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CPT code 31525: Laryngoscopy, diagnostic, except newborn2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Reports direct examination of the larynx, with or without tracheoscopy, to evaluate a suspected airway or voice disorder in a non-newborn patient.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality50.5K Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $284.46 for 31525 in the office and $150.68 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$284.46Office (non-facility)
$150.68Hospital or facility
+13.3%vs the national office rate ($251.17)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 31525 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 31525 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 31525 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 31525 covers

An otolaryngologist uses a laryngoscope to directly inspect the larynx and, when needed, the trachea. The examination can help assess hoarseness, suspected vocal-fold abnormalities, or other laryngeal findings that need direct visualization. It is commonly performed in a hospital or ambulatory surgical setting, often with anesthesia, although the clinical setting depends on the patient and examination plan.

Report this code for a diagnostic direct examination in a patient who is not a newborn. The operative note should identify the indication, the structures examined, and whether tracheoscopy was performed. When the same session includes a separately coded operative laryngeal service, report the code describing that work rather than separately reporting the diagnostic examination. CMS assigns a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. For multiple procedures in one 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 restricted, and co-surgeon and team-surgery billing 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 31525

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 31525 runs from $223.45 in Arkansas to $322.31 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $284.46. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

31525 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$284.46
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$278.41−$6.05
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$276.85−$7.61
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$268.97−$15.49
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$288.87+$4.41
  6. Alaska · Alaska$298.17+$13.71
  7. Alabama · Alabama$226.54−$57.92

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

Every other payment area

31525 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$223.45$125.90
ArizonaArizona$244.60$134.56
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$262.52$138.06
Chico, CACalifornia$261.42$136.96
El Centro, CACalifornia$261.49$137.02
Fresno, CACalifornia$261.42$136.96
Hanford, CACalifornia$261.42$136.96
Madera, CACalifornia$261.42$136.96

31525 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.

$223.45

$298.17

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

View every state and territory as a table
31525 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$298.171
AL$226.541
AR$223.451
AZ$244.601
CA$261.42–$322.3129
CO$259.211
CT$267.331
DC$284.461
DE$248.481
FL$250.83–$276.853
GA$237.09–$256.432
GU$266.791
HI$266.791
IA$230.521
ID$232.251
IL$245.01–$268.974
IN$233.481
KS$230.191
KY$233.121
LA$233.05–$243.882
MA$258.07–$282.962
MD$252.82–$284.463
ME$234.14–$245.112
MI$239.50–$254.532
MN$246.681
MO$229.73–$243.863
MS$226.601
MT$251.151
NC$236.341
ND$243.641
NE$231.501
NH$255.861
NJ$269.90–$281.902
NM$241.031
NV$249.211
NY$239.76–$296.445
OH$237.971
OK$231.981
OR$246.79–$266.272
PA$237.93–$261.442
PR$252.671
RI$256.481
SC$237.641
SD$242.751
TN$231.381
TX$236.51–$258.778
UT$240.701
VA$244.84–$284.462
VI$252.671
VT$243.371
WA$257.36–$287.852
WI$235.971
WV$236.611
WY$247.871

See 31525 in every payment locality

How the 31525 rate is calculated

Each of 31525’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 · 31525

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work2.56

2.56 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense4.58

4.58 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.38

0.38 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

7.5200

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$251.17

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

3,583

Code
31525
Physician work
2.56
Practice expense
4.58
Malpractice
0.38

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 31525 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work2.56× 1.0542.6982
Practice expense4.58× 1.1785.3952
Malpractice0.38× 1.1130.4229
Total RVUs8.5164
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$284.46

Office: (2.56 × 1.054 + 4.58 × 1.178 + 0.38 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $284.46

Facility: (2.56 × 1.054 + 1.18 × 1.178 + 0.38 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $150.68

Open 31525 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 31525

The CMS indicators that decide how 31525 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 31525

Laryngoscopy, diagnostic, except newborn

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period000Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is included.
Multiple procedures2Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%.
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

31525 without 51 · national office

$251.17

Laryngoscopy, diagnostic, except newborn

31525-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$125.59

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 31525

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

Codes related to 31525
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Used instead
31505Laryngoscopy, indirect, diagnosticDiagnostic indirect laryngoscopy uses a different visualization method.$101.67
Same family
31520Laryngoscopy, diagnostic, newbornDiagnostic direct laryngoscopy for a newborn.No office rate
31526Diagnostic laryngoscopy, operating microscope or telescopeDiagnostic direct laryngoscopy with an operating microscope or telescope.No office rate

How 31525 has changed in Washington, DC area

31525 · Office / nonfacility

$284.46

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $7.46 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $277.00 to $284.46 (2.7%).

