Irrigation and suction of lung airways to obtain cells using an endoscope
Medicare pricing data for 13,770 providers across 52 states
This procedure has a 10.5x markup — hospitals charge $749.92 but Medicare allows only $71.76. Uninsured patients may face bills 10.5 times higher than what insurance negotiates. Prices vary significantly by location — from $52 in Tennessee to $148 in Alaska. Where you get this procedure matters more than almost any other factor. Note: These costs reflect the Medicare physician/supplier component. Hospital facility fees are billed separately and can be 2-5x the physician fee.
💡 What You Should Know
Irrigation and suction of lung airways to obtain cells using an endoscope (HCPCS code 31624) is a medical procedure billed to Medicare. The average Medicare-allowed cost is $71.76, but hospitals typically charge $749.92 — a 10.5x markup. Prices vary significantly by state and provider.
🏷️ Typical Out-of-Pocket Cost
Medicare patients typically pay about 20% of the allowed amount as coinsurance. Based on the average allowed cost of $71.76, your out-of-pocket cost would be approximately $14.35. Actual costs depend on your specific plan, deductible, and whether you've met your annual out-of-pocket maximum.
What Hospitals Charge vs. What Medicare Pays
Hospitals charge 10.5x more than what Medicare allows for this procedure. Medicare actually pays $56.81 on average.
Cost by State
Medicare-allowed amounts vary significantly by state
| State | Allowed Cost | Hospital Charge | Providers | Services | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $148 | $3,197 | 24 | 228 | +106.9% |
| Puerto Rico | $113 | $329 | 12 | 27 | +56.8% |
| New Mexico | $100 | $545 | 53 | 265 | +38.9% |
| Wyoming | $93 | $506 | 5 | 14 | +29.3% |
| New Jersey | $90 | $833 | 363 | 1,905 | +26.1% |
| Utah | $90 | $592 | 98 | 492 | +25.6% |
| Maine | $90 | $368 | 65 | 254 | +25.2% |
| Idaho | $89 | $498 | 45 | 201 | +24.2% |
| North Dakota | $89 | $876 | 36 | 207 | +24.1% |
| South Dakota | $87 | $453 | 28 | 253 | +21.3% |
| West Virginia | $85 | $536 | 94 | 765 | +18.1% |
| Vermont | $82 | $1,065 | 29 | 156 | +14.9% |
| Arizona | $81 | $475 | 308 | 3,465 | +12.2% |
| Florida | $80 | $561 | 1,069 | 8,794 | +11.2% |
| Oregon | $79 | $645 | 163 | 897 | +10.4% |
| California | $79 | $832 | 1,253 | 10,886 | +9.4% |
| Alabama | $78 | $696 | 192 | 1,241 | +8.3% |
| Texas | $77 | $674 | 965 | 7,911 | +7.5% |
| Minnesota | $77 | $786 | 255 | 1,434 | +7.1% |
| Massachusetts | $77 | $719 | 498 | 2,999 | +6.6% |
| New York | $76 | $1,600 | 794 | 5,065 | +5.4% |
| South Carolina | $76 | $642 | 230 | 2,343 | +5.3% |
| Louisiana | $75 | $634 | 164 | 1,033 | +4.7% |
| Arkansas | $75 | $502 | 105 | 1,039 | +4.2% |
| Montana | $74 | $483 | 46 | 255 | +3.7% |
| New Hampshire | $74 | $1,354 | 76 | 485 | +2.8% |
| Oklahoma | $74 | $527 | 133 | 1,332 | +2.7% |
| Kansas | $73 | $472 | 101 | 1,057 | +2.2% |
| Connecticut | $73 | $878 | 184 | 859 | +1.9% |
| Mississippi | $72 | $768 | 103 | 1,441 | +0.1% |
| Rhode Island | $71 | $613 | 50 | 182 | -0.4% |
| Virginia | $70 | $674 | 361 | 2,365 | -1.8% |
| Michigan | $70 | $510 | 430 | 2,879 | -2.2% |
| North Carolina | $69 | $759 | 422 | 3,194 | -3.7% |
| Washington | $69 | $520 | 305 | 2,046 | -4.4% |
| Ohio | $67 | $563 | 605 | 3,979 | -6.0% |
| Nebraska | $67 | $595 | 92 | 739 | -6.0% |
| Illinois | $67 | $934 | 517 | 4,696 | -6.6% |
| Colorado | $66 | $1,274 | 259 | 1,513 | -8.4% |
| Missouri | $65 | $676 | 344 | 2,557 | -9.0% |
| Indiana | $65 | $670 | 291 | 2,820 | -9.4% |
| Maryland | $65 | $744 | 259 | 1,666 | -9.6% |
| Nevada | $64 | $513 | 110 | 906 | -11.3% |
| Pennsylvania | $61 | $622 | 742 | 4,904 | -14.6% |
| District of Columbia | $61 | $566 | 59 | 473 | -15.7% |
| Wisconsin | $59 | $1,747 | 264 | 2,009 | -18.1% |
| Iowa | $56 | $746 | 97 | 807 | -21.8% |
| Kentucky | $55 | $490 | 228 | 2,765 | -23.5% |
| Hawaii | $55 | $574 | 32 | 234 | -23.6% |
| Georgia | $54 | $703 | 411 | 3,737 | -24.5% |
| Delaware | $52 | $567 | 27 | 405 | -27.0% |
| Tennessee | $52 | $642 | 313 | 2,678 | -27.0% |
⚠️ Important: These costs reflect the Medicare physician/supplier component. Hospital facility fees may be billed separately. Total out-of-pocket costs may be higher.
💊 Need post-procedure medications? Check costs on OpenPrescriber