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Vocal Cord Repositioning For A Paralyzed Cord

Alabama 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 October 2026.

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

$7,837

Typical total for the visit. In Alabama, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $7,837 for this procedure. That total is two separate charges: $1,230 to the doctor who performs it, and $6,607 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 4 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

What's inside this number

Part of the billTypicalRange
Physician feeThe doctor who performs it$1,230$1,122 to $1,820
Facility feeThe hospital or surgery center$6,607$2,884 to $6,761

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $6,607 · 10th to 90th $1,413 to $6,761Professionalmedian $1,230 · 10th to 90th $912 to $1,820
$500$1K$2K$5K$10Kfacility $6,607professional $1,230

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
$794.33
Median
$1,513.56
Typical High
$2,398.83
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,819.70
Median
$1,819.70
Typical High
$1,819.70
BCBS Alabama
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$6,606.93
Median
$6,760.83
Typical High
$6,760.83
BCBS Alabama
Setting
Professional
Modifier
32 · Mandated service
Typical Low
$758.58
Median
$1,047.13
Typical High
$1,584.89
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$549.54
Median
$2,884.03
Typical High
$3,548.13
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,000.00
Median
$1,174.90
Typical High
$1,548.82
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,202.26
Median
$3,090.30
Typical High
$6,456.54
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$831.76
Median
$1,047.13
Typical High
$1,548.82
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
$912.01
Median
$912.01
Typical High
$912.01
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$363.08
Median
$363.08
Typical High
$363.08
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$1,380.38
Median
$1,380.38
Typical High
$1,380.38
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$275.42
Median
$275.42
Typical High
$275.42
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$181.97
Median
$181.97
Typical High
$181.97
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$1,288.25
Median
$1,288.25
Typical High
$1,288.25
BCBS Alabama
Setting
Facility
Modifier
50 · Both sides
Typical Low
$10,000.00
Median
$10,000.00
Typical High
$10,000.00

Where Alabama sits

The same service costs 3.4 times more in Alaska than in Montana. 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

Alabama· 7th of 51

$7,837

$1,230 physician + $6,607 facility

AK $11,546MT $3,436

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.