Billing code 31032: Maxillary sinus surgeryMedicare rate & RVUs in Ohio
Open maxillary sinus surgery with removal of an antrochoanal polyp, reported when the surgeon uses a Caldwell-Luc approach rather than an endoscopic route.
CMS doesn’t publish an office rate for 31032 in Ohio.
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 31032 covers
An otolaryngologist performs an open Caldwell-Luc operation to enter the maxillary sinus and remove an antrochoanal polyp. These polyps arise in the maxillary sinus and may extend toward the nasal cavity or choana. The surgeon documents the maxillary sinus approach and the polyp removal; this is distinct from transnasal endoscopic sinus surgery. The procedure is generally performed in a surgical facility, consistent with Medicare’s 2024 claims showing facility services for this code.
Select this code when the operative report supports the open radical maxillary sinus approach and removal of the polyp. Medicare treats it as major surgery with a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and related postoperative care during that period. For bilateral surgery reported with modifier 50, payment is at 150%. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and others at 50%. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this code; 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.
31032 in Ohio
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio | Unavailable | $525.68 |
How the 31032 rate is calculated
Each of 31032’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 · 31032
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
Work 6.52Practice expense 9.07Malpractice 0.93
All indexes start at 1.000 (the national rate). Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 31032
31032 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 31032
Maxillary sinus surgery
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 090 | Major surgery: the day before, the day of, and 90 days after are included. |
| Multiple procedures | 2 | Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 1 | Bilateral with modifier 50 pays 150% of the fee schedule amount. |
| 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. |
| Split (54/55/56) | 0.10/0.76/0.14 | Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care. |
Global surgery period · 31032
Maxillary sinus surgery
90-day global period ends
Dec 30, 2026
Covers Sep 30, 2026 through Dec 30, 2026 (92 days, including the day before surgery).
Visit on Oct 31, 2026
Day 30 of the 90-day post-op period: related follow-up care is included in the surgical payment.
Pre-op dayGlobal period
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 50 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
31032 without 50 · national facility
$551.78
Maxillary sinus surgery
31032-50 · Bilateral: 150%
$827.67
Both sides on one line with modifier 50 are paid at 150% of the fee schedule amount (subject to multiple-procedure rules with other procedures).
31032 compared with similar codes
Compare codes
31032 vs 31030 vs 31267 vs 31256: national Medicare rates
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
How to choose
- 31030Sinus exploration
- Both use a radical Caldwell-Luc approach. The distinction is whether an antrochoanal polyp is removed: removal supports 31032; no polyp removal supports 31030.
- 31267Sinus endoscopy
- 31267 is performed endoscopically through the nasal route and includes tissue removal from the maxillary sinus. 31032 describes the open Caldwell-Luc approach with polyp removal.
- 31256Maxillary antrostomy
- 31256 describes endoscopic maxillary antrostomy without tissue removal. 31032 is an open Caldwell-Luc operation that includes removal of an antrochoanal polyp.
31032 billing questions
How does this differ from 31030?
Both describe a radical Caldwell-Luc approach to the maxillary sinus. Use 31032 when the surgeon also removes an antrochoanal polyp; 31030 is the corresponding procedure without polyp removal.
When is 31267 a better fit?
31267 describes endoscopic maxillary antrostomy with tissue removal. Use 31032 for the open Caldwell-Luc approach with polyp removal, not an endoscopic route.
What documentation supports 31032?
The operative report should identify the open Caldwell-Luc approach, the maxillary sinus treated, and removal of an antrochoanal polyp.
How is bilateral surgery reported?
For bilateral procedures, report modifier 50; Medicare payment is at 150%.
Can an assistant or co-surgeon be billed?
Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this code. 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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