CPT code 31577: Laryngoscopy, foreign body removal2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Atlanta, GA
Direct operative laryngoscopy removes a foreign object lodged in the larynx when visualization and instrument retrieval are needed beyond an office examination.
In Atlanta, GA, Medicare pays $284.53 for 31577 in the office and $121.98 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 31577 nationwide
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
On this page 11 sections
What 31577 covers
An otolaryngologist typically performs this operative procedure by passing a laryngoscope through the mouth to visualize the larynx and retrieve a lodged object with instruments. It is commonly performed in an operating room or ambulatory surgery setting, often under anesthesia. The target is a foreign body in the larynx, rather than a lesion being excised or a specimen being taken for biopsy.
Report the procedure when the operative note identifies the laryngeal foreign body and documents its removal. The code has a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. CMS applies endoscopy-family pricing when related endoscopies are performed together. Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this service. Assistant-at-surgery payment requires documented medical necessity; co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted under the CMS rules for this code.
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 Atlanta, GA compares for 31577
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 31577 runs from $245.74 in Arkansas to $368.15 in San Benito County, CA. Atlanta, GA pays $284.53. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Atlanta, GA · this page$284.53
- Rest of Georgia · Georgia$259.90−$24.63
- Los Angeles, CA · California$313.89+$29.36
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$318.94+$34.41
- Miami, FL · Florida$304.30+$19.77
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$295.08+$10.55
- Manhattan, NY · New York$321.89+$37.36
Other areas in Georgia first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlaskaAlaska | $322.28 | $151.89 |
| AlabamaAlabama | $249.46 | $109.47 |
| ArkansasArkansas | $245.74 | $108.31 |
| ArizonaArizona | $271.18 | $116.15 |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $294.64 | $119.29 |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $293.67 | $118.32 |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $293.72 | $118.37 |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $293.67 | $118.32 |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $293.67 | $118.32 |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $293.67 | $118.32 |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $293.67 | $118.32 |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $293.67 | $118.32 |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $340.16 | $129.29 |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $312.30 | $123.19 |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $293.67 | $118.32 |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $293.67 | $118.32 |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $297.34 | $121.99 |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $308.16 | $122.09 |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $307.02 | $121.59 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $314.27 | $122.92 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $359.93 | $134.34 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $359.54 | $133.96 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $368.15 | $137.44 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $366.57 | $135.87 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $302.10 | $119.87 |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $317.28 | $122.89 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $308.18 | $121.63 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $320.47 | $124.01 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $293.67 | $118.32 |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $339.60 | $128.74 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $293.67 | $118.32 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $293.67 | $118.32 |
| ColoradoColorado | $289.82 | $119.59 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $297.81 | $125.50 |
| DelawareDelaware | $275.76 | $117.68 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $290.62 | $128.55 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $275.98 | $123.03 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $300.98 | $119.07 |
| IowaIowa | $255.38 | $108.99 |
| IdahoIdaho | $257.23 | $110.04 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $274.73 | $127.54 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $268.23 | $122.16 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $293.46 | $129.15 |
| IndianaIndiana | $258.75 | $110.44 |
| KansasKansas | $254.44 | $109.81 |
| KentuckyKentucky | $256.17 | $113.94 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $268.87 | $118.32 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $255.87 | $114.28 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $318.62 | $127.59 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $288.13 | $119.66 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $297.05 | $125.38 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $281.03 | $119.12 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $258.92 | $111.73 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $272.94 | $114.39 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $279.83 | $125.44 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $263.30 | $117.23 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $276.59 | $111.96 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $266.68 | $116.45 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $269.51 | $117.20 |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $251.55 | $113.63 |
| MississippiMississippi | $248.68 | $110.93 |
| MontanaMontana | $278.87 | $118.88 |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $261.66 | $112.39 |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $272.15 | $112.16 |
| NebraskaNebraska | $256.74 | $109.07 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $285.52 | $118.97 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $315.54 | $129.95 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $300.90 | $126.19 |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $264.91 | $118.20 |
| NevadaNevada | $277.20 | $117.05 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $330.26 | $140.03 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $303.12 | $127.94 |
| Queens, NYNew York | $324.18 | $135.07 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $265.72 | $113.73 |
| OhioOhio | $261.93 | $115.86 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $255.39 | $112.51 |
| Portland, OROregon | $298.90 | $121.15 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $274.74 | $115.39 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $290.41 | $123.86 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $262.20 | $115.32 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $280.88 | $119.13 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $285.50 | $120.23 |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $262.29 | $114.46 |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $271.36 | $111.37 |
| TennesseeTennessee | $255.80 | $110.37 |
| Austin, TXTexas | $289.12 | $119.85 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $260.45 | $114.85 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $275.21 | $116.66 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $277.14 | $117.79 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $275.33 | $117.58 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $276.14 | $117.27 |
| Houston, TXTexas | $282.37 | $123.50 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $267.80 | $115.97 |
| UtahUtah | $265.98 | $115.58 |
| VirginiaVirginia | $272.23 | $114.96 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $280.88 | $119.13 |
| VermontVermont | $271.33 | $112.94 |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $287.50 | $119.03 |
| King County, WAWashington | $324.90 | $128.59 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $262.80 | $109.53 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $258.11 | $119.08 |
| WyomingWyoming | $275.94 | $115.95 |
31577 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.
