Exam of lung airways and sampling of lymph nodes using an endoscope and ultrasound guidance, 3 or more lymph nodes
Medicare pricing data for 2,696 providers across 50 states
This procedure has a 8.6x markup — hospitals charge $1,981 but Medicare allows only $230.59. Uninsured patients may face bills 8.6 times higher than what insurance negotiates. Prices vary significantly by location — from $195 in Tennessee to $601 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
Exam of lung airways and sampling of lymph nodes using an endoscope and ultrasound guidance, 3 or more lymph nodes (HCPCS code 31653) is a medical procedure billed to Medicare. The average Medicare-allowed cost is $230.59, but hospitals typically charge $1,981 — a 8.6x 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 $230.59, your out-of-pocket cost would be approximately $46.12. 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 8.6x more than what Medicare allows for this procedure. Medicare actually pays $182.39 on average.
Cost by State
Medicare-allowed amounts vary significantly by state
| State | Allowed Cost | Hospital Charge | Providers | Services | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $601 | $6,774 | 7 | 18 | +160.7% |
| District of Columbia | $258 | $1,093 | 12 | 319 | +11.8% |
| Missouri | $253 | $1,560 | 81 | 474 | +9.6% |
| New York | $251 | $2,971 | 140 | 735 | +8.9% |
| Wisconsin | $250 | $2,910 | 63 | 428 | +8.3% |
| Connecticut | $247 | $2,453 | 35 | 308 | +7.1% |
| New Jersey | $245 | $2,841 | 44 | 261 | +6.4% |
| Rhode Island | $240 | $1,948 | 5 | 50 | +4.3% |
| Maryland | $240 | $2,337 | 33 | 739 | +4.1% |
| Oregon | $236 | $3,149 | 35 | 103 | +2.4% |
| Florida | $236 | $1,561 | 168 | 1,249 | +2.3% |
| Illinois | $235 | $2,548 | 109 | 740 | +1.8% |
| Delaware | $233 | $1,309 | 12 | 107 | +1.0% |
| West Virginia | $233 | $962 | 26 | 46 | +1.0% |
| Virginia | $232 | $1,835 | 84 | 372 | +0.6% |
| New Mexico | $231 | $2,451 | 11 | 50 | +0.2% |
| California | $231 | $2,732 | 163 | 1,495 | +0.1% |
| Montana | $230 | $1,262 | 10 | 71 | -0.0% |
| Kentucky | $230 | $1,048 | 63 | 322 | -0.2% |
| Michigan | $230 | $948 | 111 | 625 | -0.2% |
| Pennsylvania | $229 | $1,423 | 157 | 1,008 | -0.8% |
| South Dakota | $228 | $893 | 12 | 48 | -1.0% |
| Colorado | $228 | $1,039 | 45 | 269 | -1.1% |
| Texas | $228 | $3,024 | 154 | 876 | -1.1% |
| Maine | $227 | $626 | 15 | 75 | -1.3% |
| Utah | $226 | $1,204 | 14 | 79 | -1.9% |
| Vermont | $226 | $6,333 | 7 | 55 | -1.9% |
| Ohio | $226 | $1,543 | 135 | 802 | -1.9% |
| Alabama | $226 | $1,339 | 23 | 158 | -2.0% |
| Massachusetts | $225 | $1,717 | 82 | 687 | -2.3% |
| Louisiana | $225 | $1,396 | 38 | 215 | -2.3% |
| New Hampshire | $225 | $4,054 | 16 | 104 | -2.5% |
| Georgia | $224 | $2,040 | 85 | 445 | -3.0% |
| North Carolina | $223 | $2,488 | 75 | 377 | -3.1% |
| South Carolina | $223 | $1,566 | 50 | 293 | -3.3% |
| Arizona | $223 | $974 | 45 | 573 | -3.5% |
| Oklahoma | $222 | $1,278 | 28 | 93 | -3.5% |
| Nevada | $222 | $1,840 | 16 | 64 | -3.8% |
| Arkansas | $222 | $1,795 | 35 | 176 | -3.9% |
| Idaho | $221 | $594 | 9 | 61 | -4.0% |
| Mississippi | $220 | $1,465 | 32 | 194 | -4.4% |
| Indiana | $220 | $2,059 | 85 | 475 | -4.7% |
| Nebraska | $219 | $2,056 | 29 | 208 | -4.8% |
| Washington | $217 | $1,549 | 56 | 364 | -5.8% |
| Kansas | $217 | $1,020 | 28 | 139 | -5.8% |
| North Dakota | $212 | $986 | 10 | 40 | -7.9% |
| Hawaii | $207 | $774 | 7 | 35 | -10.2% |
| Minnesota | $203 | $2,995 | 51 | 393 | -11.9% |
| Iowa | $195 | $2,387 | 34 | 169 | -15.2% |
| Tennessee | $195 | $1,578 | 88 | 838 | -15.4% |
⚠️ 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