go back

Repeat Stretching of the Voice Box Airway

Washington, DC rates for HCPCS 31529

A scope is passed into the voice box, and the windpipe below it when needed, and a narrowed section of the airway is stretched open with a balloon or dilator. It is used when scarring or swelling has tightened the airway, causing noisy or difficult breathing or a weak voice. This is a repeat stretching, carried out after an earlier one.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Repeat Stretching of the Voice Box Airway cost?

$195

Typical physician fee. In Washington, DC, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $195 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $174 to $457.

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 5 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $4,074 · 10th to 90th $1,202 to $19,953Professionalmedian $191 · 10th to 90th $155 to $1,778
$200$500$1K$2K$5K$10K$20Kfacility $4,074professional $191

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

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$190.55
Median
$3,548.13
Typical High
$4,786.30
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$173.78
Median
$190.55
Typical High
$190.55
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$154.88
Median
$173.78
Typical High
$4,073.80
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$162.18
Median
$194.98
Typical High
$426.58
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$144.54
Median
$151.36
Typical High
$363.08
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,288.25
Median
$5,754.40
Typical High
$27,542.29
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$147.91
Median
$213.80
Typical High
$446.68

Where Washington, DC sits

The same service costs 9.3 times more in Oklahoma than in New York. 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.

Washington, DC· 46th of 51

$195

OK $1,479NY $158

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.