CPT 31725: Fiberoptic-Guided Tracheobronchial Suctioning

Medicare pays $72 on average nationally for this procedure.

CPT code 31725 describes bedside fiberoptic-guided tracheobronchial suctioning in which a provider uses a fiberscope to introduce a suction catheter and remove excess secretions or aspirates from the tracheobronchial tree; this is an invasive airway clearance procedure typically performed as a diagnostic/therapeutic bedside respiratory procedure in the intensive care unit, emergency department, or inpatient ward under direct visualization.

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CPT 31725: Fiberoptic-Guided Tracheobronchial Suctioning

Medicare pays $72 on average nationally for this procedure.

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Get alerted when payer policies referencing 31725 are released or updated.

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Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A typical patient is an adult admitted to an acute care hospital with copious tracheobronchial secretions causing airway obstruction or impaired ventilation. The patient may be intubated or have a tracheostomy and is experiencing respiratory distress, hypoxemia, retained secretions, or difficulty weaning from mechanical ventilation. The bedside team (pulmonologist, critical care physician, or otolaryngologist) performs tracheobronchial suctioning via flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope introduced through the endotracheal tube or tracheostomy tube to visualize the airways and remove obstructing secretions or mucus plugs.

The clinical workflow includes pre-procedure assessment (vital signs, oxygenation, coagulation status), informed consent when feasible, equipment setup (sterile suction catheter, flexible fiberscope, suction canister), administration of supplemental oxygen and suctioning under visualization, and post-procedure monitoring for oxygenation, bleeding, or bronchospasm. Documentation includes the indication, technique (fiberoptic-guided suctioning), findings, amount/character of secretions removed, patient tolerance, and any complications.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`31603`	Endoscopy, trachea, direct, rigid or flexible; diagnostic, with or without collection of specimen(s) by brushing or washing	May be performed when diagnostic inspection or sampling of trachea is needed in addition to suctioning.
`31635`	Bronchoscopy, rigid or flexible, with biopsy(s)	Performed when tissue sampling is required after visualizing abnormalities during fiberoptic airway inspection.
`31622`	Bronchoscopy, flexible, diagnostic, including fluoroscopic guidance, when performed	Often performed before or after suctioning for diagnostic airway visualization and evaluation.
`31500`	Intubation, endotracheal, emergency procedure	May precede `31725` when airway protection or controlled airway access is required for suctioning.
`31502`	Intubation, endotracheal, planned; routine	Performed prior to fiberoptic-guided suctioning in controlled settings when airway secured electively.
`94002`	Ventilator management, initiation of mechanical ventilator support	Related when suctioning is part of airway management in mechanically ventilated patients; ventilator management codes describe separate critical care services.

Related Modifiers

7 rows

Modifier	Description	When to Use
22	Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…	- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
23	Modifier -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…
26	Modifier 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…
52	Modifier ‑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…
53	Modifier 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…
57	CPT® modifier -57 (“Decision for Surgery”) is appended to an Evaluation and Management (E/M) service when that encounter results in the initial decision to perform a major surgery (a procedure with a…	- Use modifier 57 when an E/M service provided by the same provider (or same tax ID) on the day of or the day before a major surgical procedure (90‑day global period) results in the initial decision…
59	Modifier 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…

Related Provider Taxonomies

8 rows

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
208600000X	Surgery Physician	A general surgeon has expertise related to the diagnosis - preoperative, operative and postoperative management - and management of complications of s…
1835C0205X	Critical Care Pharmacist	A licensed pharmacist who has demonstrated specialized knowledge and skill in the delivery of patient care services by pharmacists, as integral member…
152WP0200X	Pediatric Optometrist	Optometrists who work in Pediatrics are concerned with the prevention, development, diagnosis, and treatment of visual problems in children.
1041C0700X	Clinical Social Worker	A social worker who holds a master's or doctoral degree in social work from an accredited school of social work in addition to at least two years of p…
126800000X	Dental Assistant	An individual who may or may not have completed an accredited dental assisting education program and who aids the dentist in providing patient care se…
103TP2700X	Deactivated - Psychologist Psychotherapy
1835S0206X	Solid Organ Transplant Pharmacist	A licensed pharmacist who has demonstrated specialized knowledge and skill delivering direct patient care and the safe and effective use of medication…
363LN0000X	Neonatal Nurse Practitioner	Physician Assistants & Advanced Practice Nursing Providers · Nurse Practitioner

