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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesEndoscopy Procedures on the LarynxCPT cpt-31536-direct-laryngoscopy-with-biopsy-larynx
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    CPT 31536: Direct Laryngoscopy with Biopsy of Larynx

    Medicare pays $182 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 31536 describes direct laryngoscopy with biopsy of the larynx (voice box), a surgical procedure using a laryngoscope and operating telescope or microscope to visualize the larynx and obtain tissue samples for pathological examination; service type: diagnostic surgical biopsy; typical site of service: operating room or procedure suite in an ambulatory surgical center or hospital setting.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use Disorders, Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use Disorders, Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use Disorders.

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 58-year-old patient with progressive hoarseness and throat discomfort is referred to an otolaryngologist after flexible nasolaryngoscopy reveals a suspicious lesion on the true vocal cord. The patient is scheduled for an operative direct laryngoscopy with biopsy under general anesthesia to obtain tissue for histopathologic diagnosis. Preoperative workflow includes history and physical, consent for biopsy and possible additional procedures (e.g., excision) depending on frozen section results, anesthesia evaluation, and pre-op imaging review if indicated. Intraoperative steps include direct laryngoscopy with a laryngoscope and use of an operating microscope or telescopic visualization to inspect the larynx, targeted biopsy of suspicious mucosal lesions, hemostasis, and specimen handling (labeling and submission to pathology). Postoperative workflow includes recovery from anesthesia, voice rest instructions, pathology follow-up, and scheduling of definitive treatment if malignancy is confirmed. Typical site of service is an operating room or ambulatory surgery center equipped for general anesthesia and microscopic visualization.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    31575Laryngoscopy, flexible or rigid; diagnostic, with or without collection of specimen(s)May be used for in-office diagnostic laryngoscopy prior to operative direct laryngoscopy and biopsy.
    31231Nasal/sinus endoscopy, diagnostic, unilateral or bilateralMay be performed concurrently if nasal access or assessment is required (less common).
    31548Laryngoscopy, direct; with removal of foreign body(s)Performed when an unexpected foreign body is encountered during direct laryngoscopy.
    31360Excision of lesion of hypopharynx or larynx, direct laryngoscopy; excision or stripping of lesionUsed for larger excisions or definitive tumor removal beyond simple biopsy.
    88305Level IV surgical pathology, gross and microscopic examinationPathology code commonly billed by the laboratory for biopsy specimen processing and diagnostic interpretation.

    Related Modifiers

    12 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    26Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
    51Modifier –51 (Multiple Procedures) is used when the same provider performs multiple procedures in the same session to identify secondary, non‑exempt procedures and indicate payment reduction logic…- Use modifier -51 when the same provider performs multiple distinct procedures during the same patient encounter: report the highest‑valued procedure first (no modifier) and append -51 to…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
    73Modifier 73 indicates a facility-level outpatient hospital or ASC procedure that was discontinued after the patient was prepared and taken to the procedure/operating room but before any anesthesia…- When to use: Apply CPT modifier 73 on the FACILITY (outpatient hospital or ASC) claim when the patient has been fully prepared and physically taken into the procedure/operating room but the…
    74Modifier ‑74 indicates an outpatient hospital or ASC procedure that was discontinued after anesthesia was administered and after the procedure had begun. Use this modifier when anesthesia (local,…- Use modifier -74 when a procedure in an outpatient hospital or ASC setting is terminated after anesthesia has been administered and after the procedure has commenced (for example, after incision,…
    78CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…

