CPT code 31505: Laryngoscopy2026 Medicare rate & RVUs
Report an indirect diagnostic laryngoscopy for mirror-based examination of the larynx, such as evaluation of persistent hoarseness or suspected vocal-fold abnormality.
Medicare pays $88.51 for 31505 nationally in the office and $44.76 in a hospital or facility. Local office rates run $78.01–$118.97.
Medicare rate · 31505
Laryngoscopy
- Work RVUs
- 0.59
- Total RVUs
- 2.65
- Global days
- 000
National rate · 2026
$88.51
Office setting, before claim adjustments.
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Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
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On this page 10 sections
What 31505 covers
CPT 31505 covers an indirect diagnostic examination of the larynx, typically using a laryngeal mirror to view the vocal folds and surrounding structures. An otolaryngologist commonly performs the exam in an office or clinic when evaluating persistent hoarseness, voice change, throat symptoms, or a suspected laryngeal abnormality. It describes examination only, not biopsy, lesion removal, or another therapeutic procedure.
Report the code when the indirect examination is a distinct service, rather than an integral part of a more extensive laryngeal procedure. Document the indication, examination method, structures viewed, and findings. CMS assigns a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. When multiple procedures occur in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. Assistant-at-surgery payment is statutorily restricted; 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.
Where 31505 pays more and less
The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.
109 payment localities
$78.01 to $118.97
109 of 109 payment localities
31505 rates by state
Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.
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Local rates. Clear comparisons.
Hover or focus a tile to see its rate range. Select it to open the state’s fee schedule.
$78.01
$106.56
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 | $101.64 | 1 |
| AL | $79.19 | 1 |
| AR | $78.01 | 1 |
| AZ | $86.12 | 1 |
| CA | $94.14–$118.97 | 29 |
| CO | $92.49 | 1 |
| CT | $94.52 | 1 |
| DC | $101.67 | 1 |
| DE | $87.58 | 1 |
| FL | $86.76–$94.81 | 3 |
| GA | $81.78–$90.10 | 2 |
| GU | $96.63 | 1 |
| HI | $96.63 | 1 |
| IA | $81.45 | 1 |
| ID | $81.96 | 1 |
| IL | $84.05–$92.25 | 4 |
| IN | $82.46 | 1 |
| KS | $80.97 | 1 |
| KY | $80.94 | 1 |
| LA | $80.77–$84.91 | 2 |
| MA | $91.88–$101.96 | 2 |
| MD | $89.32–$101.67 | 3 |
| ME | $82.31–$87.05 | 2 |
| MI | $83.03–$87.79 | 2 |
| MN | $88.79 | 1 |
| MO | $79.28–$85.33 | 3 |
| MS | $78.66 | 1 |
| MT | $88.51 | 1 |
| NC | $83.22 | 1 |
| ND | $87.12 | 1 |
| NE | $81.94 | 1 |
| NH | $90.95 | 1 |
| NJ | $95.64–$100.55 | 2 |
| NM | $83.47 | 1 |
| NV | $88.19 | 1 |
| NY | $84.49–$104.34 | 5 |
| OH | $82.75 | 1 |
| OK | $80.88 | 1 |
| OR | $87.55–$95.61 | 2 |
| PA | $82.93–$92.04 | 2 |
| PR | $89.21 | 1 |
| RI | $90.83 | 1 |
| SC | $83.11 | 1 |
| SD | $86.96 | 1 |
| TN | $81.38 | 1 |
| TX | $82.36–$92.14 | 8 |
| UT | $84.29 | 1 |
| VA | $86.70–$101.67 | 2 |
| VI | $89.21 | 1 |
| VT | $86.69 | 1 |
| WA | $91.73–$104.16 | 2 |
| WI | $84.10 | 1 |
| WV | $80.81 | 1 |
| WY | $87.90 | 1 |
How the 31505 rate is calculated
Each of 31505’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 · 31505
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.59
0.59 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense1.99
1.99 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.07
0.07 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
2.6500
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$88.51
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 31505
The CMS indicators that decide how 31505 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 31505
Laryngoscopy
| 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 | 2 | Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 1 | Not paid (statutory restriction). |
| 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
31505 without 51 · national office
$88.51
Laryngoscopy
31505-51 · Second procedure: 50%
$44.26
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%).
31505 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 31510Laryngoscopy
- 31505 is an indirect diagnostic examination without biopsy. Choose 31510 when an indirect laryngoscopy includes biopsy.
- 31525Laryngoscopy
- 31505 is an indirect examination, typically using a mirror; 31525 describes diagnostic direct laryngoscopy.
- 31575Laryngoscopy
- 31505 is mirror-based indirect laryngoscopy. 31575 is the diagnostic examination performed with a flexible fiberoptic scope.
31505 billing questions
When should 31505 be chosen over 31525?
Use 31505 for an indirect examination, typically with a laryngeal mirror. Use 31525 when the diagnostic examination is performed by direct laryngoscopy.
Can 31505 be reported with a biopsy code?
When a biopsy is performed as part of the laryngoscopy, select the procedure code describing that service, such as 31510 for indirect laryngoscopy with biopsy. Do not separately report 31505 for an examination integral to the biopsy procedure.
How does 31505 differ from flexible laryngoscopy?
31505 describes indirect mirror examination. Use 31575 for diagnostic laryngoscopy performed with a flexible fiberoptic scope.
Does 31505 have a global period?
It has a 0-day global period. Same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included.
Should modifier 50 be appended for both sides?
No. CMS indicates that bilateral adjustment does not apply and modifier 50 is inappropriate for this code.
How are multiple procedures in the same session paid?
CMS pays the highest-valued procedure in full and applies the standard multiple-procedure reduction to the other procedures in that session.
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
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