CPT code 31622: Bronchoscopy, diagnostic with washing2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Reports diagnostic rigid or flexible bronchoscopy with airway inspection and bronchial washing when performed, without a separately described sampling or therapeutic procedure.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality30.4K Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $321.59 for 31622 in the office and $130.77 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$321.59Office (non-facility)
$130.77Hospital or facility
+13.9%vs the national office rate ($282.24)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 31622 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 31622 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 31622 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 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.

How Washington, DC area compares for 31622

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 31622 runs from $250.63 in Arkansas to $370.52 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $321.59. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

31622 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$321.59
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$316.97−$4.62
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$305.34−$16.25
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$296.74−$24.85
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$324.12+$2.53
  6. Alaska · Alaska$331.32+$9.73
  7. Alabama · Alabama$254.17−$67.42

Other areas in District of Columbia first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

31622 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$250.63$111.47
ArizonaArizona$274.91$117.94
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$298.10$120.55
Chico, CACalifornia$297.20$119.66
El Centro, CACalifornia$297.25$119.71
Fresno, CACalifornia$297.20$119.66
Hanford, CACalifornia$297.20$119.66
Madera, CACalifornia$297.20$119.66

31622 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.

$250.63

$333.86

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

View every state and territory as a table
31622 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$331.321
AL$254.171
AR$250.631
AZ$274.911
CA$297.20–$370.5229
CO$293.181
CT$300.601
DC$321.591
DE$279.361
FL$278.93–$305.343
GA$263.67–$287.532
GU$304.011
HI$304.011
IA$260.071
ID$261.781
IL$271.37–$296.744
IN$263.241
KS$259.051
KY$260.331
LA$260.00–$272.412
MA$291.58–$321.322
MD$284.52–$321.593
ME$263.27–$276.832
MI$267.02–$282.472
MN$280.691
MO$255.80–$273.153
MS$253.251
MT$282.221
NC$265.911
ND$276.291
NE$261.401
NH$288.761
NJ$303.96–$318.472
NM$268.511
NV$280.751
NY$269.78–$331.965
OH$265.811
OK$259.701
OR$278.50–$302.052
PA$266.13–$293.432
PR$284.171
RI$288.981
SC$266.321
SD$275.581
TN$260.331
TX$264.45–$292.268
UT$269.831
VA$276.07–$321.592
VI$284.171
VT$275.391
WA$290.97–$327.592
WI$267.341
WV$261.701
WY$279.631

See 31622 in every payment locality

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.

How the rate is built · 31622

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work2.47

2.47 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense5.68

5.68 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.30

0.30 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

8.4500

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$282.24

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

The exact Washington, DC area inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

3,631

Code
31622
Physician work
2.47
Practice expense
5.68
Malpractice
0.30

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 31622 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work2.47× 1.0542.6034
Practice expense5.68× 1.1786.6910
Malpractice0.30× 1.1130.3339
Total RVUs9.6283
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$321.59

Office: (2.47 × 1.054 + 5.68 × 1.178 + 0.3 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $321.59

Facility: (2.47 × 1.054 + 0.83 × 1.178 + 0.3 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $130.77

Open 31622 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 31622

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

CMS payment indicators · 31622

Bronchoscopy, diagnostic with washing

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period000Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is included.
Multiple procedures2Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%.
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

31622 without 51 · national office

$282.24

Bronchoscopy, diagnostic with washing

31622-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$141.12

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 31622 has changed in Washington, DC area

31622 · Office / nonfacility

$321.59

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $42.91 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $278.68 to $321.59 (15.4%).

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

    $278.68changed to$321.59

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 2.53 changed to 2.47
    • Practice expense RVU 4.70 changed to 5.68
    • Malpractice RVU 0.29 changed to 0.30
    • Work GPCI 1.057 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.192 changed to 1.178
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.168 changed to 1.113

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $285.18changed to$278.68

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 4.64 changed to 4.70
    • Malpractice RVU 0.31 changed to 0.29

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $280.53changed to$285.18

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $290.64changed to$280.53

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 4.57 changed to 4.64
    • Malpractice RVU 0.29 changed to 0.31
    • Work GPCI 1.056 changed to 1.057
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.214 changed to 1.192
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.231 changed to 1.168
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $301.58changed to$290.64

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 4.60 changed to 4.57
    • Malpractice RVU 0.28 changed to 0.29
    • Work GPCI 1.054 changed to 1.056
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.236 changed to 1.214
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.294 changed to 1.231

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $299.74changed to$301.58

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 4.51 changed to 4.60
    • Malpractice RVU 0.27 changed to 0.28

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $288.45changed to$299.74

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 4.09 changed to 4.51
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.221 changed to 1.236
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.277 changed to 1.294

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $283.00changed to$288.45

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 4.04 changed to 4.09
    • Work GPCI 1.045 changed to 1.049
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.221
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.261 changed to 1.277

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $283.56changed to$283.00

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 4.06 changed to 4.04

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $283.07changed to$283.56

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 4.05 changed to 4.06
    • Malpractice RVU 0.28 changed to 0.27
    • Work GPCI 1.048 changed to 1.045
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.271 changed to 1.261