    Showing 1–10 of 12

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    207V00000XObstetrics & Gynecology PhysicianAn obstetrician/gynecologist possesses special knowledge, skills and professional capability in the medical and surgical care of the female reproducti…
    207L00000XAnesthesiology PhysicianAn anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
    2279E0002XEmergency Care Registered Respiratory TherapistThe immediate availability of diagnostic and therapeutic cardiopulmonary services in the assessment and management of trauma victims, patients requiri…
    2471V0106XVascular-Interventional Technology Radiologic TechnologistA radiologic technologist who specializes in vascular interventional and is appropriately educated and trained, consistent with nationally recognized …
    246ZC0007XSurgical AssistantA surgical assistant is a skilled practitioner who has undergone formalized education and training as a surgical assistant. The surgical assistant per…
    207QA0505XAdult Medicine PhysicianThe NUCC recommends this code not be used. Choose a more appropriate code.
    2279S1500XSNF/Subacute Care Registered Respiratory TherapistCare of residents in a long-term care environment. Respiratory modalities delivered include those similar in the general care and critical care areas…
    207PE0005XUndersea and Hyperbaric Medicine (Emergency Medicine) PhysicianA specialist who treats decompression illness and diving accident cases and uses hyperbaric oxygen therapy to treat such conditions as carbon monoxide…

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    26 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    C32.0Malignant neoplasm of glottis
    C32.1Malignant neoplasm of supraglottis
    C32.2Malignant neoplasm of subglottis
    C32.3Malignant neoplasm of laryngeal cartilage
    C32.8Malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of larynx
    C32.9Malignant neoplasm of larynx, unspecified
    J02.9Acute pharyngitis, unspecified
    J03.90Acute tonsillitis, unspecified
    J34.2Deviated nasal septum
    J35.1Hypertrophy of tonsils

    Showing 1–10 of 26

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Anesthesiology1 / 2

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use DisordersPremera Bluecross2026-07-01
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use DisordersPremera Bluecross2026-07-01
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use DisordersPremera Bluecross2026-07-01
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use DisordersPremera Bluecross2026-07-01
    Elective Inpatient Services (for Idaho Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-06-01
    Sites of Servicepriority health2026-06-01
    Coverage for Ambulatory Surgery Unit (ASU)/Outpatient Facility and Anesthesia for Dental Servicesuniverahealthcare2026-05-21
    Mm_0579_Coveragepositioncriteria_Anesthesia_Services_Selected_Nerve_BlocksCigna2026-05-15
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric DisordersBlue Cross Blue Shield - North Carolina2026-04-01
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric DisordersBlue Cross Blue Shield - North Carolina2026-04-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-31505-LARYNGOSCOPY-MIRROR-DIAGNOSTIC

    CPT 31505: Laryngeal Mirror Examination (Diagnostic Laryngoscopy)

    CPT-31510-DIAGNOSTIC-LARYNGOSCOPY-WITH-BIOPSY

    CPT 31510: Direct Laryngoscopy with Biopsy

    CPT-31511-LARYNGEAL-MIRROR-EXAM-FOREIGN-BODY-REMOVAL

    CPT 31511: Laryngeal Mirror Examination with Foreign Body Removal

    CPT-31512-LARYNGOSCOPY-WITH-LESION-EXCISION

    CPT 31512: Direct Laryngoscopy with Removal of Laryngeal Lesion

    CPT-31513-LARYNGEAL-EXAM-VOCAL-CORD-INJECTION

    CPT 31513: Laryngoscopy with Vocal Cord Injection

    CPT-31515-DIRECT-LARYNGOSCOPY-ASPIRATION-LARYNX-TRACHEA

    CPT 31515: Direct Laryngoscopy with Aspiration, Optional Tracheoscopy

    CPT-31520-INFANT-DIAGNOSTIC-DIRECT-LARYNGOSCOPY-TRACHEOSCOPY

    CPT 31520: Direct Laryngoscopy with/without Tracheoscopy, Neonate

    CPT-31525-DIRECT-LARYNGOSCOPY-LARYNX-TRACHEOSCOPY-OPTIONAL

    CPT 31525: Direct Laryngoscopy with/without Tracheoscopy, Diagnostic

    CPT-31526-DIRECT-LARYNGOSCOPY-OPERATING-TELESCOPE-MICROSCOPE-DIAGNOSTIC

    CPT 31526: Direct Laryngoscopy with Telescope or Microscope, Diagnostic

    CPT-31527-DIRECT-LARYNGOSCOPY-OBTURATOR-INSERTION

    CPT 31527: Direct Laryngoscopy with Obturator and Optional Tracheoscopy

    Showing 1–10 of 35

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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