Needle biopsy of windpipe cartilage, airway, and/or lung using an endoscope
Medicare pricing data for 2,597 providers across 49 states
This procedure has a 8.5x markup — hospitals charge $1,244 but Medicare allows only $146.97. Uninsured patients may face bills 8.5 times higher than what insurance negotiates. Prices vary significantly by location — from $106 in Maine to $268 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
Needle biopsy of windpipe cartilage, airway, and/or lung using an endoscope (HCPCS code 31629) is a medical procedure billed to Medicare. The average Medicare-allowed cost is $146.97, but hospitals typically charge $1,244 — a 8.5x 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 $146.97, your out-of-pocket cost would be approximately $29.39. 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 8.5x more than what Medicare allows for this procedure. Medicare actually pays $116.66 on average.
Cost by State
Medicare-allowed amounts vary significantly by state
| State | Allowed Cost | Hospital Charge | Providers | Services | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $268 | $3,890 | 6 | 27 | +82.2% |
| South Dakota | $244 | $1,679 | 8 | 23 | +65.7% |
| West Virginia | $164 | $719 | 25 | 106 | +11.8% |
| Virginia | $162 | $1,227 | 79 | 632 | +10.2% |
| New York | $160 | $2,669 | 117 | 986 | +8.7% |
| California | $159 | $1,553 | 153 | 1,902 | +8.5% |
| Oregon | $159 | $1,194 | 25 | 136 | +8.1% |
| Oklahoma | $157 | $1,103 | 28 | 239 | +6.9% |
| Utah | $157 | $975 | 12 | 47 | +6.9% |
| New Jersey | $156 | $1,421 | 42 | 276 | +6.3% |
| North Carolina | $154 | $1,369 | 106 | 1,039 | +4.9% |
| Kentucky | $154 | $605 | 61 | 511 | +4.6% |
| Georgia | $153 | $1,322 | 91 | 855 | +3.9% |
| New Hampshire | $152 | $3,060 | 9 | 68 | +3.7% |
| Nevada | $152 | $1,296 | 21 | 179 | +3.6% |
| Iowa | $151 | $1,093 | 31 | 257 | +2.6% |
| Louisiana | $151 | $933 | 36 | 359 | +2.5% |
| Montana | $150 | $863 | 10 | 68 | +2.3% |
| Connecticut | $149 | $1,289 | 33 | 259 | +1.6% |
| Delaware | $149 | $894 | 9 | 167 | +1.4% |
| Texas | $149 | $1,309 | 193 | 1,550 | +1.4% |
| Kansas | $149 | $684 | 20 | 200 | +1.3% |
| South Carolina | $149 | $822 | 42 | 557 | +1.2% |
| Arizona | $148 | $712 | 55 | 542 | +1.0% |
| Colorado | $148 | $655 | 33 | 221 | +0.9% |
| Michigan | $147 | $766 | 103 | 600 | +0.1% |
| Alabama | $147 | $968 | 33 | 316 | -0.1% |
| Indiana | $147 | $1,068 | 85 | 836 | -0.2% |
| Missouri | $146 | $1,042 | 62 | 571 | -0.3% |
| Florida | $146 | $838 | 215 | 2,013 | -0.4% |
| Pennsylvania | $146 | $1,062 | 133 | 1,225 | -1.0% |
| Illinois | $144 | $1,850 | 96 | 1,122 | -1.8% |
| Massachusetts | $143 | $1,320 | 71 | 578 | -2.5% |
| Washington | $142 | $708 | 46 | 442 | -3.2% |
| Mississippi | $142 | $1,430 | 40 | 324 | -3.5% |
| Nebraska | $141 | $1,386 | 25 | 125 | -4.2% |
| Maryland | $140 | $1,552 | 39 | 628 | -5.1% |
| Idaho | $139 | $451 | 9 | 86 | -5.5% |
| Arkansas | $137 | $888 | 21 | 68 | -6.8% |
| Ohio | $135 | $804 | 128 | 904 | -8.4% |
| District of Columbia | $134 | $828 | 10 | 319 | -8.9% |
| Wisconsin | $130 | $2,436 | 54 | 469 | -11.6% |
| Hawaii | $123 | $943 | 7 | 126 | -16.5% |
| North Dakota | $121 | $2,365 | 9 | 48 | -17.8% |
| Vermont | $120 | $1,653 | 5 | 40 | -18.5% |
| Tennessee | $119 | $1,114 | 81 | 1,176 | -18.9% |
| Minnesota | $118 | $1,247 | 45 | 393 | -19.7% |
| Rhode Island | $112 | $712 | 7 | 40 | -23.5% |
| Maine | $106 | $458 | 9 | 35 | -28.0% |
⚠️ 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