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CPT code 31579: Laryngoscopy, with stroboscopy2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Chicago, IL

Flexible or rigid laryngoscopy with stroboscopic assessment evaluates vocal fold vibration in patients with hoarseness, voice change, or suspected vocal fold disorder.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality94.9K Medicare services in 2024

In Chicago, IL, Medicare pays $206.50 for 31579 in the office and $114.86 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$206.50Office (non-facility)
$114.86Hospital or facility
+5.9%vs the national office rate ($195.06)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 31579 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 31579 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Chicago, IL
  2. What 31579 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 31579 covers

An otolaryngologist or laryngologist uses a flexible scope passed through the nose or a rigid scope through the mouth to view the larynx while the patient phonates. Stroboscopic light makes vocal fold vibration appear in slow motion, helping assess the mucosal wave, vibratory symmetry, closure, and subtle abnormalities. This examination is commonly performed in an office voice clinic for persistent hoarseness, vocal fatigue, or suspected vocal fold lesions or paresis.

Report 31579 when the encounter includes stroboscopic assessment, not just laryngeal visualization. The record should support the voice-related indication and describe the examination and relevant findings. CMS assigns a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. When related endoscopies are performed together, endoscopy-family pricing applies. Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this service. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery, 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 Chicago, IL compares for 31579

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 31579 runs from $173.42 in Arkansas to $253.72 in San Benito County, CA. Chicago, IL pays $206.50. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

31579 in Chicago, IL vs other payment areas
  1. Chicago, IL · this page$206.50
  2. East St. Louis, IL · Illinois$193.12−$13.38
  3. Rest of Illinois · Illinois$188.62−$17.88
  4. Suburban Chicago, IL · Illinois$205.08−$1.42
  5. Los Angeles, CA · California$217.92+$11.42
  6. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$221.68+$15.18
  7. Miami, FL · Florida$212.48+$5.98

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

Every other payment area

31579 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Manhattan, NYNew York$224.07$118.11
AlaskaAlaska$230.21$133.10
AlabamaAlabama$175.84$96.06
ArkansasArkansas$173.42$95.09
ArizonaArizona$190.00$101.65
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$205.18$105.24
Chico, CACalifornia$204.47$104.53
El Centro, CACalifornia$204.51$104.57

31579 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.

$173.42

$230.21

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

View every state and territory as a table
31579 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$230.211
AL$175.841
AR$173.421
AZ$190.001
CA$204.47–$253.7229
CO$202.101
CT$207.661
DC$221.681
DE$193.051
FL$193.55–$212.483
GA$183.00–$198.872
GU$208.941
HI$208.941
IA$179.521
ID$180.761
IL$188.62–$206.504
IN$181.751
KS$179.001
KY$180.401
LA$180.24–$188.722
MA$201.09–$221.112
MD$196.53–$221.683
ME$181.96–$190.972
MI$185.14–$196.152
MN$193.071
MO$177.48–$189.033
MS$175.471
MT$195.051
NC$183.731
ND$190.301
NE$180.381
NH$199.221
NJ$209.87–$219.602
NM$186.221
NV$193.851
NY$186.38–$229.645
OH$184.171
OK$179.801
OR$192.18–$207.962
PA$184.29–$202.872
PR$196.331
RI$199.511
SC$184.291
SD$189.741
TN$179.891
TX$183.16–$201.578
UT$186.691
VA$190.56–$221.682
VI$196.331
VT$189.841
WA$200.61–$225.232
WI$184.231
WV$182.021
WY$192.981

See 31579 in every payment locality

How the 31579 rate is calculated

Each of 31579’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 · 31579

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.83

1.83 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense3.77

3.77 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.24

0.24 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

5.8400

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$195.06

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

The exact Chicago, IL inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

3,612

Code
31579
Physician work
1.83
Practice expense
3.77
Malpractice
0.24

GPCI2026.csv

48

Locality
Chicago, IL
Physician work
1.007
Practice expense
1.005
Malpractice
2.295
Office calculation for 31579 in Chicago, IL
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.83× 1.0071.8428
Practice expense3.77× 1.0053.7888
Malpractice0.24× 2.2950.5508
Total RVUs6.1825
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Chicago, IL$206.50

