CPT code 69706: Eustachian tube dilation, bilateral, endoscopic2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in North Carolina
Reports endoscopic dilation of both eustachian tubes, typically by balloon, to treat obstructive eustachian tube dysfunction.
In North Carolina, Medicare pays $2,485.87 for 69706 in the office and $195.07 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 69706 nationwide
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
On this page 11 sections
What 69706 covers
An otolaryngologist reaches the eustachian tube openings through the nose using a nasopharyngoscope, then dilates both tubes, commonly with a balloon catheter. The procedure is used for obstructive eustachian tube dysfunction, which can cause persistent ear pressure, trouble equalizing pressure, or middle-ear ventilation problems. It may be performed in an office-based procedure setting or a facility, depending on the patient and practice setup.
Report 69706 when both eustachian tubes are surgically dilated during the session; use the unilateral code when only one side is treated. The operative note should identify the treated sides, the dilation performed, and the clinical findings supporting treatment. The bilateral service is already reflected in the code, so modifier 50 does not increase payment. This minor procedure has a 0-day global period, including same-day preoperative and postoperative care. When related endoscopies are performed together, CMS endoscopy family pricing applies. Assistant-at-surgery payment requires documented medical necessity; 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 North Carolina compares for 69706
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 69706 runs from $2,298.25 in Arkansas to $3,772.46 in San Benito County, CA. North Carolina pays $2,485.87. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- North Carolina · this page$2,485.87
- Los Angeles, CA · California$3,117.50+$631.63
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$3,115.79+$629.92
- Miami, FL · Florida$2,793.93+$308.06
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$2,700.15+$214.28
- Manhattan, NY · New York$3,086.63+$600.76
- Alaska · Alaska$2,883.80+$397.93
Other areas in North Carolina first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $2,339.30 | $190.91 |
| ArkansasArkansas | $2,298.25 | $189.15 |
| ArizonaArizona | $2,580.28 | $201.09 |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $2,895.69 | $204.68 |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $2,893.94 | $202.94 |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $2,894.05 | $203.04 |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $2,893.94 | $202.94 |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $2,893.94 | $202.94 |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $2,893.94 | $202.94 |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $2,893.94 | $202.94 |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $2,893.94 | $202.94 |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $3,455.16 | $219.07 |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $3,112.37 | $210.20 |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $2,893.94 | $202.94 |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $2,893.94 | $202.94 |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $2,900.44 | $209.43 |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $3,064.20 | $208.69 |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $3,053.50 | $207.81 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $3,146.04 | $209.51 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $3,688.78 | $226.81 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $3,688.10 | $226.13 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $3,772.46 | $231.92 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $3,769.68 | $229.14 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $3,001.52 | $204.93 |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $3,192.21 | $209.02 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $3,070.59 | $207.71 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $3,225.98 | $210.87 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $2,893.94 | $202.94 |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $3,454.18 | $218.09 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $2,893.94 | $202.94 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $2,893.94 | $202.94 |
| ColoradoColorado | $2,818.10 | $205.67 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $2,860.34 | $215.98 |
| DelawareDelaware | $2,629.37 | $203.53 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $2,709.43 | $222.21 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $2,560.72 | $213.45 |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $2,705.19 | $210.60 |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $2,394.38 | $204.25 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $2,995.02 | $203.34 |
| IowaIowa | $2,435.98 | $189.38 |
| IdahoIdaho | $2,450.02 | $191.14 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $2,480.90 | $222.02 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $2,454.35 | $212.66 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $2,744.71 | $223.11 |
| IndianaIndiana | $2,467.79 | $191.73 |
| KansasKansas | $2,410.61 | $191.02 |
| KentuckyKentucky | $2,381.32 | $198.56 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $2,515.84 | $205.40 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $2,372.18 | $199.23 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $3,149.54 | $217.91 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $2,791.46 | $206.03 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $2,850.31 | $215.78 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $2,690.48 | $205.72 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $2,453.00 | $194.13 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $2,630.81 | $197.60 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $2,586.90 | $217.54 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $2,445.65 | $203.96 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $2,719.16 | $192.65 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $2,507.65 | $202.12 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $2,540.67 | $203.23 |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $2,314.96 | $198.49 |
