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Vocal Cord Repositioning For A Paralyzed Cord

Arkansas 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?

$4,172

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

Insurers have agreed to pay about $4,172 for this procedure. That total is two separate charges: $1,288 to the doctor who performs it, and $2,884 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$1,288$1,072 to $1,413
Facility feeThe hospital or surgery center$2,884$2,089 to $5,370

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $2,884 · 10th to 90th $1,380 to $7,413Professionalmedian $1,288 · 10th to 90th $912 to $1,905
$1K$2K$5K$10Kfacility $2,884professional $1,288

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
$1,071.52
Median
$1,513.56
Typical High
$2,454.71
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,230.27
Median
$1,318.26
Typical High
$1,318.26
BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,754.23
Median
$5,370.32
Typical High
$7,413.10
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,071.52
Median
$1,071.52
Typical High
$1,412.54
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$588.84
Median
$2,754.23
Typical High
$3,235.94
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$812.83
Median
$1,230.27
Typical High
$1,949.84
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,479.11
Median
$2,041.74
Typical High
$6,918.31
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$954.99
Median
$1,122.02
Typical High
$2,089.30
6 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
$616.60
Median
$660.69
Typical High
$660.69
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$245.47
Median
$263.03
Typical High
$263.03
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$912.01
Median
$1,000.00
Typical High
$1,000.00
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$181.97
Median
$199.53
Typical High
$199.53
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$123.03
Median
$131.83
Typical High
$131.83
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$851.14
Median
$933.25
Typical High
$933.25

Where Arkansas 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

Arkansas· 42nd of 51

$4,172

$1,288 physician + $2,884 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.