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Vocal Cord Repositioning For A Paralyzed Cord

Maryland 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?

$1,349

Typical physician fee. In Maryland, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $1,349 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $1,122 to $2,512.

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.

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $2,818 · 10th to 90th $617 to $5,248Professionalmedian $1,230 · 10th to 90th $1,000 to $2,138
$500$1K$2K$5Kfacility $2,818professional $1,230

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
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,174.90
Median
$1,202.26
Typical High
$1,348.96
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,096.48
Median
$1,230.27
Typical High
$1,230.27
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$512.86
Median
$2,951.21
Typical High
$5,011.87
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,023.29
Median
$1,230.27
Typical High
$2,818.38
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,071.52
Median
$1,230.27
Typical High
$1,949.84
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,288.25
Median
$2,511.89
Typical High
$5,754.40
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$954.99
Median
$1,445.44
Typical High
$2,818.38
Wellpoint
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$912.01
Median
$912.01
Typical High
$1,621.81
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
$588.84
Median
$602.56
Typical High
$676.08
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$234.42
Median
$239.88
Typical High
$269.15
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$891.25
Median
$912.01
Typical High
$1,000.00
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$177.83
Median
$181.97
Typical High
$204.17
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$117.49
Median
$120.23
Typical High
$134.90
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$831.76
Median
$851.14
Typical High
$933.25

Where Maryland sits

The same service costs 6.6 times more in Oklahoma than in Utah. 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.

Maryland· 36th of 51

$1,349

OK $4,677UT $708

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.