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    OpenPayerBilling CodesEndoscopy Procedures on the LarynxCPT cpt-31577-flexible-laryngoscopy-with-foreign-body-removal
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    CPT 31577: Flexible Laryngoscopy with Foreign Body Removal

    Medicare pays $289 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 31577 describes a diagnostic and therapeutic procedure in which a provider uses a flexible laryngoscope to inspect the larynx (voice box) for abnormalities and removes foreign bodies found within the larynx; service type: flexible diagnostic/operative laryngoscopy with foreign body removal; typical site of service: outpatient clinic, ambulatory surgical center, or emergency department airway suite.

    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 typical patient is an adult or pediatric patient who presents to an outpatient otolaryngology clinic or the hospital emergency department with symptoms such as throat pain, foreign body sensation, dysphonia, cough, stridor, or acute airway compromise after ingestion or aspiration of a small object. The provider performs a flexible laryngoscopy using a flexible fiberoptic laryngoscope to inspect the larynx, vocal folds, subglottic area, and hypopharynx for abnormalities or retained foreign bodies. If a foreign body is identified and accessible, the provider removes it during the same encounter using flexible endoscopic instruments. The procedure is commonly performed under topical anesthesia with or without conscious sedation in an ambulatory clinic, endoscopy suite, or operating room depending on patient stability, cooperation, and airway risk. Typical workflow steps: initial evaluation and airway assessment, topical anesthesia and preparation, flexible laryngoscopy inspection, endoscopic retrieval of foreign body if present, post-procedure airway reassessment, and documentation of findings and any immediate complications. Common payors encountered for billing include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, BUCA, and Medicare.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    31575Laryngoscopy, flexible; diagnostic, with or without stroboscopyOften performed as the initial diagnostic flexible laryngoscopy; 31577 is used when a foreign body is removed during the procedure.
    31620Bronchoscopy, flexible, diagnostic, with or without cell washingPerformed when suspected lower airway aspiration requires bronchoscopic inspection after laryngeal evaluation.
    31505Laryngoscopy, direct, with or without tracheoscopy; diagnostic, with or without biopsyUsed when rigid/direct laryngoscopy is required for removal of larger or impacted laryngeal foreign bodies not retrievable via flexible scope.
    31231Nasopharyngoscopy, flexible; diagnostic, with or without collection of specimen(s) by brushing or washingPerformed when concurrent nasopharyngeal evaluation is needed during flexible laryngoscopy encounters.
    99283Emergency department visit, intermediateCommon E/M code for emergency department evaluation of patients presenting with airway foreign body symptoms prior to performing 31577.

    Related Modifiers

    13 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    23Modifier -23 (Unusual Anesthesia) is used on anesthesia service CPT codes when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia…- Use modifier -23 only on anesthesia CPT codes (00100–01999) when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia because of…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    80CPT® Modifier 80 (Assistant Surgeon) is appended to a surgical CPT code when a physician (MD or DO) provides full, continuous assistance throughout the operative procedure. It is intended only for…- Use CPT Modifier -80 when a physician (MD or DO) serves as an assistant surgeon and provides full, continuous assistance throughout the entire operative procedure; append -80 to the surgical CPT…

    Showing 1–10 of 13

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    207Y00000XOtolaryngology PhysicianAn otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon provides comprehensive medical and surgical care for patients with diseases and disorders that affect the ea…
    208000000XPediatrics PhysicianA pediatrician is concerned with the physical, emotional and social health of children from birth to young adulthood. Care encompasses a broad spectru…
    2084P0800XPsychiatry PhysicianA Psychiatrist specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental disorders, emotional disorders, psychotic disorders, mood disorders, …
    207L00000XAnesthesiology PhysicianAn anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
    3104A0630XAssisted Living Facility (Behavioral Disturbances)A facility providing supportive services to individuals who can function independently in most areas of activity, but exhibit abnormal behavioral resp…
    332BP3500XParenteral & Enteral Nutrition Supplies (DME)Suppliers · Durable Medical Equipment & Medical Supplies
    246YR1600XRegistered Record AdministratorNone
    156FX1101XOphthalmic AssistantAn ophthalmic assistant assists ophthalmologists by performing duties including, but not limited to, patient charting, patient education, and basic ey…

    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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