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Vocal Cord Repositioning For A Paralyzed Cord

Michigan 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?

$5,151

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

Insurers have agreed to pay about $5,151 for this procedure. That total is two separate charges: $1,349 to the doctor who performs it, and $3,802 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$1,349$1,047 to $1,445
Facility feeThe hospital or surgery center$3,802$2,512 to $5,248

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $3,802 · 10th to 90th $1,122 to $6,918Professionalmedian $1,349 · 10th to 90th $263 to $1,549
$500$1K$2K$5K$10Kfacility $3,802professional $1,349

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
$1,412.54
Median
$1,513.56
Typical High
$6,918.31
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,318.26
Median
$1,445.44
Typical High
$1,513.56
BCBS Michigan
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3,801.89
Median
$3,890.45
Typical High
$6,606.93
BCBS Michigan
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$263.03
Median
$309.03
Typical High
$1,548.82
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$831.76
Median
$1,380.38
Typical High
$3,467.37
Health Alliance Plan
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,187.76
Median
$2,187.76
Typical High
$4,897.79
Health Alliance Plan
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,047.13
Median
$1,348.96
Typical High
$1,479.11
Priority Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$831.76
Median
$1,230.27
Typical High
$2,570.40
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$851.14
Median
$2,238.72
Typical High
$7,943.28
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,174.90
Median
$1,318.26
Typical High
$1,778.28
12 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
$660.69
Median
$724.44
Typical High
$758.58
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$263.03
Median
$295.12
Typical High
$302.00
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$1,000.00
Median
$1,096.48
Typical High
$1,122.02
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$199.53
Median
$218.78
Typical High
$223.87
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$131.83
Median
$144.54
Typical High
$151.36
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$933.25
Median
$1,023.29
Typical High
$1,047.13
Health Alliance Plan
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$691.83
Median
$724.44
Typical High
$724.44
Health Alliance Plan
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$281.84
Median
$288.40
Typical High
$288.40
Health Alliance Plan
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$1,047.13
Median
$1,096.48
Typical High
$1,096.48
Health Alliance Plan
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$208.93
Median
$218.78
Typical High
$218.78
Health Alliance Plan
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$141.25
Median
$144.54
Typical High
$144.54
Health Alliance Plan
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$977.24
Median
$1,023.29
Typical High
$1,023.29

Where Michigan 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

Michigan· 26th of 51

$5,151

$1,349 physician + $3,802 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.