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Vocal Cord Repositioning For A Paralyzed Cord

Massachusetts 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?

$4,004

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

Insurers have agreed to pay about $4,004 for this procedure. That total is two separate charges: $1,660 to the doctor who performs it, and $2,344 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 9 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

What's inside this number

Part of the billTypicalRange
Physician feeThe doctor who performs it$1,660$1,288 to $2,884
Facility feeThe hospital or surgery center$2,344$1,380 to $3,981

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $2,344 · 10th to 90th $1,023 to $7,079Professionalmedian $1,660 · 10th to 90th $891 to $7,413
$200$500$1K$2K$5K$10Kfacility $2,344professional $1,660

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
$1,949.84
Median
$3,235.94
Typical High
$5,248.07
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$831.76
Median
$831.76
Typical High
$1,174.90
AllWays Health Partners
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,288.25
Median
$3,467.37
Typical High
$9,549.93
AllWays Health Partners
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,096.48
Median
$2,630.27
Typical High
$7,413.10
BCBS Massachusetts
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,949.84
Median
$1,949.84
Typical High
$1,949.84
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$676.08
Median
$4,570.88
Typical High
$5,888.44
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,412.54
Median
$1,412.54
Typical High
$3,311.31
Fallon Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,122.02
Median
$1,445.44
Typical High
$3,311.31
Fallon Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,202.26
Median
$1,445.44
Typical High
$1,778.28
Harvard Pilgrim
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$794.33
Median
$3,467.37
Typical High
$10,232.93
Harvard Pilgrim
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,202.26
Median
$2,238.72
Typical High
$4,677.35
Mass General Brigham
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,288.25
Median
$3,467.37
Typical High
$9,549.93
Mass General Brigham
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,096.48
Median
$2,630.27
Typical High
$7,413.10
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,071.52
Median
$3,467.37
Typical High
$13,489.63
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,230.27
Median
$1,659.59
Typical High
$4,677.35
Well Sense
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$851.14
Median
$1,659.59
Typical High
$1,949.84
Well Sense
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$707.95
Median
$707.95
Typical High
$851.14
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
$416.87
Median
$416.87
Typical High
$489.78
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$165.96
Median
$165.96
Typical High
$194.98
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$630.96
Median
$630.96
Typical High
$741.31
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$125.89
Median
$125.89
Typical High
$147.91
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$83.18
Median
$83.18
Typical High
$97.72
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$588.84
Median
$588.84
Typical High
$691.83

Where Massachusetts 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

Massachusetts· 44th of 51

$4,004

$1,660 physician + $2,344 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.