70RVU14A
2013-10-01$201.43$120.55RVU13D
2013-07-01$201.43$120.55RVU13C
2013-04-01$201.43$120.55RVU13B
2013-01-01$201.43$120.55RVU13AR

Price 31511 for an earlier date of service

Where the Iowa rate applies

Iowa is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 1026 cities and communities in Iowa. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Ackley
  • Ackworth
  • Adair
  • Adel
  • Afton
  • Agency
  • Ainsworth
  • Akron

Browse all communities in Iowa

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 IowaGPCI2026.csv, line 53 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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