31500 Insert emergency airway
Also known as: emergency airway, emergency intubation, tracheostomy, endotracheal intubation, RSI, airway management
Emergency surgical establishment of an airway by inserting a tube or creating an opening into the trachea below the larynx when immediate access is required due to airway obstruction or loss of airway protection.
In Plain Language
emergency breathing tube; emergency airway procedure
Clinical Context
Performed emergently in cases of acute airway obstruction (foreign body, severe angioedema, epiglottitis, trauma) when standard intubation cannot be rapidly achieved or is contraindicated.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 2.93 |
| Total RVU | 2.93 |
Est. Medicare Payment
National estimate based on 2026 CMS PFS Conversion Factor ($33.40). Actual payment varies by locality (GPCI adjustment).
Billing & Documentation
As a surgical CPT code, proper documentation must include the operative report detailing the procedure performed, patient positioning, approach, findings, and any complications. This code has a 0-day global period, meaning pre- and post-operative E&M visits are billable separately on the same day. Ensure the diagnosis code (ICD-10) supports medical necessity for the procedure.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 2.93, this code ranks in the 20th percentile among Surgery codes — 2.7x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 31500?
CPT 31500 (Insert emergency airway) is a Surgery code. Emergency surgical establishment of an airway by inserting a tube or creating an opening into the trachea below the larynx when immediate access is required due to airway obstruction or loss of airway protection.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 31500?
The work RVU for CPT 31500 is 2.93. This code is primarily used by Otolaryngology, Emergency Medicine, Anesthesiology.
When is CPT 31500 used?
Performed emergently in cases of acute airway obstruction (foreign body, severe angioedema, epiglottitis, trauma) when standard intubation cannot be rapidly achieved or is contraindicated.
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CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. Data sourced from CMS Physician Fee Schedule RVU26A. Descriptions, synonyms, and clinical context are original content by RVU Edge.