| MississippiMississippi | $2,307.75 | $193.73 |
| MontanaMontana | $2,660.68 | $205.38 |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $2,648.81 | $193.51 |
| NebraskaNebraska | $2,455.62 | $189.38 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $2,760.78 | $204.81 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $3,071.11 | $222.96 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $2,898.38 | $217.19 |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $2,457.10 | $205.59 |
| NevadaNevada | $2,659.87 | $202.12 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $3,159.61 | $240.26 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $2,908.84 | $220.29 |
| Queens, NYNew York | $3,133.78 | $231.62 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $2,529.68 | $197.14 |
| OhioOhio | $2,443.23 | $201.54 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $2,388.56 | $195.98 |
| Portland, OROregon | $2,935.50 | $207.66 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $2,644.76 | $199.28 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $2,769.66 | $213.69 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $2,454.47 | $200.51 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $2,687.93 | $205.63 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $2,743.75 | $207.42 |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $2,467.58 | $198.88 |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $2,647.41 | $192.11 |
| TennesseeTennessee | $2,423.78 | $191.91 |
| Austin, TXTexas | $2,803.81 | $206.10 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $2,434.14 | $199.81 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $2,634.90 | $201.70 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $2,649.11 | $203.63 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $2,624.36 | $203.43 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $2,640.87 | $202.76 |
| Houston, TXTexas | $2,651.85 | $213.74 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $2,531.18 | $201.10 |
| UtahUtah | $2,508.57 | $200.59 |
| VirginiaVirginia | $2,612.29 | $198.73 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $2,687.93 | $205.63 |
| VermontVermont | $2,625.80 | $195.05 |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $2,790.32 | $204.89 |
| King County, WAWashington | $3,231.89 | $219.23 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $2,541.78 | $189.60 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $2,341.63 | $207.97 |
| WyomingWyoming | $2,655.51 | $200.20 |
69706 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.
$2,298.25
$3,333.20
Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.
View every state and territory as a table
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $2,883.80 | 1 |
| AL | $2,339.30 | 1 |
| AR | $2,298.25 | 1 |
| AZ | $2,580.28 | 1 |
| CA | $2,893.94–$3,772.46 | 29 |
| CO | $2,818.10 | 1 |
| CT | $2,860.34 | 1 |
| DC | $3,115.79 | 1 |
| DE | $2,629.37 | 1 |
| FL | $2,560.72–$2,793.93 | 3 |
| GA | $2,394.38–$2,705.19 | 2 |
| GU | $2,995.02 | 1 |
| HI | $2,995.02 | 1 |
| IA | $2,435.98 | 1 |
| ID | $2,450.02 | 1 |
| IL | $2,454.35–$2,744.71 | 4 |
| IN | $2,467.79 | 1 |
| KS | $2,410.61 | 1 |
| KY | $2,381.32 | 1 |
| LA | $2,372.18–$2,515.84 | 2 |
| MA | $2,791.46–$3,149.54 | 2 |
| MD | $2,690.48–$3,115.79 | 3 |
| ME | $2,453.00–$2,630.81 | 2 |
| MI | $2,445.65–$2,586.90 | 2 |
| MN | $2,719.16 | 1 |
| MO | $2,314.96–$2,540.67 | 3 |
| MS | $2,307.75 | 1 |
| MT | $2,660.68 | 1 |
| NC | $2,485.87 | 1 |
| ND | $2,648.81 | 1 |
| NE | $2,455.62 | 1 |
| NH | $2,760.78 | 1 |
| NJ | $2,898.38–$3,071.11 | 2 |
| NM | $2,457.10 | 1 |
| NV | $2,659.87 | 1 |
| NY | $2,529.68–$3,159.61 | 5 |
| OH | $2,443.23 | 1 |
| OK | $2,388.56 | 1 |
| OR | $2,644.76–$2,935.50 | 2 |
| PA | $2,454.47–$2,769.66 | 2 |
| PR | $2,687.93 | 1 |
| RI | $2,743.75 | 1 |
| SC | $2,467.58 | 1 |
| SD | $2,647.41 | 1 |
| TN | $2,423.78 | 1 |
| TX | $2,434.14–$2,803.81 | 8 |
| UT | $2,508.57 | 1 |
| VA | $2,612.29–$3,115.79 | 2 |
| VI | $2,687.93 | 1 |
| VT | $2,625.80 | 1 |
| WA | $2,790.32–$3,231.89 | 2 |
| WI | $2,541.78 | 1 |
| WV | $2,341.63 | 1 |
| WY | $2,655.51 | 1 |
How the 69706 rate is calculated
Each of 69706’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 · 69706
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work4.16
4.16 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense74.90
74.90 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.60
0.60 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
79.6600
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$2,660.72
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact North Carolina inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
7,647
- Code
- 69706
- Physician work
- 4.16
- Practice expense
- 74.90
- Malpractice
- 0.60
GPCI2026.csv
83
- Locality
- North Carolina
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.933
- Malpractice
- 0.639
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 4.16 | × 1.000 | 4.1600 |
| Practice expense | 74.90 | × 0.933 | 69.8817 |
| Malpractice | 0.60 | × 0.639 | 0.3834 |
| Total RVUs | 74.4251 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, North Carolina$2485.87
Office: (4.16 × 1 + 74.9 × 0.933 + 0.6 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $2485.87
Facility: (4.16 × 1 + 1.39 × 0.933 + 0.6 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $195.07
Payment rules and modifiers for 69706
The CMS indicators that decide how 69706 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 69706
Eustachian tube dilation, bilateral, endoscopic
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 000 | Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is included. |
| Multiple procedures | 3 | Endoscopy family rules apply. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 2 | Already bilateral by definition: paid once at 100%. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 0 | Not paid without supporting documentation. |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 0 | Physician service: no professional/technical split. |
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 51 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
69706 without 51 · national office
$2,660.72
Eustachian tube dilation, bilateral, endoscopic
69706-51 · Second procedure: 50%
$1,330.36
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%).