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $359.56changed to$283.07

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Work RVU 2.78 changed to 2.53
    • Practice expense RVU 5.58 changed to 4.05
    • Malpractice RVU 0.31 changed to 0.28
    • Work GPCI 1.051 changed to 1.048
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.280 changed to 1.271

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $371.69changed to$359.56

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 5.83 changed to 5.58

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $369.84changed to$371.69

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $365.11changed to$369.84

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 5.72 changed to 5.83
    • Malpractice RVU 0.33 changed to 0.31
    • Work GPCI 1.050 changed to 1.051
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.202 changed to 1.205
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.280

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $376.41changed to$365.11

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 6.48 changed to 5.72
    • Malpractice RVU 0.34 changed to 0.33
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.050
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.198 changed to 1.202
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.130 changed to 1.205

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $376.41

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$321.59$130.77RVU26D
2026-07-01$321.59$130.77RVU26C
2026-04-01$321.59$130.77RVU26B
2026-01-01$321.59$130.77RVU26A
2025-10-01$278.68$139.10RVU25D
2025-07-01$278.68$139.10RVU25C
2025-04-01$278.68$139.10RVU25B
2025-01-01$278.68$139.10RVU25A
2024-10-01$285.18$143.13RVU24D
2024-07-01$285.18$143.13RVU24C
2024-04-01$285.18$143.13RVU24B
2024-03-09$285.18$143.13RVU24AR
2024-01-01$280.53$140.79RVU24A
2023-10-01$290.64$145.01RVU23D
2023-07-01$290.64$145.01RVU23C
2023-04-01$290.64$145.01RVU23B
2023-01-01$290.64$145.01RVU23A
2022-10-01$301.58$149.30RVU22D
2022-07-01$301.58$149.30RVU22C
2022-04-01$301.58$149.30RVU22B
2022-01-01$301.58$149.30RVU22A
2021-10-01$299.74$149.66RVU21D
2021-07-01$299.74$149.66RVU21C
2021-04-01$299.74$149.66RVU21B
2021-01-01$299.74$149.66RVU21A
2020-10-01$288.45$151.85RVU20D
2020-07-01$288.45$151.85RVU20C
2020-04-01$288.45$151.85RVU20B
2020-01-01$288.45$151.85RVU20A
2019-10-01$283.00$150.11RVU19D
2019-07-01$283.00$150.11RVU19C
2019-04-01$283.00$150.11RVU19B
2019-01-01$283.00$150.11RVU19A
2018-10-01$283.56$150.38RVU18D
2018-07-01$283.56$150.38RVU18C
2018-04-01$283.56$150.38RVU18B
2018-01-01$283.56$150.38RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$283.07$151.17RVU17D
2017-07-01$283.07$151.17RVU17C
2017-04-01$283.07$151.17RVU17B
2017-01-01$283.07$151.17RVU17A
2016-10-01$359.56$164.98RVU16D
2016-07-01$359.56$164.98RVU16C
2016-04-01$359.56$164.98RVU16B
2016-01-01$359.56$164.98RVU16A
2015-10-01$371.69$167.31RVU15D
2015-07-01$371.69$167.31RVU15C
2015-04-01$369.84$166.48RVU15B
2015-01-01$369.84$166.48RVU15A
2014-10-01$365.11$167.04RVU14D
2014-07-01$365.11$167.04RVU14C
2014-04-01$365.11$167.04RVU14B
2014-01-01$365.11$167.04RVU14A
2013-10-01$376.41$162.83RVU13D
2013-07-01$376.41$162.83RVU13C
2013-04-01$376.41$162.83RVU13B
2013-01-01$376.41$162.83RVU13AR

Price 31622 for an earlier date of service

Where the Washington, DC area rate applies

Washington, DC area is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 1 cities and communities in District of Columbia. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Washington

Browse all communities in District of Columbia

31622 billing questions

When should 31622 be used instead of 31624?

Use 31622 for diagnostic airway inspection with bronchial washing when performed. Use 31624 when bronchoalveolar lavage is performed to sample more distal airways and alveolar regions.

Can 31622 be reported with a bronchoscopy biopsy code?

The diagnostic inspection is generally part of a more definitive bronchoscopic procedure and is not separately reported with it. Report the code for the biopsy service performed.

Does bronchial washing require a separate code?

No. Washing is included in 31622 when performed; the documentation should identify the washing and its purpose.

How does 31622 differ from 31623?

31622 covers diagnostic inspection with washing when performed. 31623 identifies bronchial brushing, so use it when a brush is used to collect a specimen.

What should the procedure note support?

Document the diagnostic indication, whether a rigid or flexible scope was used, the airway examination and findings, and any washing or other sampling performed.

How are other same-session procedures paid?

When multiple procedures are performed in one session, Medicare pays the highest-valued procedure in full and the others at 50%. Modifier 50 is inappropriate for 31622.

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 31622PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 3,631 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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