CPT code 31634: Bronchoscopy, balloon occlusion for air leak2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Alabama

Bronchoscopic balloon occlusion temporarily blocks selected airways to help locate and measure a persistent pulmonary air leak.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality266 Medicare services in 2024

In Alabama, Medicare pays $1,417.03 for 31634 in the office and $160.62 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$1,417.03Office (non-facility)
$160.62Hospital or facility
−11.8%vs the national office rate ($1,606.25)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 31634 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 31634 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 10 sections
  1. Rate in Alabama
  2. What 31634 covers
  3. Compared with other areas
  4. Rate map
  5. How it’s calculated
  6. Payment rules
  7. Rate history
  8. Where it applies
  9. Billing questions
  10. Sources

What 31634 covers

During this procedure, a pulmonologist or other bronchoscopist passes a flexible or rigid bronchoscope into the airways and uses a balloon catheter to temporarily occlude selected branches. The clinician observes the effect on an air leak, often through a connected chest drainage system, to help identify the airway responsible. This assessment may be used when a patient has a persistent leak, such as after lung surgery or with a bronchopleural fistula, and localization could guide treatment planning.

Report the service when balloon occlusion and air-leak assessment are performed, rather than for airway inspection alone or airway dilation. The record should support the clinical reason for testing, the airways occluded, and the observed leak response or measurements. 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. CMS may pay for 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 Alabama compares for 31634

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 31634 runs from $1,392.87 in Arkansas to $2,264.73 in San Benito County, CA. Alabama pays $1,417.03. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

31634 in Alabama vs other payment areas
  1. Alabama · this page$1,417.03
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$1,876.59+$459.56
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$1,876.22+$459.19
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$1,684.99+$267.96
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$1,630.04+$213.01
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$1,859.58+$442.55
  7. Alaska · Alaska$1,757.65+$340.62

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

Every other payment area

31634 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$1,392.87$159.43
ArizonaArizona$1,558.89$167.49
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$1,745.18$171.43
Chico, CACalifornia$1,744.06$170.31
El Centro, CACalifornia$1,744.12$170.37
Fresno, CACalifornia$1,744.06$170.31
Hanford, CACalifornia$1,744.06$170.31
Madera, CACalifornia$1,744.06$170.31

31634 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.

$1,392.87

$2,004.40

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

View every state and territory as a table
31634 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$1,757.651
AL$1,417.031
AR$1,392.871
AZ$1,558.891
CA$1,744.06–$2,264.7329
CO$1,699.291
CT$1,724.561
DC$1,876.221
DE$1,587.981
FL$1,547.53–$1,684.993
GA$1,449.58–$1,632.582
GU$1,802.851
HI$1,802.851
IA$1,473.881
ID$1,482.151
IL$1,484.96–$1,656.134
IN$1,492.611
KS$1,458.981
KY$1,441.841
LA$1,436.47–$1,521.042
MA$1,683.78–$1,895.502
MD$1,624.15–$1,876.223
ME$1,483.95–$1,588.562
MI$1,479.74–$1,562.982
MN$1,640.471
MO$1,402.80–$1,535.623
MS$1,398.511
MT$1,606.231
NC$1,503.291
ND$1,599.111
NE$1,485.431
NH$1,665.101
NJ$1,747.73–$1,850.282
NM$1,486.491
NV$1,605.711
NY$1,529.08–$1,902.585
OH$1,478.281
OK$1,446.071
OR$1,596.79–$1,768.522
PA$1,484.89–$1,671.122
PR$1,622.261
RI$1,655.851
SC$1,492.581
SD$1,598.271
TN$1,466.731
TX$1,472.92–$1,690.508
UT$1,516.701
VA$1,577.69–$1,876.222
VI$1,622.261
VT$1,585.591
WA$1,682.98–$1,944.302
WI$1,536.111
WV$1,418.601
WY$1,603.121

See 31634 in every payment locality

How the 31634 rate is calculated

Each of 31634’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 · 31634

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work3.66

3.66 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense44.07

44.07 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.36

0.36 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

48.0900

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$1,606.25

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

3,643

Code
31634
Physician work
3.66
Practice expense
44.07
Malpractice
0.36

GPCI2026.csv

4

Locality
Alabama
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.875
Malpractice
0.566
Office calculation for 31634 in Alabama
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work3.66× 1.0003.6600
Practice expense44.07× 0.87538.5613
Malpractice0.36× 0.5660.2038
Total RVUs42.4250
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Alabama$1417.03

Office: (3.66 × 1 + 44.07 × 0.875 + 0.36 × 0.566) × $33.4009 = $1417.03

Facility: (3.66 × 1 + 1.08 × 0.875 + 0.36 × 0.566) × $33.4009 = $160.62

Open 31634 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 31634

The CMS indicators that decide how 31634 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 31634

Bronchoscopy, balloon occlusion for air leak

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)2Paid.
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

31634 without 51 · national office

$1,606.25

Bronchoscopy, balloon occlusion for air leak

31634-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$803.13

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 31634 has changed in Alabama

31634 · Office / nonfacility

$1417.03

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $225.01 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $1192.02 to $1417.03 (18.9%).

