CPT code 31579: Laryngoscopy, with stroboscopy2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in South Carolina

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 South Carolina, Medicare pays $184.29 for 31579 in the office and $100.03 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$184.29Office (non-facility)
$100.03Hospital or facility
−5.5%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 South Carolina
  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 South Carolina 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. South Carolina pays $184.29. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

31579 in South Carolina vs other payment areas
  1. South Carolina · this page$184.29
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$217.92+$33.63
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$221.68+$37.39
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$212.48+$28.19
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$206.50+$22.21
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$224.07+$39.78
  7. Alaska · Alaska$230.21+$45.92

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

Every other payment area

31579 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
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
Fresno, CACalifornia$204.47$104.53
Hanford, CACalifornia$204.47$104.53

31579 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.

$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 South Carolina 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

93

Locality
South Carolina
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.924
Malpractice
0.850
Office calculation for 31579 in South Carolina
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.83× 1.0001.8300
Practice expense3.77× 0.9243.4835
Malpractice0.24× 0.8500.2040
Total RVUs5.5175
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, South Carolina$184.29

Office: (1.83 × 1 + 3.77 × 0.924 + 0.24 × 0.85) × $33.4009 = $184.29

Facility: (1.83 × 1 + 1.04 × 0.924 + 0.24 × 0.85) × $33.4009 = $100.03

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

How 31579 has changed in South Carolina

31579 · Office / nonfacility

$184.29

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $5.83 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $178.46 to $184.29 (3.3%).

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

    $178.46changed to$184.29

    • 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 0.913 changed to 0.924
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.817 changed to 0.850

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $185.47changed to$178.46

    • 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

    $182.45changed to$185.47

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $188.27changed to$182.45

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 3.84 changed to 3.82
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.913
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.756 changed to 0.817
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $189.20changed to$188.27

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 3.78 changed to 3.84
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.903 changed to 0.908
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.756

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $186.67changed to$189.20

    • 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

    $182.38changed to$186.67

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.907 changed to 0.903
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.624 changed to 0.695

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $174.50changed to$182.38

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 3.09 changed to 3.32
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.912 changed to 0.907
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.553 changed to 0.624

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $169.71changed to$174.50

    • 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

    $168.31changed to$169.71

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 2.90 changed to 2.95
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.634 changed to 0.553

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $202.09changed to$168.31

    • 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
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.715 changed to 0.634

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $202.09changed to$202.09

    • 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

    $201.09changed to$202.09

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $201.93changed to$201.09

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.911 changed to 0.912
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.618 changed to 0.715

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $201.27changed to$201.93

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.909 changed to 0.911
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.520 changed to 0.618

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $201.27

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$184.29$100.03RVU26D
2026-07-01$184.29$100.03RVU26C
2026-04-01$184.29$100.03RVU26B
2026-01-01$184.29$100.03RVU26A
2025-10-01$178.46$111.13RVU25D
2025-07-01$178.46$111.13RVU25C
2025-04-01$178.46$111.13RVU25B
2025-01-01$178.46$111.13RVU25A
2024-10-01$185.47$113.45RVU24D
2024-07-01$185.47$113.45RVU24C
2024-04-01$185.47$113.45RVU24B
2024-03-09$185.47$113.45RVU24AR
2024-01-01$182.45$111.60RVU24A
2023-10-01$188.27$114.11RVU23D
2023-07-01$188.27$114.11RVU23C
2023-04-01$188.27$114.11RVU23B
2023-01-01$188.27$114.11RVU23A
2022-10-01$189.20$113.57RVU22D
2022-07-01$189.20$113.57RVU22C
2022-04-01$189.20$113.57RVU22B
2022-01-01$189.20$113.57RVU22A
2021-10-01$186.67$112.94RVU21D
2021-07-01$186.67$112.94RVU21C
2021-04-01$186.67$112.94RVU21B
2021-01-01$186.67$112.94RVU21A
2020-10-01$182.38$115.27RVU20D
2020-07-01$182.38$115.27RVU20C
2020-04-01$182.38$115.27RVU20B
2020-01-01$182.38$115.27RVU20A
2019-10-01$174.50$115.01RVU19D
2019-07-01$174.50$115.01RVU19C
2019-04-01$174.50$115.01RVU19B
2019-01-01$174.50$115.01RVU19A
2018-10-01$169.71$114.55RVU18D
2018-07-01$169.71$114.55RVU18C
2018-04-01$169.71$114.55RVU18B
2018-01-01$169.71$114.55RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$168.31$115.94RVU17D
2017-07-01$168.31$115.94RVU17C
2017-04-01$168.31$115.94RVU17B
2017-01-01$168.31$115.94RVU17A
2016-10-01$202.09$138.09RVU16D
2016-07-01$202.09$138.09RVU16C
2016-04-01$202.09$138.09RVU16B
2016-01-01$202.09$138.09RVU16A
2015-10-01$202.09$138.52RVU15D
2015-07-01$202.09$138.52RVU15C
2015-04-01$201.09$137.83RVU15B
2015-01-01$201.09$137.83RVU15A
2014-10-01$201.93$137.64RVU14D
2014-07-01$201.93$137.64RVU14C
2014-04-01$201.93$137.64RVU14B
2014-01-01$201.93$137.64RVU14A
2013-10-01$201.27$133.54RVU13D
2013-07-01$201.27$133.54RVU13C
2013-04-01$201.27$133.54RVU13B
2013-01-01$201.27$133.54RVU13AR

Price 31579 for an earlier date of service

Where the South Carolina rate applies

South Carolina is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 475 cities and communities in South Carolina. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Abbeville
  • Abney Crossroads
  • Adams Run
  • Aiken
  • Alcolu
  • Allendale
  • Anderson
  • Andrews

Browse all communities in South Carolina

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 South CarolinaGPCI2026.csv, line 93 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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