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Vocal Cord Repositioning For A Paralyzed Cord

Louisiana 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?

$4,757

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

Insurers have agreed to pay about $4,757 for this procedure. That total is two separate charges: $1,445 to the doctor who performs it, and $3,311 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$1,445$1,175 to $1,778
Facility feeThe hospital or surgery center$3,311$2,692 to $7,079

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $3,311 · 10th to 90th $1,202 to $10,000Professionalmedian $1,445 · 10th to 90th $1,000 to $1,950
$1K$2K$5K$10Kfacility $3,311professional $1,445

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
$724.44
Median
$2,511.89
Typical High
$3,890.45
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,230.27
Median
$1,513.56
Typical High
$1,905.46
BCBS Louisiana
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,884.03
Median
$4,677.35
Typical High
$10,471.29
BCBS Louisiana
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,230.27
Median
$1,548.82
Typical High
$1,698.24
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$524.81
Median
$1,174.90
Typical High
$4,786.30
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$812.83
Median
$1,258.93
Typical High
$1,949.84
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,202.26
Median
$3,090.30
Typical High
$11,481.54
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$933.25
Median
$1,380.38
Typical High
$2,041.74
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
$758.58
Typical High
$933.25
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$245.47
Median
$302.00
Typical High
$371.54
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$933.25
Median
$1,148.15
Typical High
$1,412.54
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$186.21
Median
$229.09
Typical High
$281.84
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$123.03
Median
$151.36
Typical High
$186.21
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$870.96
Median
$1,071.52
Typical High
$1,318.26

Where Louisiana 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

Louisiana· 31st of 51

$4,757

$1,445 physician + $3,311 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.