$245.74
$330.91
Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.
View every state and territory as a table
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $322.28 | 1 |
| AL | $249.46 | 1 |
| AR | $245.74 | 1 |
| AZ | $271.18 | 1 |
| CA | $293.67–$368.15 | 29 |
| CO | $289.82 | 1 |
| CT | $297.81 | 1 |
| DC | $318.94 | 1 |
| DE | $275.76 | 1 |
| FL | $275.98–$304.30 | 3 |
| GA | $259.90–$284.53 | 2 |
| GU | $300.98 | 1 |
| HI | $300.98 | 1 |
| IA | $255.38 | 1 |
| ID | $257.23 | 1 |
| IL | $268.23–$295.08 | 4 |
| IN | $258.75 | 1 |
| KS | $254.44 | 1 |
| KY | $256.17 | 1 |
| LA | $255.87–$268.87 | 2 |
| MA | $288.13–$318.62 | 2 |
| MD | $281.03–$318.94 | 3 |
| ME | $258.92–$272.94 | 2 |
| MI | $263.30–$279.83 | 2 |
| MN | $276.59 | 1 |
| MO | $251.55–$269.51 | 3 |
| MS | $248.68 | 1 |
| MT | $278.87 | 1 |
| NC | $261.66 | 1 |
| ND | $272.15 | 1 |
| NE | $256.74 | 1 |
| NH | $285.52 | 1 |
| NJ | $300.90–$315.54 | 2 |
| NM | $264.91 | 1 |
| NV | $277.20 | 1 |
| NY | $265.72–$330.26 | 5 |
| OH | $261.93 | 1 |
| OK | $255.39 | 1 |
| OR | $274.74–$298.90 | 2 |
| PA | $262.20–$290.41 | 2 |
| PR | $280.88 | 1 |
| RI | $285.50 | 1 |
| SC | $262.29 | 1 |
| SD | $271.36 | 1 |
| TN | $255.80 | 1 |
| TX | $260.45–$289.12 | 8 |
| UT | $265.98 | 1 |
| VA | $272.23–$318.94 | 2 |
| VI | $280.88 | 1 |
| VT | $271.33 | 1 |
| WA | $287.50–$324.90 | 2 |
| WI | $262.80 | 1 |
| WV | $258.11 | 1 |
| WY | $275.94 | 1 |
How the 31577 rate is calculated
Each of 31577’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 · 31577
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work2.14
2.14 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense5.87
5.87 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.34
0.34 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
8.3500
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$278.90
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact Atlanta, GA inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
3,610
- Code
- 31577
- Physician work
- 2.14
- Practice expense
- 5.87
- Malpractice
- 0.34
GPCI2026.csv
44
- Locality
- Atlanta, GA
- Physician work
- 1.003
- Practice expense
- 1.016
- Malpractice
- 1.201
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 2.14 | × 1.003 | 2.1464 |
| Practice expense | 5.87 | × 1.016 | 5.9639 |
| Malpractice | 0.34 | × 1.201 | 0.4083 |
| Total RVUs | 8.5187 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Atlanta, GA$284.53
Office: (2.14 × 1.003 + 5.87 × 1.016 + 0.34 × 1.201) × $33.4009 = $284.53
Facility: (2.14 × 1.003 + 1.08 × 1.016 + 0.34 × 1.201) × $33.4009 = $121.98
Payment rules and modifiers for 31577
The CMS indicators that decide how 31577 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 31577
Laryngoscopy, foreign body removal
| 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) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| 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 51 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
31577 without 51 · national office
$278.90
Laryngoscopy, foreign body removal
31577-51 · Second procedure: 50%
$139.45
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%).
