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Vocal Cord Repositioning For A Paralyzed Cord

Minnesota 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?

$5,475

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

Insurers have agreed to pay about $5,475 for this procedure. That total is two separate charges: $2,455 to the doctor who performs it, and $3,020 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$2,455$1,778 to $3,467
Facility feeThe hospital or surgery center$3,020$1,950 to $5,495

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $3,020 · 10th to 90th $1,202 to $10,965Professionalmedian $2,455 · 10th to 90th $1,202 to $4,677
$1K$2K$5K$10K$20Kfacility $3,020professional $2,455

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
$1,202.26
Median
$1,202.26
Typical High
$1,202.26
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$912.01
Median
$912.01
Typical High
$912.01
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$851.14
Median
$851.14
Typical High
$851.14
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,202.26
Median
$1,202.26
Typical High
$1,412.54
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$912.01
Median
$912.01
Typical High
$1,071.52
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$851.14
Median
$851.14
Typical High
$1,000.00
BCBS Minnesota
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$5,623.41
Median
$11,220.18
Typical High
$22,387.21
BCBS Minnesota
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,698.24
Median
$2,290.87
Typical High
$3,981.07
BCBS Minnesota
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$1,348.96
Median
$1,819.70
Typical High
$3,162.28
BCBS Minnesota
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$1,412.54
Median
$1,949.84
Typical High
$3,311.31
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,819.70
Median
$2,818.38
Typical High
$5,370.32
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,089.30
Median
$3,235.94
Typical High
$5,128.61
Health Partners
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,621.81
Median
$2,630.27
Typical High
$4,570.88
Health Partners
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,819.70
Median
$2,951.21
Typical High
$4,466.84
Medica
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,949.84
Median
$3,467.37
Typical High
$8,709.64
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,230.27
Median
$2,344.23
Typical High
$8,128.31
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,818.38
Median
$4,265.80
Typical High
$11,220.18
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,202.26
Median
$2,238.72
Typical High
$4,466.84
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
Facility
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$602.56
Median
$602.56
Typical High
$602.56
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$239.88
Median
$239.88
Typical High
$239.88
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$181.97
Median
$181.97
Typical High
$181.97
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$120.23
Median
$120.23
Typical High
$120.23
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$602.56
Median
$602.56
Typical High
$707.95
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$239.88
Median
$239.88
Typical High
$281.84
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$181.97
Median
$181.97
Typical High
$213.80
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$120.23
Median
$120.23
Typical High
$141.25
BCBS Minnesota
Setting
Facility
Modifier
50 · Both sides
Typical Low
$11,748.98
Median
$21,379.62
Typical High
$38,904.51
BCBS Minnesota
Setting
Professional
Modifier
50 · Both sides
Typical Low
$2,570.40
Median
$3,467.37
Typical High
$5,888.44
BCBS Minnesota
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$338.84
Median
$457.09
Typical High
$776.25
BCBS Minnesota
Setting
Professional
Modifier
62 · Two surgeons
Typical Low
$1,071.52
Median
$1,445.44
Typical High
$2,398.83

Where Minnesota 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

Minnesota· 24th of 51

$5,475

$2,455 physician + $3,020 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.