CPT code 31654: Bronchoscopy guidance, peripheral lesion localization2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Baltimore area, MD

Add-on bronchoscopy guidance using endobronchial ultrasound to localize peripheral pulmonary lesions during a separately reported bronchoscopic procedure, commonly for tissue sampling.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality27.3K Medicare services in 2024

In Baltimore area, MD, Medicare pays $138.95 for 31654 in the office and $62.26 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$138.95Office (non-facility)
$62.26Hospital or facility
+5.9%vs the national office rate ($131.27)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 31654 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 31654 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Baltimore area, MD
  2. What 31654 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 31654 covers

During bronchoscopy, the physician advances an endobronchial ultrasound probe to locate a peripheral lung lesion and guide the bronchoscopic procedure toward it. This is commonly used by pulmonologists and interventional pulmonologists when a lung nodule or other peripheral abnormality is difficult to target by direct airway visualization. The code represents EBUS guidance for peripheral lesions, not EBUS-guided sampling of mediastinal or hilar lymph nodes.

Report 31654 only with a primary bronchoscopy procedure; examples of tissue-acquisition procedures that may be paired include transbronchial lung biopsy (31628) and transbronchial needle aspiration (31629), when performed. Documentation should identify the peripheral target and describe use of EBUS to localize or guide work on that lesion. CMS treats this as an add-on code, paid within the primary procedure's global period; it is not reported as a standalone service.

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 Baltimore area, MD compares for 31654

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 31654 runs from $117.72 in Arkansas to $170.16 in San Benito County, CA. Baltimore area, MD pays $138.95. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

31654 in Baltimore area, MD vs other payment areas
  1. Baltimore area, MD · this page$138.95
  2. Rest of Maryland · Maryland$132.34−$6.61
  3. Los Angeles, CA · California$146.54+$7.59
  4. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$148.67+$9.72
  5. Miami, FL · Florida$141.23+$2.28
  6. Chicago, IL · Illinois$137.61−$1.34
  7. Manhattan, NY · New York$149.89+$10.94

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

Every other payment area

31654 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlaskaAlaska$157.47$81.35
AlabamaAlabama$119.24$56.69
ArkansasArkansas$117.72$56.32
ArizonaArizona$128.12$58.86
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$138.23$59.89
Chico, CACalifornia$137.82$59.48
El Centro, CACalifornia$137.84$59.50
Fresno, CACalifornia$137.82$59.48

31654 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.

$117.72

$157.47

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

View every state and territory as a table
31654 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$157.471
AL$119.241
AR$117.721
AZ$128.121
CA$137.82–$170.1629
CO$136.061
CT$139.341
DC$148.671
DE$130.081
FL$129.88–$141.233
GA$123.33–$133.572
GU$140.561
HI$140.561
IA$121.751
ID$122.481
IL$126.65–$137.614
IN$123.111
KS$121.321
KY$121.891
LA$121.75–$127.072
MA$135.42–$148.412
MD$132.34–$148.673
ME$123.13–$128.932
MI$124.76–$131.402
MN$130.561
MO$119.95–$127.383
MS$118.851
MT$131.261
NC$124.261
ND$128.691
NE$122.321
NH$134.051
NJ$140.98–$147.432
NM$125.401
NV$130.621
NY$125.92–$153.265
OH$124.241
OK$121.611
OR$129.65–$139.902
PA$124.37–$136.252
PR$132.091
RI$134.341
SC$124.451
SD$128.381
TN$121.871
TX$123.65–$135.578
UT$125.951
VA$128.61–$148.672
VI$132.091
VT$128.311
WA$135.12–$151.182
WI$124.851
WV$122.501
WY$130.141

See 31654 in every payment locality

How the 31654 rate is calculated

Each of 31654’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 · 31654

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.37

1.37 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense2.43

2.43 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.13

0.13 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

3.9300

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$131.27

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

The exact Baltimore area, MD inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

3,659

Code
31654
Physician work
1.37
Practice expense
2.43
Malpractice
0.13

GPCI2026.csv

60

Locality
Baltimore area, MD
Physician work
1.016
Practice expense
1.073
Malpractice
1.237
Office calculation for 31654 in Baltimore area, MD
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.37× 1.0161.3919
Practice expense2.43× 1.0732.6074
Malpractice0.13× 1.2370.1608
Total RVUs4.1601
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Baltimore area, MD$138.95

Office: (1.37 × 1.016 + 2.43 × 1.073 + 0.13 × 1.237) × $33.4009 = $138.95

Facility: (1.37 × 1.016 + 0.29 × 1.073 + 0.13 × 1.237) × $33.4009 = $62.26

Open 31654 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 31654

The CMS indicators that decide how 31654 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 31654

Bronchoscopy guidance, peripheral lesion localization

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global periodZZZAdd-on code: falls within the primary procedure’s global period.
Multiple procedures0No multiple-procedure reduction.
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.

How 31654 has changed in Baltimore area, MD

31654 · Office / nonfacility

$138.95

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $16.12 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $122.83 to $138.95 (13.1%).

