CPT 31730
Global 000 ActiveIntro windpipe wire/tube
CPT 31730 Billing & Documentation Guide
CPT code 31730 (Intro windpipe wire/tube) is classified under Surgery (Respiratory/Cardiovascular) with a global period indicator of 000. The 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule assigns a work RVU of 2.78, a non-facility practice expense RVU of 31.85, and a malpractice RVU of 0.55, a total non-facility RVU of 35.18 and facility RVU of 3.99. With the current conversion factor of $33.4009, the national average non-facility reimbursement is approximately $1220.71, though rates vary from $1016.14 to $1646.94 based on MAC locality and Geographic Practice Cost Indices (GPCIs).
When billing 31730, 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 31730 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 31730 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 31730
| Component | Non-Facility | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Work RVU | 2.78 | 2.78 |
| Practice Expense RVU | 31.85 | 0.66 |
| Malpractice RVU | 0.55 | 0.55 |
| Total RVU | 35.18 | 3.99 |
| Conversion Factor | $33.4009 | |
2026 Medicare Reimbursement by State, CPT 31730
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 | $1364.93 | $132.23 | $1270.22 - $1646.94 | 29 |
| Florida | $1195.98 | $150.73 | $1137.48 - $1246.75 | 3 |
| Georgia | $1129.86 | $136.01 | $1063.68 - $1196.04 | 2 |
| Illinois | $1156.2 | $149.58 | $1092.83 - $1218.6 | 4 |
| Michigan | $1117.64 | $139.41 | $1084.86 - $1150.41 | 2 |
| North Carolina | $1097.14 | $125.16 | $1097.14 - $1097.14 | 1 |
| New York | $1309.03 | $146.82 | $1116.4 - $1397.79 | 5 |
| Ohio | $1082.64 | $131.5 | $1082.64 - $1082.64 | 1 |
| Pennsylvania | $1155.34 | $134.92 | $1086.8 - $1223.88 | 2 |
| Texas | $1157.76 | $132.13 | $1078 - $1234.84 | 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 31730
Procedure-to-procedure (PTP) edits. If you bill any of these codes with 31730 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 31730
What does CPT code 31730 mean? +
CPT code 31730 represents: Intro windpipe wire/tube. It's in the Surgery (Respiratory/Cardiovascular) category with a global period of 000.
What is the Medicare reimbursement for CPT 31730? +
The 2026 Medicare national average non-facility payment for CPT 31730 is $1220.71. Rates range from $1016.14 to $1646.94 across 53 states depending on MAC locality and GPCIs.
What modifiers can I use with CPT 31730? +
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 31730? +
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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