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CPT code 31512: Laryngeal lesion removal, indirect laryngoscopy2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Delaware

Report 31512 when a clinician uses indirect laryngoscopic visualization to remove a lesion from the larynx, rather than only examining or biopsying it.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality

In Delaware, Medicare pays $214.46 for 31512 in the office and $111.50 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$214.46Office (non-facility)
$111.50Hospital or facility
−1.1%vs the national office rate ($216.77)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 31512 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 31512 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Delaware
  2. What 31512 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 31512 covers

An otolaryngologist typically performs this service when an identified laryngeal lesion can be reached and removed under indirect visualization. The clinician views the larynx indirectly and uses an instrument to remove the lesion; this differs from a diagnostic examination alone or a procedure performed with direct operative laryngoscopy. The service may be provided in an office or another setting appropriate to the patient and procedure.

Choose the code for removal, not for inspection alone, biopsy alone, or removal of a foreign body. The operative note should identify the laryngeal lesion, document its removal, and support the indirect approach. This minor procedure has a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. When related endoscopies are performed together, CMS endoscopy-family pricing applies. Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this code. Assistant-at-surgery payment requires documentation of 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 Delaware compares for 31512

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 31512 runs from $192.39 in Arkansas to $281.41 in San Benito County, CA. Delaware pays $214.46. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

31512 in Delaware vs other payment areas
  1. Delaware · this page$214.46
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$241.83+$27.37
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$246.36+$31.90
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$237.31+$22.85
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$230.49+$16.03
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$249.38+$34.92
  7. Alaska · Alaska$255.23+$40.77

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

Every other payment area

31512 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$195.12$103.93
ArkansasArkansas$192.39$102.87
ArizonaArizona$211.05$110.07
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$227.67$113.45
Chico, CACalifornia$226.83$112.61
El Centro, CACalifornia$226.88$112.66
Fresno, CACalifornia$226.83$112.61
Hanford, CACalifornia$226.83$112.61

31512 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.

$192.39

$255.23

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

View every state and territory as a table
31512 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$255.231
AL$195.121
AR$192.391
AZ$211.051
CA$226.83–$281.4129
CO$224.401
CT$230.911
DC$246.361
DE$214.461
FL$215.50–$237.313
GA$203.55–$221.162
GU$231.821
HI$231.821
IA$199.061
ID$200.501
IL$210.08–$230.494
IN$201.601
KS$198.561
KY$200.451
LA$200.31–$209.852
MA$223.28–$245.562
MD$218.33–$246.363
ME$201.94–$211.942
MI$205.87–$218.532
MN$214.001
MO$197.25–$210.093
MS$194.841
MT$216.751
NC$203.921
ND$211.021
NE$200.001
NH$221.291
NJ$233.25–$244.022
NM$207.131
NV$215.291
NY$206.91–$255.785
OH$204.701
OK$199.671
OR$213.34–$230.872
PA$204.79–$225.582
PR$218.161
RI$221.611
SC$204.711
SD$210.341
TN$199.581
TX$203.52–$223.908
UT$207.411
VA$211.55–$246.362
VI$218.161
VT$210.591
WA$222.73–$250.072
WI$204.211
WV$202.661
WY$214.251

See 31512 in every payment locality

How the 31512 rate is calculated

Each of 31512’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 · 31512

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work2.02

2.02 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense4.18

4.18 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.29

0.29 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

6.4900

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$216.77

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

The exact Delaware inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

3,579

Code
31512
Physician work
2.02
Practice expense
4.18
Malpractice
0.29

GPCI2026.csv

40

Locality
Delaware
Physician work
1.005
Practice expense
0.988
Malpractice
0.899
Office calculation for 31512 in Delaware
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work2.02× 1.0052.0301
Practice expense4.18× 0.9884.1298
Malpractice0.29× 0.8990.2607
Total RVUs6.4207
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Delaware$214.46

