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Vocal Cord Repositioning For A Paralyzed Cord

Kansas 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?

$7,505

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

Insurers have agreed to pay about $7,505 for this procedure. That total is two separate charges: $1,479 to the doctor who performs it, and $6,026 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$1,479$1,318 to $1,738
Facility feeThe hospital or surgery center$6,026$2,884 to $7,413

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $6,026 · 10th to 90th $1,259 to $7,586Professionalmedian $1,479 · 10th to 90th $1,122 to $2,818
$100$200$500$1K$2K$5K$10Kfacility $6,026professional $1,479

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
$1,905.46
Median
$4,786.30
Typical High
$10,715.19
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,122.02
Median
$1,445.44
Typical High
$1,778.28
BCBS Kansas
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3,467.37
Median
$7,079.46
Typical High
$7,413.10
BCBS Kansas
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,548.82
Median
$1,548.82
Typical High
$1,548.82
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$691.83
Median
$3,630.78
Typical High
$4,168.69
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,071.52
Median
$1,445.44
Typical High
$2,238.72
Medica
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$54.95
Median
$2,187.76
Typical High
$10,964.78
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,174.90
Median
$1,380.38
Typical High
$8,128.31
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$870.96
Median
$2,691.53
Typical High
$8,912.51
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,096.48
Median
$1,348.96
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
$549.54
Median
$724.44
Typical High
$891.25
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$223.87
Median
$288.40
Typical High
$354.81
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$831.76
Median
$1,096.48
Typical High
$1,348.96
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$165.96
Median
$218.78
Typical High
$269.15
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$112.20
Median
$144.54
Typical High
$177.83
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$776.25
Median
$1,023.29
Typical High
$1,258.93

Where Kansas 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

Kansas· 8th of 51

$7,505

$1,479 physician + $6,026 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.