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Vocal Cord Repositioning For A Paralyzed Cord

Nationwide rates for HCPCS 31591

Moves a paralyzed vocal cord inwards so it can meet its partner when the person speaks. Working through a small opening in the neck, the surgeon places a shaped implant or shim against the cord to hold it in the new position. It is done on one side, for a weak, breathy voice or choking on liquids caused by a cord that no longer moves.

Rates data updated July 2026.

How much does Vocal Cord Repositioning For A Paralyzed Cord cost?

$8,078

Typical total for the visit. Nationwide, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $8,078 for this procedure. That total is two separate charges: $1,622 to the doctor who performs it, and $6,457 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 55 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

What's inside this number

Part of the billTypicalRange
Physician feeThe doctor who performs it$1,622$1,202 to $2,399
Facility feeThe hospital or surgery center$6,457$3,388 to $10,965

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $6,457 · 10th to 90th $1,514 to $15,136Professionalmedian $1,622 · 10th to 90th $1,047 to $3,890
$200$500$1K$2K$5K$10K$20Kfacility $6,457professional $1,622

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). Each curve is scaled to its own total: facility and professional rates are different services, shown together to compare where they cluster. Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,258.93
Median
$4,897.79
Typical High
$12,589.25
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
50 · Both sides
Typical Low
$5,128.61
Median
$6,025.60
Typical High
$17,378.01
BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3,311.31
Median
$8,709.64
Typical High
$17,782.79
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,513.56
Median
$3,388.44
Typical High
$9,120.11
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2,344.23
Median
$6,918.31
Typical High
$15,848.93

What it costs in each state

The same service costs 5.4 times more in Wisconsin than in Maryland. 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

Touch or drag across the chart to see any state's rate.

WI $13,042MD $2,433

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.