CPT code 31622: Bronchoscopy, diagnostic with washing2026 Medicare rate & RVUs

Medicare pays $282.24 for 31622 nationally in the office and $120.24 in a hospital or facility. Local office rates run $250.63–$370.52.

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

What 31622 covers

A pulmonologist or other qualified physician uses a rigid or flexible bronchoscope to inspect the tracheobronchial tree for diagnostic purposes. The service may include bronchial washing: saline is introduced into an airway and retrieved for cytology or microbiology. Typical indications include evaluating hemoptysis, persistent cough, suspected airway lesions, or infection. Bronchoscopy is commonly performed in a hospital or ambulatory surgery center, with office use less frequent.

Report this code when the diagnostic examination, with washing if performed, is the service provided; document the indication, scope findings, and any washing collected. Use a more specific bronchoscopy code when brushings, lavage, or biopsy are performed. The 0-day global period includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care. For multiple procedures in one session, Medicare pays the highest-valued procedure in full and others at 50%. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery; 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 31622 pays more and less

The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.

109 of 109 payment localities

31622 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

How the 31622 rate is calculated

Each of 31622’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.

Payment rules and modifiers for 31622

The CMS indicators that decide how 31622 is paid alongside other services.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 51

31622 compared with similar codes

How to choose

31623BronchoscopyBrush cytology

Choose 31623 when bronchial brushing is performed to collect a specimen. Diagnostic inspection with washing when performed is described by 31622.

31624BronchoscopyBronchoalveolar lavage

Choose 31624 for bronchoalveolar lavage, which samples distal airways and alveolar regions; 31622 describes diagnostic bronchoscopy with bronchial washing when performed.

31625Bronchoscopy biopsyAirway tissue sampling

Choose 31625 when bronchial or endobronchial tissue is sampled by biopsy. Inspection and washing without that biopsy are described by 31622.

Codes related to 31622

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

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

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates