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Bronchoscopy with Airway Fluid Wash

North Carolina rates for HCPCS 31624

During a bronchoscopy, sterile fluid is instilled into a small section of the lung and then withdrawn to collect cells and fluid from deep within the airways for laboratory analysis. This technique, called lavage, samples a broader area than brushing or simple washing.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Bronchoscopy with Airway Fluid Wash cost?

$1,203

Typical total for the visit. In North Carolina, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $1,203 for this procedure. That total is two separate charges: $372 to the doctor who performs it, and $832 to the hospital or surgery center where it takes place. Done somewhere without a facility charge, you pay only the first.

These are rates insurers have negotiated with providers, not the amount a patient is billed. What you owe depends on your plan's deductible and coinsurance. Based on rates published by 6 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

What's inside this number

Part of the billTypicalRange
Physician feeThe doctor who performs it$372$245 to $490
Facility feeThe hospital or surgery center$832$501 to $1,413

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $832 · 10th to 90th $251 to $2,239Professionalmedian $372 · 10th to 90th $166 to $776
$200$500$1K$2K$5Kfacility $832professional $372

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$131.83
Median
$251.19
Typical High
$1,584.89
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$131.83
Median
$251.19
Typical High
$446.68
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$85.11
Median
$120.23
Typical High
$269.15
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$562.34
Median
$831.76
Typical High
$1,122.02
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$223.87
Median
$416.87
Typical High
$891.25
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$602.56
Median
$1,380.38
Typical High
$1,819.70
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$169.82
Median
$316.23
Typical High
$537.03
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$251.19
Median
$588.84
Typical High
$1,174.90
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$281.84
Median
$398.11
Typical High
$489.78
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$478.63
Median
$831.76
Typical High
$4,365.16
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$138.04
Median
$263.03
Typical High
$537.03
7 more rates with less common billing modifiers

A modifier changes what was billed, for example a reduced or repeated service. Each of these modifiers carries under 10% of the published rates for this code. Modifier combinations, and modifiers with fewer than 30 rates for a carrier, are not listed.

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$66.07
Median
$120.23
Typical High
$138.04
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$26.30
Median
$48.98
Typical High
$56.23
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$97.72
Median
$181.97
Typical High
$208.93
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$19.50
Median
$36.31
Typical High
$41.69
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$13.18
Median
$24.55
Typical High
$27.54
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
51 · Multiple procedures
Typical Low
$234.42
Median
$331.13
Typical High
$812.83
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
51 · Multiple procedures
Typical Low
$162.18
Median
$194.98
Typical High
$354.81

Where North Carolina sits

The same service costs 8.2 times more in Colorado than in West Virginia. Every bar is a state, most expensive first. Touch or drag across it to read any state, then open that state for its carriers and full range.

Physician feeFacility fee

North Carolina· 39th of 51

$1,203

$372 physician + $832 facility

CO $4,192WV $514

Median negotiated rate in each state, from every insurer that publishes one. States where no insurer publishes a rate for this service are not shown.