Office: (2.02 × 1.005 + 4.18 × 0.988 + 0.29 × 0.899) × $33.4009 = $214.46

Facility: (2.02 × 1.005 + 1.06 × 0.988 + 0.29 × 0.899) × $33.4009 = $111.50

Open 31512 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 31512

The CMS indicators that decide how 31512 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 31512

Laryngeal lesion 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)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 51 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

31512 without 51 · national office

$216.77

Laryngeal lesion removal, indirect laryngoscopy

31512-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$108.39

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 31512

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

Codes related to 31512
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Delaware
Same family
31505Laryngoscopy, indirect, diagnosticIndirect laryngoscopy for examination without lesion removal.$87.58
31510Laryngoscopy, indirect approach with biopsyIndirect laryngoscopy with biopsy rather than lesion removal.$212.81
31511Laryngeal FB removal, indirect laryngoscopyIndirect laryngoscopy for removal of a laryngeal foreign body.$208.54
31513Vocal-fold injection, indirect approachIndirect laryngoscopy with injection into a vocal cord.No office rate
Used instead
31540Laryngeal excision, without operating scopeLaryngoscopic tumor excision using a direct operative approach.No office rate
31545Vocal cord excision, with operating microscope or telescopeMicrosurgical removal of a vocal cord lesion using an operative scope.No office rate

How 31512 has changed in Delaware

31512 · Office / nonfacility

$214.46

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $5.80 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $208.66 to $214.46 (2.8%).

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

    $208.66changed to$214.46

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 2.07 changed to 2.02
    • Practice expense RVU 4.12 changed to 4.18
    • Work GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.005
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.992 changed to 0.988
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.949 changed to 0.899

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $216.70changed to$208.66

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 4.17 changed to 4.12
    • Malpractice RVU 0.30 changed to 0.29

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $213.16changed to$216.70

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $222.15changed to$213.16

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Malpractice RVU 0.29 changed to 0.30
    • Work GPCI 1.007 changed to 1.009
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.007 changed to 0.992
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.938 changed to 0.949

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $225.63changed to$222.15

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 4.09 changed to 4.17
    • Malpractice RVU 0.28 changed to 0.29
    • Work GPCI 1.005 changed to 1.007
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.022 changed to 1.007
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.938

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $222.54changed to$225.63

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 3.96 changed to 4.09
    • Malpractice RVU 0.27 changed to 0.28

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $219.62changed to$222.54

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 3.64 changed to 3.96
    • Malpractice RVU 0.28 changed to 0.27
    • Work GPCI 1.006 changed to 1.005
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.021 changed to 1.022
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.023 changed to 0.927

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $217.59changed to$219.62

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 3.55 changed to 3.64
    • Malpractice RVU 0.30 changed to 0.28
    • Work GPCI 1.007 changed to 1.006
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.019 changed to 1.021
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.119 changed to 1.023

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $212.55changed to$217.59

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 3.43 changed to 3.55
    • Malpractice RVU 0.29 changed to 0.30

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $215.61changed to$212.55

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 3.51 changed to 3.43
    • Work GPCI 1.010 changed to 1.007
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.025 changed to 1.019
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.101 changed to 1.119

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $215.82changed to$215.61

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Work GPCI 1.012 changed to 1.010
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.031 changed to 1.025
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.083 changed to 1.101

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $218.49changed to$215.82

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 3.54 changed to 3.51
    • Malpractice RVU 0.31 changed to 0.29

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $217.40changed to$218.49

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $216.34changed to$217.40

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 3.58 changed to 3.54
    • Malpractice RVU 0.26 changed to 0.31
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.038 changed to 1.031
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.878 changed to 1.083

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $219.53changed to$216.34

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 4.00 changed to 3.58
    • Malpractice RVU 0.27 changed to 0.26
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.044 changed to 1.038
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.672 changed to 0.878

