CPT code 31573: Laryngoscopy, therapeutic injection2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Merced, CA

Reports flexible laryngoscopy used to deliver therapeutic injections to laryngeal structures, such as botulinum toxin for spasmodic dysphonia.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality3K Medicare services in 2024

In Merced, CA, Medicare pays $301.84 for 31573 in the office and $128.32 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$301.84Office (non-facility)
$128.32Hospital or facility
+5.1%vs the national office rate ($287.25)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 31573 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 31573 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Merced, CA
  2. What 31573 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 31573 covers

An otolaryngologist or laryngologist passes a flexible scope to visualize the larynx and deliver one or more therapeutic injections. A common use is botulinum toxin injection for spasmodic dysphonia; medication may also be injected for another therapeutic purpose. The flexible approach distinguishes this service from injection performed during direct laryngoscopy. It is commonly performed in an office or procedural setting, with the record identifying the target and therapeutic agent.

Report the service when the flexible laryngoscopy and therapeutic injection are performed, not for diagnostic visualization alone or injection intended to augment vocal-fold volume. Document the approach, injection site, purpose, and medication. This minor procedure has a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. When related endoscopies are performed together, endoscopy-family pricing applies. For a bilateral procedure, modifier 50 is paid at 150%. Assistant-at-surgery payment requires documented 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 Merced, CA compares for 31573

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 31573 runs from $253.77 in Arkansas to $377.04 in San Benito County, CA. Merced, CA pays $301.84. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

31573 in Merced, CA vs other payment areas
  1. Merced, CA · this page$301.84
  2. Bakersfield, CA · California$302.87+$1.03
  3. Chico, CA · California$301.84
  4. El Centro, CA · California$301.90+$0.06
  5. Fresno, CA · California$301.84
  6. Hanford, CA · California$301.84
  7. Los Angeles, CA · California$322.33+$20.49

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

Every other payment area

31573 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Madera, CACalifornia$301.84$128.32
Modesto, CACalifornia$301.84$128.32
Napa, CACalifornia$348.67$140.00
Oxnard, CACalifornia$320.61$133.48
Redding, CACalifornia$301.84$128.32
Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia$301.84$128.32
Riverside, CACalifornia$305.73$132.21
Sacramento, CACalifornia$316.48$132.35

31573 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.

$253.77

$339.44

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

View every state and territory as a table
31573 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$334.171
AL$257.521
AR$253.771
AZ$279.441
CA$301.84–$377.0429
CO$298.111
CT$306.451
DC$327.781
DE$284.081
FL$284.67–$313.673
GA$268.38–$293.042
GU$309.051
HI$309.051
IA$263.331
ID$265.231
IL$276.96–$304.354
IN$266.751
KS$262.461
KY$264.461
LA$264.20–$277.322
MA$296.46–$327.212
MD$289.41–$327.783
ME$267.02–$281.052
MI$271.74–$288.632
MN$284.471
MO$259.88–$277.863
MS$256.861
MT$287.221
NC$269.771
ND$280.111
NE$264.671
NH$293.781
NJ$309.62–$324.422
NM$273.391
NV$285.441
NY$273.87–$339.675
OH$270.291
OK$263.591
OR$282.89–$307.202
PA$270.51–$299.032
PR$289.221
RI$293.921
SC$270.541
SD$279.261
TN$263.841
TX$268.75–$297.418
UT$274.261
VA$280.38–$327.782
VI$289.221
VT$279.351
WA$295.79–$333.512
WI$270.691
WV$266.751
WY$284.121

See 31573 in every payment locality

How the 31573 rate is calculated

Each of 31573’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 · 31573

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work2.37

2.37 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense5.87

5.87 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.36

0.36 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

8.6000

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$287.25

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

The exact Merced, CA inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

3,606

Code
31573
Physician work
2.37
Practice expense
5.87
Malpractice
0.36

GPCI2026.csv

15

Locality
Merced, CA
Physician work
1.017
Practice expense
1.096
Malpractice
0.536
Office calculation for 31573 in Merced, CA
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work2.37× 1.0172.4103
Practice expense5.87× 1.0966.4335
Malpractice0.36× 0.5360.1930
Total RVUs9.0368
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Merced, CA$301.84

Office: (2.37 × 1.017 + 5.87 × 1.096 + 0.36 × 0.536) × $33.4009 = $301.84

Facility: (2.37 × 1.017 + 1.13 × 1.096 + 0.36 × 0.536) × $33.4009 = $128.32

Open 31573 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 31573

The CMS indicators that decide how 31573 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 31573

Laryngoscopy, therapeutic injection

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)1Bilateral with modifier 50 pays 150% of the fee schedule amount.
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 50 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

31573 without 50 · national office

$287.25

Laryngoscopy, therapeutic injection

31573-50 · Bilateral: 150%

$430.88

Both sides on one line with modifier 50 are paid at 150% of the fee schedule amount (subject to multiple-procedure rules with other procedures).

When to use modifier 50

How 31573 has changed in Merced, CA

31573 · Office / nonfacility

$301.84

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $11.45 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $290.39 to $301.84 (3.9%).

