CPT 31720
Global 000 ActiveClearance of airways
CPT 31720 Billing & Documentation Guide
CPT code 31720 (Clearance of airways) is classified under Surgery (Respiratory/Cardiovascular) with a global period indicator of 000. The 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule assigns a work RVU of 1.03, a non-facility practice expense RVU of 0.24, and a malpractice RVU of 0.09, a total non-facility RVU of 1.36 and facility RVU of 1.36. With the current conversion factor of $33.4009, the national average non-facility reimbursement is approximately $46.04, though rates vary from $42.84 to $61.8 based on MAC locality and Geographic Practice Cost Indices (GPCIs).
When billing 31720, 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 31720 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 31720 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 31720
| Component | Non-Facility | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Work RVU | 1.03 | 1.03 |
| Practice Expense RVU | 0.24 | 0.24 |
| Malpractice RVU | 0.09 | 0.09 |
| Total RVU | 1.36 | 1.36 |
| Conversion Factor | $33.4009 | |
2026 Medicare Reimbursement by State, CPT 31720
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 | $46.75 | $46.75 | $45.38 - $51.36 | 29 |
| Florida | $48.3 | $48.3 | $46.58 - $50.35 | 3 |
| Georgia | $45.7 | $45.7 | $45.14 - $46.26 | 2 |
| Illinois | $48.01 | $48.01 | $46.42 - $49.6 | 4 |
| Michigan | $46.17 | $46.17 | $45.12 - $47.21 | 2 |
| North Carolina | $43.8 | $43.8 | $43.8 - $43.8 | 1 |
| New York | $49.06 | $49.06 | $44.13 - $51.72 | 5 |
| Ohio | $44.75 | $44.75 | $44.75 - $44.75 | 1 |
| Pennsylvania | $45.78 | $45.78 | $44.6 - $46.95 | 2 |
| Texas | $45.28 | $45.28 | $44.49 - $46.77 | 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 31720
Procedure-to-procedure (PTP) edits. If you bill any of these codes with 31720 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 | CPT Separate procedure definition |
Frequently Asked Questions, CPT 31720
What does CPT code 31720 mean? +
CPT code 31720 represents: Clearance of airways. It's in the Surgery (Respiratory/Cardiovascular) category with a global period of 000.
What is the Medicare reimbursement for CPT 31720? +
The 2026 Medicare national average non-facility payment for CPT 31720 is $46.04. Rates range from $42.84 to $61.8 across 53 states depending on MAC locality and GPCIs.
What modifiers can I use with CPT 31720? +
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 31720? +
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 June 1, 2026.
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