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $219.53

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$214.46$111.50RVU26D
2026-07-01$214.46$111.50RVU26C
2026-04-01$214.46$111.50RVU26B
2026-01-01$214.46$111.50RVU26A
2025-10-01$208.66$125.56RVU25D
2025-07-01$208.66$125.56RVU25C
2025-04-01$208.66$125.56RVU25B
2025-01-01$208.66$125.56RVU25A
2024-10-01$216.70$128.86RVU24D
2024-07-01$216.70$128.86RVU24C
2024-04-01$216.70$128.86RVU24B
2024-03-09$216.70$128.86RVU24AR
2024-01-01$213.16$126.76RVU24A
2023-10-01$222.15$130.70RVU23D
2023-07-01$222.15$130.70RVU23C
2023-04-01$222.15$130.70RVU23B
2023-01-01$222.15$130.70RVU23A
2022-10-01$225.63$131.20RVU22D
2022-07-01$225.63$131.20RVU22C
2022-04-01$225.63$131.20RVU22B
2022-01-01$225.63$131.20RVU22A
2021-10-01$222.54$130.18RVU21D
2021-07-01$222.54$130.18RVU21C
2021-04-01$222.54$130.18RVU21B
2021-01-01$222.54$130.18RVU21A
2020-10-01$219.62$134.13RVU20D
2020-07-01$219.62$134.13RVU20C
2020-04-01$219.62$134.13RVU20B
2020-01-01$219.62$134.13RVU20A
2019-10-01$217.59$136.06RVU19D
2019-07-01$217.59$136.06RVU19C
2019-04-01$217.59$136.06RVU19B
2019-01-01$217.59$136.06RVU19A
2018-10-01$212.55$135.15RVU18D
2018-07-01$212.55$135.15RVU18C
2018-04-01$212.55$135.15RVU18B
2018-01-01$212.55$135.15RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$215.61$137.26RVU17D
2017-07-01$215.61$137.26RVU17C
2017-04-01$215.61$137.26RVU17B
2017-01-01$215.61$137.26RVU17A
2016-10-01$215.82$137.19RVU16D
2016-07-01$215.82$137.19RVU16C
2016-04-01$215.82$137.19RVU16B
2016-01-01$215.82$137.19RVU16A
2015-10-01$218.49$138.83RVU15D
2015-07-01$218.49$138.83RVU15C
2015-04-01$217.40$138.14RVU15B
2015-01-01$217.40$138.14RVU15A
2014-10-01$216.34$136.39RVU14D
2014-07-01$216.34$136.39RVU14C
2014-04-01$216.34$136.39RVU14B
2014-01-01$216.34$136.39RVU14A
2013-10-01$219.53$132.86RVU13D
2013-07-01$219.53$132.86RVU13C
2013-04-01$219.53$132.86RVU13B
2013-01-01$219.53$132.86RVU13AR

Price 31512 for an earlier date of service

Where the Delaware rate applies

Delaware is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 79 cities and communities in Delaware. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Arden
  • Ardencroft
  • Ardentown
  • Bear
  • Bellefonte
  • Bethany Beach
  • Bethel
  • Blades

Browse all communities in Delaware

31512 billing questions

How does 31512 differ from 31505?

31505 is for diagnostic indirect laryngoscopy. Report 31512 when the clinician removes a laryngeal lesion during the indirect examination.

When is 31510 a better choice?

Use 31510 for indirect laryngoscopy with biopsy when tissue is sampled for diagnosis, rather than a lesion being removed as the service.

Can 31512 be reported with another endoscopy on the same date?

Related endoscopies performed together are subject to CMS endoscopy-family pricing. Document the distinct procedures performed; payment follows the applicable family pricing.

Should modifier 50 be used for lesions on both sides?

No. The CMS bilateral adjustment does not apply to 31512, and modifier 50 is inappropriate.

What documentation supports reporting 31512?

Document the laryngeal lesion, the indirect visualization approach, and that the lesion was removed. An assistant-at-surgery claim also 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 31512PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 3,579 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for DelawareGPCI2026.csv, line 40 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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