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CPT code 31623: Bronchoscopy, brush cytology2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Alabama

Reports bronchoscopic collection of airway cells with a brush for cytologic evaluation, such as sampling a suspicious endobronchial area.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality6.3K Medicare services in 2024

In Alabama, Medicare pays $273.29 for 31623 in the office and $112.55 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$273.29Office (non-facility)
$112.55Hospital or facility
−9.8%vs the national office rate ($302.95)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 31623 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 31623 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Alabama
  2. What 31623 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 31623 covers

A pulmonologist or other qualified proceduralist advances a flexible or rigid bronchoscope into the airways and brushes a selected area to collect cells for cytology. The technique may be used when an airway abnormality, including a suspicious lesion, needs cellular evaluation. The brush specimen is distinct from tissue removed with biopsy forceps or fluid collected by washing or lavage.

Report 31623 when brushing is performed, and document the indication, sampled airway location, and collection method in the procedure record. CMS assigns this minor procedure 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. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this service; 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 Alabama compares for 31623

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 31623 runs from $269.53 in Arkansas to $401.20 in San Benito County, CA. Alabama pays $273.29. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

31623 in Alabama vs other payment areas
  1. Alabama · this page$273.29
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$342.08+$68.79
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$345.75+$72.46
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$323.79+$50.50
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$314.97+$41.68
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$347.04+$73.75
  7. Alaska · Alaska$355.71+$82.42

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

Every other payment area

31623 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$269.53$111.73
ArizonaArizona$295.30$117.29
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$321.54$120.20
Chico, CACalifornia$320.78$119.44
El Centro, CACalifornia$320.82$119.48
Fresno, CACalifornia$320.78$119.44
Hanford, CACalifornia$320.78$119.44
Madera, CACalifornia$320.78$119.44

31623 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.

$269.53

$360.99

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

View every state and territory as a table
31623 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$355.711
AL$273.291
AR$269.531
AZ$295.301
CA$320.78–$401.2029
CO$315.621
CT$322.471
DC$345.751
DE$300.051
FL$297.76–$323.793
GA$281.87–$308.162
GU$328.261
HI$328.261
IA$280.311
ID$281.971
IL$289.24–$315.394
IN$283.541
KS$278.871
KY$279.021
LA$278.53–$291.682
MA$313.79–$346.202
MD$305.66–$345.753
ME$283.16–$298.102
MI$285.76–$301.122
MN$303.381
MO$273.84–$292.913
MS$271.741
MT$302.931
NC$286.021
ND$298.181
NE$281.831
NH$310.531
NJ$326.41–$342.392
NM$287.181
NV$301.821
NY$290.09–$354.875
OH$284.791
OK$278.751
OR$299.73–$325.512
PA$285.33–$314.622
PR$305.131
RI$310.621
SC$285.831
SD$297.621
TN$280.181
TX$283.53–$314.358
UT$289.561
VA$297.03–$345.752
VI$305.131
VT$296.891
WA$313.24–$353.292
WI$288.601
WV$278.971
WY$300.861

See 31623 in every payment locality

How the 31623 rate is calculated

Each of 31623’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 · 31623

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work2.56

2.56 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense6.27

6.27 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.24

0.24 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

9.0700

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$302.95

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

The exact Alabama inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

3,632

Code
31623
Physician work
2.56
Practice expense
6.27
Malpractice
0.24

GPCI2026.csv

4

Locality
Alabama
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.875
Malpractice
0.566
Office calculation for 31623 in Alabama
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work2.56× 1.0002.5600
Practice expense6.27× 0.8755.4863
Malpractice0.24× 0.5660.1358
Total RVUs8.1821
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Alabama$273.29

Office: (2.56 × 1 + 6.27 × 0.875 + 0.24 × 0.566) × $33.4009 = $273.29

Facility: (2.56 × 1 + 0.77 × 0.875 + 0.24 × 0.566) × $33.4009 = $112.55

Open 31623 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 31623

The CMS indicators that decide how 31623 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 31623

Bronchoscopy, brush cytology

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

31623 without 51 · national office

$302.95

Bronchoscopy, brush cytology

31623-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$151.48

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 31623

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

Codes related to 31623
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Alabama
Same family
31622Bronchoscopy, diagnostic with washingDiagnostic bronchoscopy with washing; differs from brush collection.$254.17
31624Bronchoscopy, bronchoalveolar lavageBronchoscopic lavage collects fluid rather than brush cytology.$258.68
31625Bronchoscopy biopsy, airway tissue samplingBronchoscopic biopsy obtains tissue with forceps rather than cells by brushing.$345.65
31628Lung biopsy, single lobeBronchoscopic lung biopsy samples lung tissue rather than airway cells by brushing.$368.47

How 31623 has changed in Alabama

31623 · Office / nonfacility

$273.29

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $34.40 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $238.89 to $273.29 (14.4%).

