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Removal of an Object From the Voice Box

Maryland rates for HCPCS 31530

A rigid scope is passed through the mouth into the voice box so the surgeon can see a lodged object directly, grasp it, and take it out. It is done under general anesthesia in an operating room, since the airway must be controlled while the object is retrieved. Objects that reach this point can partly block breathing or cause hoarseness, choking, and coughing.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Removal of an Object From the Voice Box cost?

$269

Typical physician fee. In Maryland, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $269 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $209 to $562.

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.

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $776 · 10th to 90th $427 to $1,479Professionalmedian $214 · 10th to 90th $178 to $398
$200$500$1K$2Kfacility $776professional $214

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
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$194.98
Median
$213.80
Typical High
$234.42
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$190.55
Median
$213.80
Typical High
$257.04
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$446.68
Median
$851.14
Typical High
$1,548.82
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$190.55
Median
$239.88
Typical High
$501.19
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$181.97
Median
$208.93
Typical High
$354.81
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$407.38
Median
$645.65
Typical High
$1,380.38
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$177.83
Median
$263.03
Typical High
$489.78
Wellpoint
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$158.49
Median
$158.49
Typical High
$275.42
5 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
$104.71
Median
$107.15
Typical High
$117.49
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$41.69
Median
$42.66
Typical High
$46.77
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$158.49
Median
$162.18
Typical High
$173.78
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$31.62
Median
$32.36
Typical High
$35.48
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$20.89
Median
$21.38
Typical High
$23.44

Where Maryland sits

The same service costs 6.9 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.

Maryland· 37th of 51

$269

OK $1,380NY $200

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.