Price Checker / CPT 31628
How much does Bronchoscopy/lung Bx Each cost?
CPT 31628 · Based on 2026 Medicare rates and hospital-published pricing
The average hospital charge is around 57x the fair price — among the most extreme markups. Dispute this.
Fair price
$610–$1,250
What this should cost
With insurance
~$3,050
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$1,550
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $53,289 is $52,359 over the fair price (about 57x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for Bronchoscopy/lung Bx Each
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 Concord Medical Center , CA | $198,887 | $89,499 | 48588% |
| John Muir Health Walnut Creek Medical Center , CA | $198,887 | $89,499 | 48588% |
| John Muir Health Behavioral Health Center , CA | $177,962 | $68,680 | 43466% |
| Franciscan Health Munster MUNSTER, IN | $75,552 | $20,172 | 18395% |
| Franciscan Health Lafayette LAFAYETTE, IN | $67,039 | $17,229 | 16312% |
| Franciscan Health Olympia Fields , IL | $51,088 | $10,218 | 12407% |
| UC San Diego Jacobs Medical Center San Diego, CA | $70,427 | — | 9252% |
| UC San Diego Moores Medical Center San Diego, CA | $70,427 | — | 9252% |
| UC San Diego Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center San Diego, CA | $70,427 | — | 9252% |
| Avita Ontario Hospital Ontario, OH | $14,369 | — | 3136% |
| Bucyrus Community Hospital Bucyrus, OH | $14,369 | — | 3136% |
| Galion Community Hospital GALION, OH | $14,369 | — | 3136% |
| Highland District Hospital HILLSBORO, OH | $9,217 | $7,374 | 2156% |
| Union Hospital Terre Haute Terre Haute, IN | $5,029 | — | 1751% |
| Cape Fear Valley Medical Center FAYETTEVILLE, NC | $4,622 | — | 1127% |
Were you billed for this procedure?
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About Bronchoscopy/lung Bx Each
CPT code 31628 refers to bronchoscopy/lung bx each (billing description: "Bronchoscopy/lung bx each"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $159 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $408 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.