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

    $277.00changed to$284.46

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 2.63 changed to 2.56
    • Practice expense RVU 4.47 changed to 4.58
    • Malpractice RVU 0.39 changed to 0.38
    • 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

    $287.05changed to$277.00

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 4.52 changed to 4.47

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $282.36changed to$287.05

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $295.91changed to$282.36

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 4.53 changed to 4.52
    • Malpractice RVU 0.37 changed to 0.39
    • 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

    $303.73changed to$295.91

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 4.45 changed to 4.53
    • Malpractice RVU 0.39 changed to 0.37
    • 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

    $303.62changed to$303.73

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 4.41 changed to 4.45
    • Malpractice RVU 0.37 changed to 0.39

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $299.49changed to$303.62

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 4.15 changed to 4.41
    • 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

    $294.76changed to$299.49

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 4.13 changed to 4.15
    • Malpractice RVU 0.36 changed to 0.37
    • 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

    $294.03changed to$294.76

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 4.11 changed to 4.13
    • Malpractice RVU 0.37 changed to 0.36

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $297.45changed to$294.03

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 4.19 changed to 4.11
    • Malpractice RVU 0.38 changed to 0.37
    • 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

    $300.18changed to$297.45

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 4.26 changed to 4.19
    • 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

    $299.53changed to$300.18

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 4.22 changed to 4.26

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $298.04changed to$299.53

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $297.46changed to$298.04

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 4.28 changed to 4.22
    • Malpractice RVU 0.33 changed to 0.38
    • 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

    $297.69changed to$297.46

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 4.68 changed to 4.28
    • Malpractice RVU 0.34 changed to 0.33
    • 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: $297.69

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$284.46$150.68RVU26D
2026-07-01$284.46$150.68RVU26C
2026-04-01$284.46$150.68RVU26B
2026-01-01$284.46$150.68RVU26A
2025-10-01$277.00$173.67RVU25D
2025-07-01$277.00$173.67RVU25C
2025-04-01$277.00$173.67RVU25B
2025-01-01$277.00$173.67RVU25A
2024-10-01$287.05$177.93RVU24D
2024-07-01$287.05$177.93RVU24C
2024-04-01$287.05$177.93RVU24B
2024-03-09$287.05$177.93RVU24AR
2024-01-01$282.36$175.03RVU24A
2023-10-01$295.91$181.13RVU23D
2023-07-01$295.91$181.13RVU23C
2023-04-01$295.91$181.13RVU23B
2023-01-01$295.91$181.13RVU23A
2022-10-01$303.73$184.82RVU22D
2022-07-01$303.73$184.82RVU22C
2022-04-01$303.73$184.82RVU22B
2022-01-01$303.73$184.82RVU22A
2021-10-01$303.62$182.87RVU21D
2021-07-01$303.62$182.87RVU21C
2021-04-01$303.62$182.87RVU21B
2021-01-01$303.62$182.87RVU21A
2020-10-01$299.49$185.36RVU20D
2020-07-01$299.49$185.36RVU20C
2020-04-01$299.49$185.36RVU20B
2020-01-01$299.49$185.36RVU20A
2019-10-01$294.76$183.59RVU19D
2019-07-01$294.76$183.59RVU19C
2019-04-01$294.76$183.59RVU19B
2019-01-01$294.76$183.59RVU19A
2018-10-01$294.03$183.41RVU18D
2018-07-01$294.03$183.41RVU18C
2018-04-01$294.03$183.41RVU18B
2018-01-01$294.03$183.41RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$297.45$185.44RVU17D
2017-07-01$297.45$185.44RVU17C
2017-04-01$297.45$185.44RVU17B
2017-01-01$297.45$185.44RVU17A
2016-10-01$300.18$187.14RVU16D
2016-07-01$300.18$187.14RVU16C
2016-04-01$300.18$187.14RVU16B
2016-01-01$300.18$187.14RVU16A
2015-10-01$299.53$186.95RVU15D
2015-07-01$299.53$186.95RVU15C
2015-04-01$298.04$186.02RVU15B
2015-01-01$298.04$186.02RVU15A
2014-10-01$297.46$185.08RVU14D
2014-07-01$297.46$185.08RVU14C
2014-04-01$297.46$185.08RVU14B
2014-01-01$297.46$185.08RVU14A
2013-10-01$297.69$179.90RVU13D
2013-07-01$297.69$179.90RVU13C
2013-04-01$297.69$179.90RVU13B
2013-01-01$297.69$179.90RVU13AR

Price 31525 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

31525 billing questions

How does 31525 differ from 31505?

31525 describes direct laryngoscopy. 31505 is an indirect diagnostic laryngoscopy, so the method of visualization determines which code fits.

When is 31526 more appropriate?

Use 31526 when the diagnostic direct examination is performed with an operating microscope or telescope. 31525 describes the diagnostic examination without that distinguishing equipment.

Can 31525 be reported with a laryngeal biopsy code?

When biopsy or another operative laryngeal service is performed during the same examination, report the code that describes that operative service rather than separately reporting the diagnostic examination.

Does 31525 have a global period?

It has a 0-day global period. Same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included.

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

Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this code. CMS restricts assistant-at-surgery payment, and co-surgeon and team-surgery billing are not permitted.

How does CMS handle 31525 when other procedures are performed in the same session?

The highest-valued procedure is paid in full, and other procedures are subject to the standard multiple procedure reduction.

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 31525PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 3,583 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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