Price Checker / CPT 31536
How much does Laryngoscopy W/bx & Op Scope cost?
CPT 31536 · Based on 2026 Medicare rates and hospital-published pricing
The average hospital charge is around 48x the fair price — among the most extreme markups. Dispute this.
Fair price
$270–$540
What this should cost
With insurance
~$3,050
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$680
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $19,621 is $19,211 over the fair price (about 48x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for Laryngoscopy W/bx & Op Scope
From hospital-published transparency (MRF) files. These are the hospitals in our database that list this procedure.
| Hospital | Gross Charge | Cash Rate | vs Medicare |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Muir Health Walnut Creek Medical Center , CA | $76,913 | $34,611 | 42861% |
| Franciscan Health Lafayette LAFAYETTE, IN | $28,638 | $7,360 | 15896% |
| Chilton Medical Center POMPTON PLAINS, NJ | $26,517 | $4,925 | 14712% |
| "St. Mary's General Hospital" PASSAIC, NJ | $17,310 | $5,629 | 9569% |
| Troy Regional Medical Center TROY, AL | $11,500 | $3,800 | 6324% |
| United Memorial Medical Center BATAVIA, NY | $10,311 | $6,702 | 5659% |
| LifeBrite Community Hospital of Stokes DANBURY, NC | $8,222 | — | 4028% |
| UPMC Green , PA | — | — | 3982% |
| UPMC Chautauqua , NY | — | — | 3152% |
| UPMC Bedford , PA | — | — | 1951% |
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 Laryngoscopy W/bx & Op Scope
CPT code 31536 refers to laryngoscopy w/bx & op scope (billing description: "Laryngoscopy w/bx & op scope"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $179 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $179 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.