CPT 31717: Tracheal Brush Biopsy via Catheter

CPT-31720-NASOPHARYNGEAL-TRACHEAL-SUCTIONING

CPT 31720: Tracheal and Nasopharyngeal Suctioning to Remove Secretions

CPT-31730-TRACHEAL-CATHETER-OXYGEN-ADMINISTRATION

CPT 31730: Tracheal Oxygen Administration via Catheter

Frequently Asked Questions

References

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.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.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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Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`31603`	Endoscopy, trachea, direct, rigid or flexible; diagnostic, with or without collection of specimen(s) by brushing or washing	May be performed when diagnostic inspection or sampling of trachea is needed in addition to suctioning.
`31635`	Bronchoscopy, rigid or flexible, with biopsy(s)	Performed when tissue sampling is required after visualizing abnormalities during fiberoptic airway inspection.
`31622`	Bronchoscopy, flexible, diagnostic, including fluoroscopic guidance, when performed	Often performed before or after suctioning for diagnostic airway visualization and evaluation.
`31500`	Intubation, endotracheal, emergency procedure	May precede `31725` when airway protection or controlled airway access is required for suctioning.
`31502`	Intubation, endotracheal, planned; routine	Performed prior to fiberoptic-guided suctioning in controlled settings when airway secured electively.
`94002`	Ventilator management, initiation of mechanical ventilator support	Related when suctioning is part of airway management in mechanically ventilated patients; ventilator management codes describe separate critical care services.

Related Modifiers

7 rows

Modifier	Description	When to Use
22	Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…	- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
23	Modifier -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…
26	Modifier 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…
52	Modifier ‑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…
53	Modifier 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…
57	CPT® modifier -57 (“Decision for Surgery”) is appended to an Evaluation and Management (E/M) service when that encounter results in the initial decision to perform a major surgery (a procedure with a…	- Use modifier 57 when an E/M service provided by the same provider (or same tax ID) on the day of or the day before a major surgical procedure (90‑day global period) results in the initial decision…
59	Modifier 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…

Related Provider Taxonomies

8 rows

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
208600000X	Surgery Physician	A general surgeon has expertise related to the diagnosis - preoperative, operative and postoperative management - and management of complications of s…
1835C0205X	Critical Care Pharmacist	A licensed pharmacist who has demonstrated specialized knowledge and skill in the delivery of patient care services by pharmacists, as integral member…
152WP0200X	Pediatric Optometrist	Optometrists who work in Pediatrics are concerned with the prevention, development, diagnosis, and treatment of visual problems in children.
1041C0700X	Clinical Social Worker	A social worker who holds a master's or doctoral degree in social work from an accredited school of social work in addition to at least two years of p…
126800000X	Dental Assistant	An individual who may or may not have completed an accredited dental assisting education program and who aids the dentist in providing patient care se…
103TP2700X	Deactivated - Psychologist Psychotherapy
1835S0206X	Solid Organ Transplant Pharmacist	A licensed pharmacist who has demonstrated specialized knowledge and skill delivering direct patient care and the safe and effective use of medication…
363LN0000X	Neonatal Nurse Practitioner	Physician Assistants & Advanced Practice Nursing Providers · Nurse Practitioner

CPT 31717: Tracheal Brush Biopsy via Catheter

CPT-31720-NASOPHARYNGEAL-TRACHEAL-SUCTIONING

CPT 31720: Tracheal and Nasopharyngeal Suctioning to Remove Secretions

CPT-31730-TRACHEAL-CATHETER-OXYGEN-ADMINISTRATION

CPT 31730: Tracheal Oxygen Administration via Catheter

Frequently Asked Questions

References

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.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.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.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

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CPT 31725: Fiberoptic-Guided Tracheobronchial Suctioning

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CPT 31725: Fiberoptic-Guided Tracheobronchial Suctioning

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Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Codes

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Codes

References

CPT 31725: Fiberoptic-Guided Tracheobronchial Suctioning

Sign up for cpt 31725 policy alerts

CPT 31725: Fiberoptic-Guided Tracheobronchial Suctioning

Sign up for cpt 31725 policy alerts

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Codes

What procedure does CPT 31725 describe and where is it typically performed?

Which modifiers are relevant for reporting CPT 31725?

Which specialties and taxonomy codes are commonly associated with CPT 31725?

What related CPT codes might be reported alongside or in proximity to 31725?

Which diagnoses and clinical scenarios in the documentation support reporting CPT 31725?

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Codes

What procedure does CPT 31725 describe and where is it typically performed?

Which modifiers are relevant for reporting CPT 31725?

Which specialties and taxonomy codes are commonly associated with CPT 31725?

What related CPT codes might be reported alongside or in proximity to 31725?

Which diagnoses and clinical scenarios in the documentation support reporting CPT 31725?

References