CPT code 31573: Laryngoscopy, therapeutic injection2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Louisiana
Reports flexible laryngoscopy used to deliver therapeutic injections to laryngeal structures, such as botulinum toxin for spasmodic dysphonia.
Medicare pays $264.20–$277.32 for 31573 in the office in Louisiana, from Rest of Louisiana to New Orleans, LA. Which amount applies depends on the service address.
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
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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.
Where 31573 pays more and less in Louisiana
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| New Orleans, LA | $277.32 | $128.34 |
| Rest of Louisiana | $264.20 | $124.08 |
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
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.
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
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 000 | Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is included. |
| Multiple procedures | 3 | Endoscopy family rules apply. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 1 | Bilateral with modifier 50 pays 150% of the fee schedule amount. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 0 | Not paid without supporting documentation. |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 0 | Physician 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).
31573 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
5 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 31574Vocal fold injectionFlexible scope, unilateral
- Choose 31573 for therapeutic medication injection, such as botulinum toxin. Choose 31574 when the injection augments vocal-fold volume.
- 31570Vocal fold injectionDirect, without optical magnification
- Both describe therapeutic vocal-cord injection, but 31570 uses direct laryngoscopy; 31573 uses flexible laryngoscopy.
- 31572Laser laryngoscopyFlexible scope, lesion destruction
- 31572 treats laryngeal lesions by ablation or destruction. 31573 delivers therapeutic injections instead.
- 31575LaryngoscopyFlexible, diagnostic
- 31575 is diagnostic flexible laryngoscopy. Report 31573 when the flexible examination includes therapeutic injection.
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
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