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Vocal Cord Repositioning For A Paralyzed Cord

Iowa 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?

$7,131

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

Insurers have agreed to pay about $7,131 for this procedure. That total is two separate charges: $2,344 to the doctor who performs it, and $4,786 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 7 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

What's inside this number

Part of the billTypicalRange
Physician feeThe doctor who performs it$2,344$1,622 to $2,884
Facility feeThe hospital or surgery center$4,786$2,692 to $7,413

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $4,786 · 10th to 90th $1,288 to $12,589Professionalmedian $2,344 · 10th to 90th $1,230 to $3,388
$100$200$500$1K$2K$5K$10Kfacility $4,786professional $2,344

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
$1,621.81
Median
$5,011.87
Typical High
$7,244.36
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,023.29
Median
$1,621.81
Typical High
$2,398.83
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4,168.69
Median
$5,128.61
Typical High
$7,079.46
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,398.83
Median
$2,570.40
Typical High
$3,235.94
Hally Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,096.48
Median
$1,513.56
Typical High
$3,801.89
Medica
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,288.25
Median
$3,630.78
Typical High
$13,182.57
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,318.26
Median
$2,454.71
Typical High
$8,128.31
Midlands
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,454.71
Median
$2,511.89
Typical High
$3,019.95
Midlands
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3,235.94
Median
$5,128.61
Typical High
$7,079.46
Midlands
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,951.21
Median
$2,951.21
Typical High
$3,388.44
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,584.89
Median
$5,011.87
Typical High
$15,488.17
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,174.90
Median
$1,778.28
Typical High
$3,388.44
Wellmark
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,995.26
Median
$1,995.26
Typical High
$2,344.23

Where Iowa 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

Iowa· 12th of 51

$7,131

$2,344 physician + $4,786 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.