Office: (1.83 × 1.007 + 3.77 × 1.005 + 0.24 × 2.295) × $33.4009 = $206.50

Facility: (1.83 × 1.007 + 1.04 × 1.005 + 0.24 × 2.295) × $33.4009 = $114.86

Open 31579 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 31579

The CMS indicators that decide how 31579 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 31579

Laryngoscopy, with stroboscopy

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)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

31579 without 51 · national office

$195.06

Laryngoscopy, with stroboscopy

31579-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$97.53

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 31579

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

Codes related to 31579
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Chicago, IL
Used instead
31575Laryngoscopy, flexible, diagnosticDiagnostic laryngoscopy without the stroboscopic assessment of vocal fold vibration.$133.56
31576Laryngeal biopsy, flexible endoscopic approachLaryngoscopy with biopsy when tissue sampling is performed.$281.21
31578Laryngoscopy, flexible scope, lesion removalLaryngoscopy with lesion removal when an endoscopic excision is performed.$321.47
Often billed with
92524Voice evaluation, behavioral and perceptual analysisMay be reported for a distinct, separately documented formal voice and resonance evaluation.$111.52
92520Laryngeal testing, aerodynamic and acoustic measuresLaryngeal function studies may accompany stroboscopy when separately performed and documented.$92.22

How 31579 has changed in Chicago, IL

31579 · Office / nonfacility

$206.50

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $4.52 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $201.98 to $206.50 (2.2%).

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

    $201.98changed to$206.50

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.88 changed to 1.83
    • Practice expense RVU 3.76 changed to 3.77
    • Malpractice RVU 0.25 changed to 0.24
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.023 changed to 1.005
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.018 changed to 2.295

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $209.89changed to$201.98

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 3.82 changed to 3.76

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $206.47changed to$209.89

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $215.18changed to$206.47

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 3.84 changed to 3.82
    • Work GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.007
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.033 changed to 1.023
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.945 changed to 2.018

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $218.53changed to$215.18

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 3.78 changed to 3.84
    • Work GPCI 1.011 changed to 1.009
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.044 changed to 1.033
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.871 changed to 1.945

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $215.61changed to$218.53

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 3.65 changed to 3.78

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $210.76changed to$215.61

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 3.32 changed to 3.65
    • Malpractice RVU 0.26 changed to 0.25
    • Work GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.011
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.039 changed to 1.044
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.898 changed to 1.871

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $201.48changed to$210.76

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 3.09 changed to 3.32
    • Work GPCI 1.008 changed to 1.009
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.034 changed to 1.039
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.925 changed to 1.898

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $196.05changed to$201.48

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 2.95 changed to 3.09

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $194.51changed to$196.05

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 2.90 changed to 2.95
    • Work GPCI 1.012 changed to 1.008
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.036 changed to 1.034
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.972 changed to 1.925

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $233.81changed to$194.51

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Work RVU 2.26 changed to 1.88
    • Practice expense RVU 3.46 changed to 2.90
    • Malpractice RVU 0.32 changed to 0.26
    • Work GPCI 1.016 changed to 1.012
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.037 changed to 1.036
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.019 changed to 1.972

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $234.26changed to$233.81

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 3.43 changed to 3.46
    • Malpractice RVU 0.33 changed to 0.32

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $233.10changed to$234.26

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $235.37changed to$233.10

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 3.51 changed to 3.43
    • Malpractice RVU 0.29 changed to 0.33
    • Work GPCI 1.023 changed to 1.016
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.044 changed to 1.037
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.048 changed to 2.019

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $238.07changed to$235.37

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 3.85 changed to 3.51
    • Malpractice RVU 0.30 changed to 0.29
    • Work GPCI 1.030 changed to 1.023
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.051 changed to 1.044
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.077 changed to 2.048

