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Vocal Cord Repositioning For A Paralyzed Cord

Illinois 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?

$6,541

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

Insurers have agreed to pay about $6,541 for this procedure. That total is two separate charges: $1,413 to the doctor who performs it, and $5,129 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 6 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

What's inside this number

Part of the billTypicalRange
Physician feeThe doctor who performs it$1,413$1,230 to $1,820
Facility feeThe hospital or surgery center$5,129$3,020 to $7,244

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $5,129 · 10th to 90th $1,259 to $11,220Professionalmedian $1,413 · 10th to 90th $1,072 to $2,188
$50$200$1K$5K$20Kfacility $5,129professional $1,413

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
$977.24
Median
$2,951.21
Typical High
$7,762.47
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$977.24
Median
$1,258.93
Typical High
$1,621.81
BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4,570.88
Median
$6,760.83
Typical High
$14,454.40
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,230.27
Median
$1,778.28
Typical High
$1,949.84
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$776.25
Median
$5,370.32
Typical High
$6,760.83
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,174.90
Median
$1,412.54
Typical High
$1,995.26
Hally Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,096.48
Median
$1,778.28
Typical High
$4,570.88
Hally Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$100.00
Median
$100.00
Typical High
$100.00
Hally Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,318.26
Median
$1,380.38
Typical High
$1,513.56
Molina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$33.11
Median
$33.11
Typical High
$33.11
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,288.25
Median
$4,073.80
Typical High
$12,882.50
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,096.48
Median
$1,445.44
Typical High
$2,398.83
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
$489.78
Median
$616.60
Typical High
$616.60
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$194.98
Median
$251.19
Typical High
$251.19
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$741.31
Median
$933.25
Typical High
$933.25
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$147.91
Median
$186.21
Typical High
$186.21
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$97.72
Median
$125.89
Typical High
$125.89
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$691.83
Median
$870.96
Typical High
$870.96

Where Illinois 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

Illinois· 16th of 51

$6,541

$1,413 physician + $5,129 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.