CPT code 31525: Laryngoscopy, diagnostic, except newborn2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in New Mexico

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 New Mexico, Medicare pays $241.03 for 31525 in the office and $136.89 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$241.03Office (non-facility)
$136.89Hospital or facility
−4.0%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 New Mexico
  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 New Mexico 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. New Mexico pays $241.03. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

31525 in New Mexico vs other payment areas
  1. New Mexico · this page$241.03
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$278.41+$37.38
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$284.46+$43.43
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$276.85+$35.82
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$268.97+$27.94
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$288.87+$47.84
  7. Alaska · Alaska$298.17+$57.14

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

Every other payment area

31525 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$226.54$127.18
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

31525 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.

$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 New Mexico 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

77

Locality
New Mexico
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.917
Malpractice
1.201
Office calculation for 31525 in New Mexico
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work2.56× 1.0002.5600
Practice expense4.58× 0.9174.1999
Malpractice0.38× 1.2010.4564
Total RVUs7.2162
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, New Mexico$241.03

Office: (2.56 × 1 + 4.58 × 0.917 + 0.38 × 1.201) × $33.4009 = $241.03

Facility: (2.56 × 1 + 1.18 × 0.917 + 0.38 × 1.201) × $33.4009 = $136.89

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

How 31525 has changed in New Mexico

31525 · Office / nonfacility

$241.03

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $9.89 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $231.14 to $241.03 (4.3%).

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

    $231.14changed to$241.03

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.917
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.172 changed to 1.201

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $239.38changed to$231.14

    • 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

    $235.47changed to$239.38

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $242.25changed to$235.47

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.902 changed to 0.908
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.169 changed to 1.172
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $244.73changed to$242.25

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.896 changed to 0.902
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.166 changed to 1.169

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $244.70changed to$244.73

    • 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

    $247.03changed to$244.70

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 4.15 changed to 4.41
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.896
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.207 changed to 1.166

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $248.04changed to$247.03

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.921 changed to 0.908
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.247 changed to 1.207

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $247.56changed to$248.04

    • 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

    $249.15changed to$247.56

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.920 changed to 0.921
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.204 changed to 1.247

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $250.13changed to$249.15

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 4.26 changed to 4.19
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.919 changed to 0.920
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.161 changed to 1.204

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $249.71changed to$250.13

    • 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

    $248.47changed to$249.71

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $247.72changed to$248.47

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.918 changed to 0.919
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.079 changed to 1.161

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $246.87changed to$247.72

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.916 changed to 0.918
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.997 changed to 1.079

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $246.87

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$241.03$136.89RVU26D
2026-07-01$241.03$136.89RVU26C
2026-04-01$241.03$136.89RVU26B
2026-01-01$241.03$136.89RVU26A
2025-10-01$231.14$152.43RVU25D
2025-07-01$231.14$152.43RVU25C
2025-04-01$231.14$152.43RVU25B
2025-01-01$231.14$152.43RVU25A
2024-10-01$239.38$156.26RVU24D
2024-07-01$239.38$156.26RVU24C
2024-04-01$239.38$156.26RVU24B
2024-03-09$239.38$156.26RVU24AR
2024-01-01$235.47$153.71RVU24A
2023-10-01$242.25$156.97RVU23D
2023-07-01$242.25$156.97RVU23C
2023-04-01$242.25$156.97RVU23B
2023-01-01$242.25$156.97RVU23A
2022-10-01$244.73$158.53RVU22D
2022-07-01$244.73$158.53RVU22C
2022-04-01$244.73$158.53RVU22B
2022-01-01$244.73$158.53RVU22A
2021-10-01$244.70$157.16RVU21D
2021-07-01$244.70$157.16RVU21C
2021-04-01$244.70$157.16RVU21B
2021-01-01$244.70$157.16RVU21A
2020-10-01$247.03$162.15RVU20D
2020-07-01$247.03$162.15RVU20C
2020-04-01$247.03$162.15RVU20B
2020-01-01$247.03$162.15RVU20A
2019-10-01$248.04$163.07RVU19D
2019-07-01$248.04$163.07RVU19C
2019-04-01$248.04$163.07RVU19B
2019-01-01$248.04$163.07RVU19A
2018-10-01$247.56$163.01RVU18D
2018-07-01$247.56$163.01RVU18C
2018-04-01$247.56$163.01RVU18B
2018-01-01$247.56$163.01RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$249.15$163.64RVU17D
2017-07-01$249.15$163.64RVU17C
2017-04-01$249.15$163.64RVU17B
2017-01-01$249.15$163.64RVU17A
2016-10-01$250.13$163.92RVU16D
2016-07-01$250.13$163.92RVU16C
2016-04-01$250.13$163.92RVU16B
2016-01-01$250.13$163.92RVU16A
2015-10-01$249.71$163.86RVU15D
2015-07-01$249.71$163.86RVU15C
2015-04-01$248.47$163.04RVU15B
2015-01-01$248.47$163.04RVU15A
2014-10-01$247.72$161.89RVU14D
2014-07-01$247.72$161.89RVU14C
2014-04-01$247.72$161.89RVU14B
2014-01-01$247.72$161.89RVU14A
2013-10-01$246.87$156.80RVU13D
2013-07-01$246.87$156.80RVU13C
2013-04-01$246.87$156.80RVU13B
2013-01-01$246.87$156.80RVU13AR

Price 31525 for an earlier date of service

Where the New Mexico rate applies

New Mexico is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 528 cities and communities in New Mexico. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Abeytas
  • Abiquiu
  • Acomita Lake
  • Adelino
  • Agua Fria
  • Alamillo
  • Alamo
  • Alamogordo

Browse all communities in New Mexico

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 New MexicoGPCI2026.csv, line 77 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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