Price Checker / CPT 31502
How much does Change Of Windpipe Airway cost?
CPT 31502 · Based on 2026 Medicare rates and hospital-published pricing
The average hospital charge is around 53x the fair price — among the most extreme markups. Dispute this.
Fair price
$45–$90
What this should cost
With insurance
~$2,200
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$110
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $3,709 is $3,639 over the fair price (about 53x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for Change Of Windpipe Airway
From hospital-published transparency (MRF) files. These are the hospitals in our database that list this procedure.
| Hospital | Gross Charge | Cash Rate | vs Medicare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parkland Health Center FARMINGTON, MO | $11,079 | $6,647 | 36355% |
| Parkland Health Center - Bonne Terre BONNE TERRE, MO | $11,078 | $6,647 | 36354% |
| Missouri Baptist Sullivan Hospital SULLIVAN, MO | $10,502 | $6,301 | 34458% |
| "Children's Hospital of Michigan" DETROIT, MI | — | — | 26685% |
| CHRISTUS Louisiana Surgical Hospital , LA | — | $346 | 25254% |
| Kindred Hospital Chicago Lakeshore Chicago, IL | $7,088 | — | 23223% |
| Kindred Hospital Chicago - North Northlake, IL | $7,088 | — | 23223% |
| Kindred Hospital Chicago - Northlake Northlake, IL | $7,088 | — | 23223% |
| MOUNTAINVIEW HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL CENTER Las Vegas, NV | — | — | 21160% |
| SOUTHERN HILLS HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL CENTER Las Vegas, NV | — | — | 21160% |
| HCA HOUSTON HEALTHCARE CONROE Conroe, TX | — | — | 19120% |
| HCA HOUSTON HEALTHCARE MEDICAL CENTER Houston, TX | — | — | 19120% |
| HCA Houston Healthcare North Cypress Cypress, TX | — | — | 19120% |
| HCA HOUSTON HEALTHCARE PEARLAND Pearland, TX | — | — | 19120% |
| HCA HOUSTON HEALTHCARE TOMBALL Tomball, TX | — | — | 19120% |
Were you billed for this procedure?
Send us your bill and we'll compare every line item against Medicare rates and your hospital's published prices. Free review, no obligation.
About Change Of Windpipe Airway
CPT code 31502 refers to change of windpipe airway (billing description: "Change of windpipe airway"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $30 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $30 in a doctor's office.
The Medicare rate is the closest thing to an objective "what this work is actually worth." A fair cash price for the uninsured is generally 1.5–3x that rate. Hospital sticker (gross) charges are often far higher — but almost nobody actually pays them.
What to do if you were overcharged
- 1Send us your bill — we'll identify this code and compare it against the rates shown above.
- 2Get a dispute letter — citing the Medicare rate and your hospital's own published pricing data.
- 3We negotiate for you — 25% of savings, no savings = no fee.