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

    $1192.02changed to$1417.03

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 3.75 changed to 3.66
    • Practice expense RVU 37.84 changed to 44.07
    • Malpractice RVU 0.38 changed to 0.36
    • 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

    $1280.31changed to$1192.02

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 39.70 changed to 37.84
    • Malpractice RVU 0.37 changed to 0.38

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $1259.41changed to$1280.31

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $1364.96changed to$1259.41

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 41.29 changed to 39.70
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.878 changed to 0.869
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.748 changed to 0.575
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $1505.40changed to$1364.96

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 44.36 changed to 41.29
    • Malpractice RVU 0.39 changed to 0.37
    • 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

    $1603.65changed to$1505.40

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 47.18 changed to 44.36
    • Malpractice RVU 0.34 changed to 0.39

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $1583.02changed to$1603.65

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 44.82 changed to 47.18
    • Malpractice RVU 0.38 changed to 0.34
    • 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

    $1593.77changed to$1583.02

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 45.26 changed to 44.82
    • Malpractice RVU 0.39 changed to 0.38
    • 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

    $1635.07changed to$1593.77

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 46.67 changed to 45.26
    • Malpractice RVU 0.27 changed to 0.39

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. April 1, 2018

    RVU18B

    No ratechanged to$1635.07

    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$1,417.03$160.62RVU26D
2026-07-01$1,417.03$160.62RVU26C
2026-04-01$1,417.03$160.62RVU26B
2026-01-01$1,417.03$160.62RVU26A
2025-10-01$1,192.02$168.28RVU25D
2025-07-01$1,192.02$168.28RVU25C
2025-04-01$1,192.02$168.28RVU25B
2025-01-01$1,192.02$168.28RVU25A
2024-10-01$1,280.31$172.12RVU24D
2024-07-01$1,280.31$172.12RVU24C
2024-04-01$1,280.31$172.12RVU24B
2024-03-09$1,280.31$172.12RVU24AR
2024-01-01$1,259.41$169.31RVU24A
2023-10-01$1,364.96$177.81RVU23D
2023-07-01$1,364.96$177.81RVU23C
2023-04-01$1,364.96$177.81RVU23B
2023-01-01$1,364.96$177.81RVU23A
2022-10-01$1,505.40$186.76RVU22D
2022-07-01$1,505.40$186.76RVU22C
2022-04-01$1,505.40$186.76RVU22B
2022-01-01$1,505.40$186.76RVU22A
2021-10-01$1,603.65$186.70RVU21D
2021-07-01$1,603.65$186.70RVU21C
2021-04-01$1,603.65$186.70RVU21B
2021-01-01$1,603.65$186.70RVU21A
2020-10-01$1,583.02$189.63RVU20D
2020-07-01$1,583.02$189.63RVU20C
2020-04-01$1,583.02$189.63RVU20B
2020-01-01$1,583.02$189.63RVU20A
2019-10-01$1,593.77$186.65RVU19D
2019-07-01$1,593.77$186.65RVU19C
2019-04-01$1,593.77$186.65RVU19B
2019-01-01$1,593.77$186.65RVU19A
2018-10-01$1,635.07$184.96RVU18D
2018-07-01$1,635.07$184.96RVU18C
2018-04-01$1,635.07$184.96RVU18B
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 31634 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

31634 billing questions

When is 31634 more appropriate than a diagnostic bronchoscopy code?

Use 31634 when balloon occlusion is performed to assess an air leak. Airway inspection without that assessment is a different service.

What documentation supports reporting 31634?

Document the indication for air-leak localization, the airway branches occluded, and the leak response or measurements observed during the test.

Can modifier 50 be used when both lungs are assessed?

No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate for this code.

How does CMS price related endoscopies performed in the same session?

Endoscopy family pricing applies when related endoscopies are performed together.

Can an assistant, co-surgeon, or surgical team be reported?

An assistant at surgery may be paid. Co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.

What does the 0-day global period include?

Same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included in the procedure.

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 31634PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 3,643 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for AlabamaGPCI2026.csv, line 4 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

Did this answer your question about what 31634 pays in Alabama?

Tell us what you were actually trying to work out. We’ll answer you directly, or build the page that does.

Fee sheets · Coming soon

Put 31634 and the rest of your codes on one sheet

Your codes at your locality, with payer contracts beside Medicare.

Join the waitlist