Billing code 31561: ArytenoidectomyMedicare rate & RVUs in Florida
Reports operative direct laryngoscopy with arytenoid cartilage removal using an operating microscope or telescope, commonly to widen the laryngeal airway.
CMS doesn’t publish an office rate for 31561 in Florida.
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 9 sections
What 31561 covers
An otolaryngologist performs an operative direct examination of the larynx and removes arytenoid cartilage tissue while viewing through an operating microscope or telescope. The procedure is commonly used to enlarge the posterior glottic airway in patients with bilateral vocal-fold immobility or posterior glottic narrowing, and is typically performed in an operating room.
Report 31561 when an arytenoidectomy is performed with the specified optical equipment; the operative note should describe the indication, side and extent of removal, and use of the microscope or telescope. Choose 31560 for arytenoidectomy without that equipment. 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. Do not append modifier 50. 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.
Where 31561 pays more and less in Florida
The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Lauderdale | Unavailable | $311.69 |
| Miami | Unavailable | $333.97 |
| Rest Of Florida | Unavailable | $299.36 |
How the 31561 rate is calculated
Each of 31561’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 · 31561
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work5.84
5.84 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense1.93
1.93 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.85
0.85 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
8.6200
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$287.92
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 31561
The CMS indicators that decide how 31561 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 31561
Arytenoidectomy
| 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) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| 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
31561 without 51 · national facility
$287.92
Arytenoidectomy
31561-51 · Second procedure: 50%
$143.96
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%).
31561 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
5 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 31560Operative laryngoscopy
- Both include operative laryngoscopy with arytenoidectomy. The distinguishing feature for 31561 is use of an operating microscope or telescope.
- 31535Laryngeal biopsy
- 31535 is for operative laryngoscopy with biopsy. Use 31561 when arytenoid cartilage is removed with the specified optical equipment.
- 31540Laryngeal excision
- 31540 describes excision of a laryngeal tumor; 31561 describes arytenoidectomy. Select based on the operative target and service performed.
- 31545Vocal cord excision
- 31545 addresses removal of a vocal-cord lesion. It is not the code for removal of arytenoid cartilage.
31561 billing questions
How does 31561 differ from 31560?
Both describe operative laryngoscopy with arytenoidectomy. Use 31561 when an operating microscope or telescope is used; 31560 describes the procedure without that equipment.
What documentation supports 31561?
The operative report should establish that arytenoid cartilage was removed and that an operating microscope or telescope was used. Include the indication and the side and extent of the procedure.
Can the laryngoscopic examination be billed separately?
The direct laryngoscopic view is how the arytenoidectomy is performed. When related endoscopies are performed together, CMS endoscopy-family pricing applies.
Should modifier 50 be reported for bilateral work?
No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate for this code, so do not append modifier 50.
When is assistant-at-surgery payment available?
CMS allows assistant-at-surgery payment only when medical necessity is documented. Co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.
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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