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Vocal Cord Repositioning For A Paralyzed Cord

New Jersey 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?

$6,295

Typical total for the visit. In New Jersey, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $6,295 for this procedure. That total is two separate charges: $1,047 to the doctor who performs it, and $5,248 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 5 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

What's inside this number

Part of the billTypicalRange
Physician feeThe doctor who performs it$1,047$933 to $1,549
Facility feeThe hospital or surgery center$5,248$3,090 to $7,943

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $5,248 · 10th to 90th $1,585 to $10,965Professionalmedian $1,047 · 10th to 90th $794 to $2,344
$1K$2K$5K$10K$20Kfacility $5,248professional $1,047

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
$1,023.29
Median
$6,918.31
Typical High
$11,748.98
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$933.25
Median
$1,023.29
Typical High
$1,905.46
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,995.26
Median
$3,715.35
Typical High
$6,760.83
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$758.58
Median
$1,174.90
Typical High
$2,454.71
Emblem Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,148.15
Median
$1,621.81
Typical High
$1,621.81
Horizon BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4,677.35
Median
$8,511.38
Typical High
$22,387.21
Horizon BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,023.29
Median
$1,230.27
Typical High
$3,019.95
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,548.82
Median
$4,073.80
Typical High
$9,772.37
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$758.58
Median
$1,000.00
Typical High
$2,344.23
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
$467.74
Median
$467.74
Typical High
$588.84
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$186.21
Median
$186.21
Typical High
$234.42
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$707.95
Median
$707.95
Typical High
$891.25
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$141.25
Median
$141.25
Typical High
$177.83
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$93.33
Median
$93.33
Typical High
$117.49
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$660.69
Median
$660.69
Typical High
$831.76

Where New Jersey 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

New Jersey· 18th of 51

$6,295

$1,047 physician + $5,248 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.