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. October 1, 2013

    RVU13D

    No ratechanged to$238.07

  17. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$206.50$114.86RVU26D
2026-07-01$206.50$114.86RVU26C
2026-04-01$206.50$114.86RVU26B
2026-01-01$206.50$114.86RVU26A
2025-10-01$201.98$126.53RVU25D
2025-07-01$201.98$126.53RVU25C
2025-04-01$201.98$126.53RVU25B
2025-01-01$201.98$126.53RVU25A
2024-10-01$209.89$129.19RVU24D
2024-07-01$209.89$129.19RVU24C
2024-04-01$209.89$129.19RVU24B
2024-03-09$209.89$129.19RVU24AR
2024-01-01$206.47$127.08RVU24A
2023-10-01$215.18$130.82RVU23D
2023-07-01$215.18$130.82RVU23C
2023-04-01$215.18$130.82RVU23B
2023-01-01$215.18$130.82RVU23A
2022-10-01$218.53$131.10RVU22D
2022-07-01$218.53$131.10RVU22C
2022-04-01$218.53$131.10RVU22B
2022-01-01$218.53$131.10RVU22A
2021-10-01$215.61$130.36RVU21D
2021-07-01$215.61$130.36RVU21C
2021-04-01$215.61$130.36RVU21B
2021-01-01$215.61$130.36RVU21A
2020-10-01$210.76$133.89RVU20D
2020-07-01$210.76$133.89RVU20C
2020-04-01$210.76$133.89RVU20B
2020-01-01$210.76$133.89RVU20A
2019-10-01$201.48$134.03RVU19D
2019-07-01$201.48$134.03RVU19C
2019-04-01$201.48$134.03RVU19B
2019-01-01$201.48$134.03RVU19A
2018-10-01$196.05$133.51RVU18D
2018-07-01$196.05$133.51RVU18C
2018-04-01$196.05$133.51RVU18B
2018-01-01$196.05$133.51RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$194.51$135.02RVU17D
2017-07-01$194.51$135.02RVU17C
2017-04-01$194.51$135.02RVU17B
2017-01-01$194.51$135.02RVU17A
2016-10-01$233.81$161.04RVU16D
2016-07-01$233.81$161.04RVU16C
2016-04-01$233.81$161.04RVU16B
2016-01-01$233.81$161.04RVU16A
2015-10-01$234.26$161.97RVU15D
2015-07-01$234.26$161.97RVU15C
2015-04-01$233.10$161.17RVU15B
2015-01-01$233.10$161.17RVU15A
2014-10-01$235.37$161.69RVU14D
2014-07-01$235.37$161.69RVU14C
2014-04-01$235.37$161.69RVU14B
2014-01-01$235.37$161.69RVU14A
2013-10-01$238.07$159.76RVU13D
2013-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13C
2013-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13B
2013-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13AR

Price 31579 for an earlier date of service

Where the Chicago, IL rate applies

Chicago, IL is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 137 cities and communities in Illinois. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

Browse all communities in Illinois

31579 billing questions

When should 31579 be chosen instead of 31575?

Report 31579 when stroboscopy is performed to assess vocal fold vibration. Use 31575 for diagnostic laryngoscopy without that stroboscopic assessment.

Can a separate voice evaluation be reported with 31579?

A separately performed and documented formal voice and resonance evaluation may be reported with 92524. The laryngoscopy and voice evaluation must represent distinct services.

What documentation supports 31579?

Document the voice-related complaint or indication, the scope approach, that stroboscopy was performed, and the observed vocal fold vibration or other relevant findings.

Should modifier 50 be used for examination of both vocal folds?

No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate for 31579; examination of both vocal folds does not support modifier 50.

How is 31579 priced when another related endoscopy is performed?

CMS applies endoscopy-family pricing when related endoscopies are performed together. The claim should reflect the services actually performed and documented.

Can an assistant or co-surgeon be billed for 31579?

Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this code, and co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.

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 31579PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 3,612 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Chicago, ILGPCI2026.csv, line 48 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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