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Vocal Cord Repositioning For A Paralyzed Cord

Georgia 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?

$4,205

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

Insurers have agreed to pay about $4,205 for this procedure. That total is two separate charges: $1,514 to the doctor who performs it, and $2,692 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 5 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

What's inside this number

Part of the billTypicalRange
Physician feeThe doctor who performs it$1,514$1,259 to $1,778
Facility feeThe hospital or surgery center$2,692$1,175 to $4,074

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $2,692 · 10th to 90th $724 to $7,413Professionalmedian $1,514 · 10th to 90th $1,000 to $2,692
$1K$2K$5K$10Kfacility $2,692professional $1,514

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
$1,202.26
Median
$5,623.41
Typical High
$10,000.00
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,202.26
Median
$1,230.27
Typical High
$3,162.28
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$691.83
Median
$1,348.96
Typical High
$7,244.36
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$954.99
Median
$1,513.56
Typical High
$2,290.87
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
50 · Both sides
Typical Low
$1,621.81
Median
$2,290.87
Typical High
$3,630.78
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$602.56
Median
$3,467.37
Typical High
$4,365.16
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,148.15
Median
$1,621.81
Typical High
$2,884.03
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,023.29
Median
$1,230.27
Typical High
$5,754.40
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,258.93
Median
$2,884.03
Typical High
$8,709.64
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,096.48
Median
$1,659.59
Typical High
$3,162.28
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
$602.56
Median
$602.56
Typical High
$660.69
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$239.88
Median
$239.88
Typical High
$263.03
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$891.25
Median
$891.25
Typical High
$1,000.00
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$181.97
Median
$181.97
Typical High
$199.53
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$120.23
Median
$120.23
Typical High
$131.83
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$831.76
Median
$831.76
Typical High
$933.25

Where Georgia 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

Georgia· 39th of 51

$4,205

$1,514 physician + $2,692 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.