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

    $122.83changed to$138.95

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.40 changed to 1.37
    • Practice expense RVU 2.04 changed to 2.43
    • Work GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.016
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.078 changed to 1.073
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.309 changed to 1.237

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $127.48changed to$122.83

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 2.07 changed to 2.04

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $125.40changed to$127.48

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $129.79changed to$125.40

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 2.06 changed to 2.07
    • Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.13
    • Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.020
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.087 changed to 1.078
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.311 changed to 1.309
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $135.21changed to$129.79

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 2.12 changed to 2.06
    • Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.12
    • Work GPCI 1.028 changed to 1.024
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.096 changed to 1.087
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.313 changed to 1.311

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $136.33changed to$135.21

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $134.87changed to$136.33

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 1.97 changed to 2.12
    • Work GPCI 1.026 changed to 1.028
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.095 changed to 1.096
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.304 changed to 1.313

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $136.54changed to$134.87

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 2.01 changed to 1.97
    • Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.11
    • Work GPCI 1.023 changed to 1.026
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.295 changed to 1.304

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $138.36changed to$136.54

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 2.06 changed to 2.01

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $138.20changed to$138.36

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.12
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.096 changed to 1.095
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.238 changed to 1.295

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $157.72changed to$138.20

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 2.57 changed to 2.06
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.097 changed to 1.096
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.181 changed to 1.238

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    No ratechanged to$157.72

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D, RVU14A, RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D, RVU15A, RVU15B, RVU15C, RVU15D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$138.95$62.26RVU26D
2026-07-01$138.95$62.26RVU26C
2026-04-01$138.95$62.26RVU26B
2026-01-01$138.95$62.26RVU26A
2025-10-01$122.83$66.69RVU25D
2025-07-01$122.83$66.69RVU25C
2025-04-01$122.83$66.69RVU25B
2025-01-01$122.83$66.69RVU25A
2024-10-01$127.48$68.63RVU24D
2024-07-01$127.48$68.63RVU24C
2024-04-01$127.48$68.63RVU24B
2024-03-09$127.48$68.63RVU24AR
2024-01-01$125.40$67.51RVU24A
2023-10-01$129.79$69.38RVU23D
2023-07-01$129.79$69.38RVU23C
2023-04-01$129.79$69.38RVU23B
2023-01-01$129.79$69.38RVU23A
2022-10-01$135.21$71.49RVU22D
2022-07-01$135.21$71.49RVU22C
2022-04-01$135.21$71.49RVU22B
2022-01-01$135.21$71.49RVU22A
2021-10-01$136.33$72.08RVU21D
2021-07-01$136.33$72.08RVU21C
2021-04-01$136.33$72.08RVU21B
2021-01-01$136.33$72.08RVU21A
2020-10-01$134.87$74.01RVU20D
2020-07-01$134.87$74.01RVU20C
2020-04-01$134.87$74.01RVU20B
2020-01-01$134.87$74.01RVU20A
2019-10-01$136.54$73.79RVU19D
2019-07-01$136.54$73.79RVU19C
2019-04-01$136.54$73.79RVU19B
2019-01-01$136.54$73.79RVU19A
2018-10-01$138.36$74.10RVU18D
2018-07-01$138.36$74.10RVU18C
2018-04-01$138.36$74.10RVU18B
2018-01-01$138.36$74.10RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$138.20$74.09RVU17D
2017-07-01$138.20$74.09RVU17C
2017-04-01$138.20$74.09RVU17B
2017-01-01$138.20$74.09RVU17A
2016-10-01$157.72$73.27RVU16D
2016-07-01$157.72$73.27RVU16C
2016-04-01$157.72$73.27RVU16B
2016-01-01$157.72$73.27RVU16A
2015-10-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU15D
2015-07-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU15C
2015-04-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU15B
2015-01-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU15A
2014-10-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU14D
2014-07-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU14C
2014-04-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU14B
2014-01-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU14A
2013-10-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU13D
2013-07-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU13C
2013-04-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU13B
2013-01-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU13AR

Price 31654 for an earlier date of service

Where the Baltimore area, MD rate applies

Baltimore area, MD is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 100 cities and communities in Maryland. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Baltimore
  • Aberdeen
  • Aberdeen Proving Ground
  • Abingdon
  • Annapolis
  • Annapolis Neck
  • Arbutus
  • Arden on the Severn

Browse all communities in Maryland

31654 billing questions

When is 31654 appropriate instead of 31652 or 31653?

Use 31654 for EBUS guidance of a peripheral pulmonary lesion. Codes 31652 and 31653 describe EBUS-guided sampling of mediastinal or hilar lymph nodes.

Can 31654 be reported by itself?

No. It is an add-on code and must be reported with a primary bronchoscopy procedure, such as an appropriate biopsy or aspiration service.

Can 31654 be paired with 31628 or 31629?

It may be paired with 31628 for transbronchial lung biopsy or 31629 for transbronchial needle aspiration when that procedure is performed on the peripheral lesion.

What documentation supports reporting 31654?

Document the peripheral pulmonary target and the use of endobronchial ultrasound to locate or guide the bronchoscopic work on that lesion.

Is 31654 reported once for each lesion?

The code covers EBUS guidance for peripheral lesion(s). Do not assume a separate unit for each lesion from the code description alone.

How does the add-on status affect payment?

CMS pays 31654 within the global period of the primary procedure, and it cannot be billed as a standalone 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 31654PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 3,659 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Baltimore area, MDGPCI2026.csv, line 60 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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