How 31577 has changed in Atlanta, GA
31577 · Office / nonfacility
$284.53
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $22.34 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $262.19 to $284.53 (8.5%).
It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.
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
January 1, 2026
RVU26A
$262.19changed to$284.53
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 2.19 changed to 2.14
- Practice expense RVU 5.56 changed to 5.87
- Malpractice RVU 0.33 changed to 0.34
- Work GPCI 1.000 changed to 1.003
- Practice expense GPCI 0.997 changed to 1.016
- Malpractice GPCI 1.128 changed to 1.201
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$274.79changed to$262.19
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 5.71 changed to 5.56
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$270.31changed to$274.79
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$282.75changed to$270.31
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 5.82 changed to 5.71
- Malpractice RVU 0.34 changed to 0.33
- Practice expense GPCI 0.998 changed to 0.997
- Malpractice GPCI 1.016 changed to 1.128
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$283.73changed to$282.75
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 5.74 changed to 5.82
- Malpractice RVU 0.31 changed to 0.34
- Malpractice GPCI 0.904 changed to 1.016
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$287.44changed to$283.73
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 5.77 changed to 5.74
- Malpractice RVU 0.32 changed to 0.31
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$285.75changed to$287.44
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 5.42 changed to 5.77
- Malpractice GPCI 0.996 changed to 0.904
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$284.78changed to$285.75
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 5.38 changed to 5.42
- Practice expense GPCI 0.997 changed to 0.998
- Malpractice GPCI 1.088 changed to 0.996
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$280.49changed to$284.78
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 5.28 changed to 5.38
- Malpractice RVU 0.31 changed to 0.32
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
April 1, 2018
RVU18B
No ratechanged to$280.49
Held through RVU18C, RVU18D.
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, RVU17A, RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D, RVU18AR1.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $284.53 | $121.98 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $284.53 | $121.98 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $284.53 | $121.98 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $284.53 | $121.98 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $262.19 | $131.25 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $262.19 | $131.25 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $262.19 | $131.25 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $262.19 | $131.25 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $274.79 | $134.08 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $274.79 | $134.08 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $274.79 | $134.08 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $274.79 | $134.08 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $270.31 | $131.89 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $282.75 | $135.30 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $282.75 | $135.30 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $282.75 | $135.30 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $282.75 | $135.30 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $283.73 | $136.25 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $283.73 | $136.25 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $283.73 | $136.25 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $283.73 | $136.25 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $287.44 | $133.52 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $287.44 | $133.52 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $287.44 | $133.52 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $287.44 | $133.52 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $285.75 | $137.72 | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $285.75 | $137.72 | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $285.75 | $137.72 | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $285.75 | $137.72 | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $284.78 | $139.26 | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $284.78 | $139.26 | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $284.78 | $139.26 | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $284.78 | $139.26 | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $280.49 | $138.36 | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $280.49 | $138.36 | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $280.49 | $138.36 | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13AR |
Where the Atlanta, GA rate applies
Atlanta, GA is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 114 cities and communities in Georgia. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Atlanta
- Acworth
- Alpharetta
- 31577 in Auburn · multiple payment areas
- Austell
- Avondale Estates
- Ball Ground
- Belvedere Park
31577 billing questions
How is this different from diagnostic laryngoscopy?
Use 31577 when the laryngoscopy is operative and a foreign body is removed. A diagnostic examination without removal is represented by 31575.
When should 31578 be considered instead?
31578 describes operative removal of a laryngeal lesion. Use 31577 for removal of a foreign object, not excision of a lesion.
Can a biopsy be reported as 31577?
No. When tissue is sampled for diagnostic examination rather than a foreign body being removed, consider 31576.
Should modifier 50 be appended for bilateral work?
No. CMS identifies modifier 50 as inappropriate for this code because of its descriptor or anatomy.
What documentation supports reporting 31577?
Document the foreign body's laryngeal location, the operative visualization, and the retrieval performed. If an assistant-at-surgery claim is submitted, document 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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