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

    $238.89changed to$273.29

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 2.63 changed to 2.56
    • Practice expense RVU 5.32 changed to 6.27
    • Malpractice RVU 0.23 changed to 0.24
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.869 changed to 0.875
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.575 changed to 0.566

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $246.71changed to$238.89

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 5.35 changed to 5.32

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $242.68changed to$246.71

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $253.28changed to$242.68

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 5.33 changed to 5.35
    • Malpractice RVU 0.22 changed to 0.23
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.878 changed to 0.869
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.748 changed to 0.575

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $266.43changed to$253.28

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 5.48 changed to 5.33
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.888 changed to 0.878
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.921 changed to 0.748

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $264.60changed to$266.43

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 5.36 changed to 5.48
    • Malpractice RVU 0.21 changed to 0.22

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $254.85changed to$264.60

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 4.81 changed to 5.36
    • Malpractice RVU 0.22 changed to 0.21
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.889 changed to 0.888
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.707 changed to 0.921

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $248.15changed to$254.85

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 4.66 changed to 4.81
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.890 changed to 0.889
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.492 changed to 0.707

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $255.57changed to$248.15

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 4.90 changed to 4.66

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. April 1, 2018

    RVU18B

    No ratechanged to$255.57

    Held through RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. 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.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$273.29$112.55RVU26D
2026-07-01$273.29$112.55RVU26C
2026-04-01$273.29$112.55RVU26B
2026-01-01$273.29$112.55RVU26A
2025-10-01$238.89$118.02RVU25D
2025-07-01$238.89$118.02RVU25C
2025-04-01$238.89$118.02RVU25B
2025-01-01$238.89$118.02RVU25A
2024-10-01$246.71$121.16RVU24D
2024-07-01$246.71$121.16RVU24C
2024-04-01$246.71$121.16RVU24B
2024-03-09$246.71$121.16RVU24AR
2024-01-01$242.68$119.19RVU24A
2023-10-01$253.28$124.16RVU23D
2023-07-01$253.28$124.16RVU23C
2023-04-01$253.28$124.16RVU23B
2023-01-01$253.28$124.16RVU23A
2022-10-01$266.43$129.37RVU22D
2022-07-01$266.43$129.37RVU22C
2022-04-01$266.43$129.37RVU22B
2022-01-01$266.43$129.37RVU22A
2021-10-01$264.60$129.81RVU21D
2021-07-01$264.60$129.81RVU21C
2021-04-01$264.60$129.81RVU21B
2021-01-01$264.60$129.81RVU21A
2020-10-01$254.85$131.65RVU20D
2020-07-01$254.85$131.65RVU20C
2020-04-01$254.85$131.65RVU20B
2020-01-01$254.85$131.65RVU20A
2019-10-01$248.15$129.48RVU19D
2019-07-01$248.15$129.48RVU19C
2019-04-01$248.15$129.48RVU19B
2019-01-01$248.15$129.48RVU19A
2018-10-01$255.57$130.94RVU18D
2018-07-01$255.57$130.94RVU18C
2018-04-01$255.57$130.94RVU18B
2018-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU18AR1
2017-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU17D
2017-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU17C
2017-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU17B
2017-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU17A
2016-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16D
2016-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16C
2016-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16B
2016-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16A
2015-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15D
2015-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15C
2015-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15B
2015-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15A
2014-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14D
2014-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14C
2014-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14B
2014-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14A
2013-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13D
2013-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13C
2013-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13B
2013-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13AR

Price 31623 for an earlier date of service

Where the Alabama rate applies

Alabama is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 595 cities and communities in Alabama. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Abanda
  • Abbeville
  • Adamsville
  • Addison
  • Akron
  • Alabaster
  • Albertville
  • Alexander City

Browse all communities in Alabama

31623 billing questions

How is brushing different from bronchial washing or lavage?

31623 represents cell collection with a brush. Washing and lavage collect fluid specimens and are represented by 31622 and 31624, respectively.

When should 31625 be considered instead?

Use 31625 when tissue is sampled with biopsy forceps. Brushing collects cells for cytology rather than a tissue specimen.

Can brushing be reported with another bronchoscopy procedure?

The procedure report should identify each technique performed and the sampled site. CMS applies endoscopy family pricing when related endoscopies are performed together.

Should modifier 50 be appended for brushing in both lungs?

No. The CMS bilateral adjustment does not apply to 31623, and modifier 50 is inappropriate.

How does the 0-day global period affect same-day care?

Same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included in the procedure's 0-day global period.

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 31623PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 3,632 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for AlabamaGPCI2026.csv, line 4 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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