How 69706 has changed in North Carolina
69706 · Office / nonfacility
$2485.87
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $105.11 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $2380.76 to $2485.87 (4.4%).
It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.
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
January 1, 2026
RVU26A
$2380.76changed to$2485.87
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 4.27 changed to 4.16
- Practice expense RVU 74.42 changed to 74.90
- Malpractice RVU 0.63 changed to 0.60
- Practice expense GPCI 0.926 changed to 0.933
- Malpractice GPCI 0.665 changed to 0.639
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$2570.02changed to$2380.76
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 78.32 changed to 74.42
- Malpractice RVU 0.62 changed to 0.63
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$2528.07changed to$2570.02
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$2707.10changed to$2528.07
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 81.09 changed to 78.32
- Malpractice RVU 0.60 changed to 0.62
- Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.926
- Malpractice GPCI 0.742 changed to 0.665
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$2826.43changed to$2707.10
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 82.88 changed to 81.09
- Practice expense GPCI 0.928 changed to 0.927
- Malpractice GPCI 0.819 changed to 0.742
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$2983.95changed to$2826.43
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 87.03 changed to 82.88
- Malpractice RVU 0.59 changed to 0.60
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
No ratechanged to$2983.95
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
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, RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D, RVU19A, RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D, RVU20A, RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $2,485.87 | $195.07 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $2,485.87 | $195.07 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $2,485.87 | $195.07 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $2,485.87 | $195.07 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $2,380.76 | $223.26 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $2,380.76 | $223.26 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $2,380.76 | $223.26 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $2,380.76 | $223.26 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $2,570.02 | $228.61 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $2,570.02 | $228.61 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $2,570.02 | $228.61 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $2,570.02 | $228.61 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $2,528.07 | $224.88 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $2,707.10 | $233.92 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $2,707.10 | $233.92 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $2,707.10 | $233.92 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $2,707.10 | $233.92 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $2,826.43 | $237.67 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $2,826.43 | $237.67 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $2,826.43 | $237.67 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $2,826.43 | $237.67 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $2,983.95 | $236.44 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $2,983.95 | $236.44 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $2,983.95 | $236.44 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $2,983.95 | $236.44 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU13AR |
Where the North Carolina rate applies
North Carolina is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 785 cities and communities in North Carolina. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Aberdeen
- Advance
- Ahoskie
- Alamance
- Albemarle
- Alexis
- Alliance
- Altamahaw
69706 billing questions
When should 69706 be used instead of 69705?
Use 69706 when both eustachian tubes are surgically dilated in the session. Use 69705 when dilation is performed on one side only.
Should modifier 50 be appended for bilateral treatment?
No. 69706 is already priced as a bilateral service, and modifier 50 does not increase payment.
Can the nasopharyngoscopy used to guide dilation be reported separately?
The endoscopic approach is part of the surgical dilation service. Do not separately report a diagnostic scope for the visualization used to perform that same dilation.
What documentation supports reporting 69706?
Document the obstructive eustachian tube condition, the clinical findings supporting treatment, and that dilation was performed on both sides.
What happens when another related endoscopy is performed in the same session?
CMS endoscopy family pricing applies when related endoscopies are performed together. The claim is subject to that family pricing rather than treating each related endoscopy as an entirely independent procedure.
Can an assistant surgeon be reported?
Assistant-at-surgery payment is available only when medical necessity is documented. Co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted for this code.
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
Fee sheets
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