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

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 Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $1,876.22 for 31634 in the office and $184.73 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$1,876.22Office (non-facility)
$184.73Hospital or facility
+16.8%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 Washington, DC area
  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 Washington, DC area 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. Washington, DC area pays $1,876.22. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

31634 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$1,876.22
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$1,876.59+$0.37
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$1,684.99−$191.23
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$1,630.04−$246.18
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$1,859.58−$16.64
  6. Alaska · Alaska$1,757.65−$118.57
  7. Alabama · Alabama$1,417.03−$459.19

Other areas in District of Columbia 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.

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.

$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 Washington, DC area 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

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 31634 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work3.66× 1.0543.8576
Practice expense44.07× 1.17851.9145
Malpractice0.36× 1.1130.4007
Total RVUs56.1728
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$1876.22

Office: (3.66 × 1.054 + 44.07 × 1.178 + 0.36 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $1876.22

Facility: (3.66 × 1.054 + 1.08 × 1.178 + 0.36 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $184.73

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 Washington, DC area

31634 · Office / nonfacility

$1876.22

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $274.65 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $1601.57 to $1876.22 (17.1%).

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

    $1601.57changed to$1876.22

    • 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
    • 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

    $1721.57changed to$1601.57

    • 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

    $1693.47changed to$1721.57

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $1848.26changed to$1693.47

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 41.29 changed to 39.70
    • 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

    $2051.67changed to$1848.26

    • 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
    • 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

    $2188.04changed to$2051.67

    • 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

    $2134.49changed to$2188.04

    • 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
    • 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

    $2124.46changed to$2134.49

    • 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
    • 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

    $2177.85changed to$2124.46

    • 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. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $2180.26changed to$2177.85

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 46.69 changed to 46.67
    • Malpractice RVU 0.44 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

    $2262.05changed to$2180.26

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Work RVU 4.00 changed to 3.75
    • Practice expense RVU 48.41 changed to 46.69
    • Malpractice RVU 0.50 changed to 0.44
    • 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

    $2295.73changed to$2262.05

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 49.01 changed to 48.41
    • Malpractice RVU 0.49 changed to 0.50

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $2284.31changed to$2295.73

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $2245.74changed to$2284.31

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 48.34 changed to 49.01
    • Malpractice RVU 0.32 changed to 0.49
    • 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

    $2448.99changed to$2245.74

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 56.27 changed to 48.34
    • Malpractice RVU 0.33 changed to 0.32
    • 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: $2448.99

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$1,876.22$184.73RVU26D
2026-07-01$1,876.22$184.73RVU26C
2026-04-01$1,876.22$184.73RVU26B
2026-01-01$1,876.22$184.73RVU26A
2025-10-01$1,601.57$197.32RVU25D
2025-07-01$1,601.57$197.32RVU25C
2025-04-01$1,601.57$197.32RVU25B
2025-01-01$1,601.57$197.32RVU25A
2024-10-01$1,721.57$201.48RVU24D
2024-07-01$1,721.57$201.48RVU24C
2024-04-01$1,721.57$201.48RVU24B
2024-03-09$1,721.57$201.48RVU24AR
2024-01-01$1,693.47$198.19RVU24A
2023-10-01$1,848.26$206.81RVU23D
2023-07-01$1,848.26$206.81RVU23C
2023-04-01$1,848.26$206.81RVU23B
2023-01-01$1,848.26$206.81RVU23A
2022-10-01$2,051.67$216.27RVU22D
2022-07-01$2,051.67$216.27RVU22C
2022-04-01$2,051.67$216.27RVU22B
2022-01-01$2,051.67$216.27RVU22A
2021-10-01$2,188.04$215.80RVU21D
2021-07-01$2,188.04$215.80RVU21C
2021-04-01$2,188.04$215.80RVU21B
2021-01-01$2,188.04$215.80RVU21A
2020-10-01$2,134.49$220.73RVU20D
2020-07-01$2,134.49$220.73RVU20C
2020-04-01$2,134.49$220.73RVU20B
2020-01-01$2,134.49$220.73RVU20A
2019-10-01$2,124.46$219.32RVU19D
2019-07-01$2,124.46$219.32RVU19C
2019-04-01$2,124.46$219.32RVU19B
2019-01-01$2,124.46$219.32RVU19A
2018-10-01$2,177.85$214.50RVU18D
2018-07-01$2,177.85$214.50RVU18C
2018-04-01$2,177.85$214.50RVU18B
2018-01-01$2,177.85$214.50RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$2,180.26$222.52RVU17D
2017-07-01$2,180.26$222.52RVU17C
2017-04-01$2,180.26$222.52RVU17B
2017-01-01$2,180.26$222.52RVU17A
2016-10-01$2,262.05$236.43RVU16D
2016-07-01$2,262.05$236.43RVU16C
2016-04-01$2,262.05$236.43RVU16B
2016-01-01$2,262.05$236.43RVU16A
2015-10-01$2,295.73$238.55RVU15D
2015-07-01$2,295.73$238.55RVU15C
2015-04-01$2,284.31$237.36RVU15B
2015-01-01$2,284.31$237.36RVU15A
2014-10-01$2,245.74$227.14RVU14D
2014-07-01$2,245.74$227.14RVU14C
2014-04-01$2,245.74$227.14RVU14B
2014-01-01$2,245.74$227.14RVU14A
2013-10-01$2,448.99$221.48RVU13D
2013-07-01$2,448.99$221.48RVU13C
2013-04-01$2,448.99$221.48RVU13B
2013-01-01$2,448.99$221.48RVU13AR

Price 31634 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

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 Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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