CPT 31717
Global 000 ActiveBronchial brush biopsy
CPT 31717 Billing & Documentation Guide
CPT code 31717 (Bronchial brush biopsy) is classified under Surgery (Respiratory/Cardiovascular) with a global period indicator of 000. The 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule assigns a work RVU of 2.07, a non-facility practice expense RVU of 6.93, and a malpractice RVU of 0.18, a total non-facility RVU of 9.18 and facility RVU of 2.89. With the current conversion factor of $33.4009, the national average non-facility reimbursement is approximately $317.27, though rates vary from $271.07 to $413.74 based on MAC locality and Geographic Practice Cost Indices (GPCIs).
When billing 31717, ensure documentation supports medical necessity and the specific components required for the code's level of service. For E/M codes, document MDM (medical decision-making) elements: problems addressed, data reviewed, and risk. For procedural codes, document the indication, technique, and any complications. Always verify NCCI edits before bundling 31717 with related codes; this code has 10 PTP bundling relationships on file (see table below).
Payment Status & Global Period
Active code (paid under MPFS)
Endoscopic or minor procedure with related preoperative and postoperative work performed on the same day
MUE Limit (Medically Unlikely Edits)
Submitting more than 1 units of 31717 for the same patient on the same date triggers automatic line denial unless an appropriate modifier and supporting documentation justify the higher quantity.
RVU Breakdown, CPT 31717
| Component | Non-Facility | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Work RVU | 2.07 | 2.07 |
| Practice Expense RVU | 6.93 | 0.64 |
| Malpractice RVU | 0.18 | 0.18 |
| Total RVU | 9.18 | 2.89 |
| Conversion Factor | $33.4009 | |
2026 Medicare Reimbursement by State, CPT 31717
State-level averages across all MAC localities. Non-facility rates typically apply to office-based services; facility rates apply to hospital outpatient / inpatient.
| State | Non-Facility | Facility | Range (Non-Fac) | Localities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $348.77 | $100.17 | $327.23 - $413.74 | 29 |
| Florida | $313.08 | $102.29 | $299.46 - $325.3 | 3 |
| Georgia | $297.26 | $96.83 | $282.78 - $311.74 | 2 |
| Illinois | $304.53 | $101.53 | $289.87 - $318 | 4 |
| Michigan | $294.95 | $97.67 | $287.26 - $302.64 | 2 |
| North Carolina | $288.94 | $92.93 | $288.94 - $288.94 | 1 |
| New York | $338.82 | $104.44 | $293.26 - $359.95 | 5 |
| Ohio | $286.53 | $94.72 | $286.53 - $286.53 | 1 |
| Pennsylvania | $302.91 | $97.13 | $287.31 - $318.52 | 2 |
| Texas | $302.99 | $96.15 | $285.36 - $319.5 | 8 |
Source: CMS PFSRVU 2026 · Updated 2026-04-01. Full locality-level detail available for all 53 states, contact us for custom reports.
NCCI Bundling Edits, CPT 31717
Procedure-to-procedure (PTP) edits. If you bill any of these codes with 31717 on the same date of service, review the modifier indicator and payer policy before submission.
| Partner Code | Relationship | Modifier Allowed | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| 00520 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | Anesthesia service included in surgical procedure |
| 0213T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code |
| 0216T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code |
| 0228T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
| 0230T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
| 0596T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
| 0597T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
| 0708T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
| 0709T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
| 0903T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code |
Frequently Asked Questions, CPT 31717
What does CPT code 31717 mean? +
CPT code 31717 represents: Bronchial brush biopsy. It's in the Surgery (Respiratory/Cardiovascular) category with a global period of 000.
What is the Medicare reimbursement for CPT 31717? +
The 2026 Medicare national average non-facility payment for CPT 31717 is $317.27. Rates range from $271.07 to $413.74 across 53 states depending on MAC locality and GPCIs.
What modifiers can I use with CPT 31717? +
Surgery codes commonly use modifier 22 (increased procedural services), 50 (bilateral), 51 (multiple procedures), 52 (reduced services), 58/78/79 (staged, unplanned return, unrelated within global), 62 (co-surgeons), 80/82 (assistant surgeon), and 59 or the X{EPSU} subset for distinct procedural service.
What bundling edits apply to CPT 31717? +
This code has 10 NCCI PTP bundling relationships. See the NCCI Bundling section below for full list.
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Reviewed by the PayerReady Medical Coding Team
Verified against the CMS 2026 code set on April 17, 2026.
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