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

    $290.39changed to$301.84

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 2.43 changed to 2.37
    • Practice expense RVU 5.78 changed to 5.87
    • Malpractice RVU 0.35 changed to 0.36
    • Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.017
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.093 changed to 1.096
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.560 changed to 0.536

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $302.12changed to$290.39

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 5.87 changed to 5.78

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $297.18changed to$302.12

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $306.31changed to$297.18

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 5.89 changed to 5.87
    • Work GPCI 1.021 changed to 1.014
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.079 changed to 1.093
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.579 changed to 0.560
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $307.52changed to$306.31

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 5.81 changed to 5.89
    • Malpractice RVU 0.34 changed to 0.35
    • Work GPCI 1.027 changed to 1.021
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.065 changed to 1.079
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.597 changed to 0.579

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $300.94changed to$307.52

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 5.57 changed to 5.81
    • Malpractice RVU 0.33 changed to 0.34

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $292.28changed to$300.94

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 5.07 changed to 5.57
    • Malpractice RVU 0.32 changed to 0.33
    • Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.027
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.070 changed to 1.065
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.580 changed to 0.597

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $283.37changed to$292.28

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 4.83 changed to 5.07
    • Malpractice RVU 0.35 changed to 0.32
    • Work GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.024
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.074 changed to 1.070
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.562 changed to 0.580

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $277.83changed to$283.37

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 4.70 changed to 4.83
    • Malpractice RVU 0.34 changed to 0.35

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $280.90changed to$277.83

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 4.75 changed to 4.70
    • Malpractice RVU 0.35 changed to 0.34
    • Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.020
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.079 changed to 1.074
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.610 changed to 0.562

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    No ratechanged to$280.90

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D, RVU14A, RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D, RVU15A, RVU15B, RVU15C, RVU15D, RVU16A, RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$301.84$128.32RVU26D
2026-07-01$301.84$128.32RVU26C
2026-04-01$301.84$128.32RVU26B
2026-01-01$301.84$128.32RVU26A
2025-10-01$290.39$145.79RVU25D
2025-07-01$290.39$145.79RVU25C
2025-04-01$290.39$145.79RVU25B
2025-01-01$290.39$145.79RVU25A
2024-10-01$302.12$149.31RVU24D
2024-07-01$302.12$149.31RVU24C
2024-04-01$302.12$149.31RVU24B
2024-03-09$302.12$149.31RVU24AR
2024-01-01$297.18$146.87RVU24A
2023-10-01$306.31$151.27RVU23D
2023-07-01$306.31$151.27RVU23C
2023-04-01$306.31$151.27RVU23B
2023-01-01$306.31$151.27RVU23A
2022-10-01$307.52$151.25RVU22D
2022-07-01$307.52$151.25RVU22C
2022-04-01$307.52$151.25RVU22B
2022-01-01$307.52$151.25RVU22A
2021-10-01$300.94$150.81RVU21D
2021-07-01$300.94$150.81RVU21C
2021-04-01$300.94$150.81RVU21B
2021-01-01$300.94$150.81RVU21A
2020-10-01$292.28$153.27RVU20D
2020-07-01$292.28$153.27RVU20C
2020-04-01$292.28$153.27RVU20B
2020-01-01$292.28$153.27RVU20A
2019-10-01$283.37$154.09RVU19D
2019-07-01$283.37$154.09RVU19C
2019-04-01$283.37$154.09RVU19B
2019-01-01$283.37$154.09RVU19A
2018-10-01$277.83$152.94RVU18D
2018-07-01$277.83$152.94RVU18C
2018-04-01$277.83$152.94RVU18B
2018-01-01$277.83$152.94RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$280.90$155.83RVU17D
2017-07-01$280.90$155.83RVU17C
2017-04-01$280.90$155.83RVU17B
2017-01-01$280.90$155.83RVU17A
2016-10-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU16D
2016-07-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU16C
2016-04-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU16B
2016-01-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU16A
2015-10-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU15D
2015-07-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU15C
2015-04-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU15B
2015-01-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU15A
2014-10-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU14D
2014-07-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU14C
2014-04-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU14B
2014-01-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU14A
2013-10-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU13D
2013-07-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU13C
2013-04-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU13B
2013-01-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU13AR

Price 31573 for an earlier date of service

Where the Merced, CA rate applies

Merced, CA is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 24 cities and communities in California. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Merced
  • Atwater
  • Ballico
  • Bear Creek
  • Cressey
  • Delhi
  • Dos Palos
  • Dos Palos Y

Browse all communities in California

31573 billing questions

How does 31573 differ from 31574?

31573 is for therapeutic injection, such as botulinum toxin. Use 31574 when the injection is intended to augment vocal-fold volume.

How does 31573 differ from 31570 or 31571?

31573 uses a flexible laryngoscope. Codes 31570 and 31571 describe therapeutic vocal-cord injection performed through direct laryngoscopy.

Can diagnostic laryngoscopy be reported separately?

The flexible visualization needed to perform the therapeutic injection is part of 31573. A separate diagnostic scope service should not be reported for that same work.

How is a bilateral injection reported?

For a bilateral procedure, report modifier 50; CMS pays 150% under the rule for this code.

What documentation supports 31573?

Document the flexible approach, laryngeal injection site, therapeutic purpose, and medication used. For assistant-at-surgery payment, the record must establish 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 31573PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 3,606 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Merced, CAGPCI2026.csv, line 15 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

Did this answer your question about what 31573 pays in Merced, CA?

Tell us what you were actually trying to work out. We’ll answer you directly, or build the page that does.

Fee sheets · Coming soon

Put 31573 and the rest of your codes on one sheet

Your codes at your locality, with payer contracts beside Medicare.

Join the waitlist