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

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 Virginia, Medicare pays $297.03 for 31623 in the office and $116.45 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$297.03Office (non-facility)
$116.45Hospital or facility
−2.0%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 Virginia
  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 Virginia 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. Virginia pays $297.03. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

31623 in Virginia vs other payment areas
  1. Virginia · this page$297.03
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$342.08+$45.05
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$345.75+$48.72
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$323.79+$26.76
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$314.97+$17.94
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$347.04+$50.01
  7. Alaska · Alaska$355.71+$58.68

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

Every other payment area

31623 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$273.29$112.55
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

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 Virginia 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

106

Locality
Virginia
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.983
Malpractice
0.706
Office calculation for 31623 in Virginia
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work2.56× 1.0002.5600
Practice expense6.27× 0.9836.1634
Malpractice0.24× 0.7060.1694
Total RVUs8.8928
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Virginia$297.03

Office: (2.56 × 1 + 6.27 × 0.983 + 0.24 × 0.706) × $33.4009 = $297.03

Facility: (2.56 × 1 + 0.77 × 0.983 + 0.24 × 0.706) × $33.4009 = $116.45

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, Virginia
Same family
31622Bronchoscopy, diagnostic with washingDiagnostic bronchoscopy with washing; differs from brush collection.$276.07
31624Bronchoscopy, bronchoalveolar lavageBronchoscopic lavage collects fluid rather than brush cytology.$280.61
31625Bronchoscopy biopsy, airway tissue samplingBronchoscopic biopsy obtains tissue with forceps rather than cells by brushing.$376.53
31628Lung biopsy, single lobeBronchoscopic lung biopsy samples lung tissue rather than airway cells by brushing.$400.46

How 31623 has changed in Virginia

31623 · Office / nonfacility

$297.03

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $36.84 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $260.19 to $297.03 (14.2%).

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

    $260.19changed to$297.03

    • 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
    • Work GPCI 1.002 changed to 1.000
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.984 changed to 0.983
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.755 changed to 0.706

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $268.74changed to$260.19

    • 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

    $264.35changed to$268.74

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $274.09changed to$264.35

    • 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
    • Work GPCI 1.000 changed to 1.002
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.990 changed to 0.984
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.826 changed to 0.755

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $286.54changed to$274.09

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 5.48 changed to 5.33
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.995 changed to 0.990
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.897 changed to 0.826

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $284.43changed to$286.54

    • 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

    $274.11changed to$284.43

    • 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 0.991 changed to 0.995
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.903 changed to 0.897

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $267.57changed to$274.11

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 4.66 changed to 4.81
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.986 changed to 0.991
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.903

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $275.80changed to$267.57

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

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $272.67changed to$275.80

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 4.85 changed to 4.90
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.985 changed to 0.986
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.866 changed to 0.908

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $332.22changed to$272.67

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Work RVU 2.88 changed to 2.63
    • Practice expense RVU 6.30 changed to 4.85
    • Malpractice RVU 0.25 changed to 0.22
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.983 changed to 0.985
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.824 changed to 0.866

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $333.37changed to$332.22

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 6.29 changed to 6.30
    • Malpractice RVU 0.26 changed to 0.25

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $331.71changed to$333.37

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $328.15changed to$331.71

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 6.21 changed to 6.29
    • Malpractice RVU 0.25 changed to 0.26
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.980 changed to 0.983
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.778 changed to 0.824

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $337.80changed to$328.15

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 7.02 changed to 6.21
    • Malpractice RVU 0.26 changed to 0.25
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.977 changed to 0.980
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.731 changed to 0.778

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $337.80

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$297.03$116.45RVU26D
2026-07-01$297.03$116.45RVU26C
2026-04-01$297.03$116.45RVU26B
2026-01-01$297.03$116.45RVU26A
2025-10-01$260.19$123.32RVU25D
2025-07-01$260.19$123.32RVU25C
2025-04-01$260.19$123.32RVU25B
2025-01-01$260.19$123.32RVU25A
2024-10-01$268.74$126.58RVU24D
2024-07-01$268.74$126.58RVU24C
2024-04-01$268.74$126.58RVU24B
2024-03-09$268.74$126.58RVU24AR
2024-01-01$264.35$124.52RVU24A
2023-10-01$274.09$128.49RVU23D
2023-07-01$274.09$128.49RVU23C
2023-04-01$274.09$128.49RVU23B
2023-01-01$274.09$128.49RVU23A
2022-10-01$286.54$132.97RVU22D
2022-07-01$286.54$132.97RVU22C
2022-04-01$286.54$132.97RVU22B
2022-01-01$286.54$132.97RVU22A
2021-10-01$284.43$133.41RVU21D
2021-07-01$284.43$133.41RVU21C
2021-04-01$284.43$133.41RVU21B
2021-01-01$284.43$133.41RVU21A
2020-10-01$274.11$136.78RVU20D
2020-07-01$274.11$136.78RVU20C
2020-04-01$274.11$136.78RVU20B
2020-01-01$274.11$136.78RVU20A
2019-10-01$267.57$136.10RVU19D
2019-07-01$267.57$136.10RVU19C
2019-04-01$267.57$136.10RVU19B
2019-01-01$267.57$136.10RVU19A
2018-10-01$275.80$137.72RVU18D
2018-07-01$275.80$137.72RVU18C
2018-04-01$275.80$137.72RVU18B
2018-01-01$275.80$137.72RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$272.67$137.28RVU17D
2017-07-01$272.67$137.28RVU17C
2017-04-01$272.67$137.28RVU17B
2017-01-01$272.67$137.28RVU17A
2016-10-01$332.22$148.86RVU16D
2016-07-01$332.22$148.86RVU16C
2016-04-01$332.22$148.86RVU16B
2016-01-01$332.22$148.86RVU16A
2015-10-01$333.37$149.69RVU15D
2015-07-01$333.37$149.69RVU15C
2015-04-01$331.71$148.94RVU15B
2015-01-01$331.71$148.94RVU15A
2014-10-01$328.15$148.75RVU14D
2014-07-01$328.15$148.75RVU14C
2014-04-01$328.15$148.75RVU14B
2014-01-01$328.15$148.75RVU14A
2013-10-01$337.80$145.34RVU13D
2013-07-01$337.80$145.34RVU13C
2013-04-01$337.80$145.34RVU13B
2013-01-01$337.80$145.34RVU13AR

Price 31623 for an earlier date of service

Where the Virginia rate applies

Virginia is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 628 cities and communities in Virginia. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Abbs Valley
  • Abingdon
  • Accomac
  • Adwolf
  • Afton
  • Alberta
  • Aldie
  • Allison Gap

Browse all communities in Virginia

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 VirginiaGPCI2026.csv, line 106 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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