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Vocal Cord Repositioning For A Paralyzed Cord

Rhode Island 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?

$5,034

Typical total for the visit. In Rhode Island, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $5,034 for this procedure. That total is two separate charges: $1,318 to the doctor who performs it, and $3,715 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 4 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

What's inside this number

Part of the billTypicalRange
Physician feeThe doctor who performs it$1,318$1,148 to $1,820
Facility feeThe hospital or surgery center$3,715$2,138 to $5,754

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $3,715 · 10th to 90th $933 to $10,233Professionalmedian $1,318 · 10th to 90th $1,122 to $1,905
$1K$2K$5K$10Kfacility $3,715professional $1,318

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
$3,019.95
Median
$3,715.35
Typical High
$3,981.07
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,148.15
Median
$1,148.15
Typical High
$1,148.15
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$870.96
Median
$870.96
Typical High
$870.96
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$173.78
Median
$173.78
Typical High
$173.78
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$114.82
Median
$114.82
Typical High
$114.82
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,000.00
Median
$1,318.26
Typical High
$2,089.30
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$602.56
Median
$851.14
Typical High
$1,348.96
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$109.65
Median
$158.49
Typical High
$251.19
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$79.43
Median
$112.20
Typical High
$177.83
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$676.08
Median
$3,981.07
Typical High
$5,623.41
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,412.54
Median
$1,819.70
Typical High
$2,290.87
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$933.25
Median
$3,548.13
Typical High
$12,589.25
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$977.24
Median
$1,348.96
Typical High
$1,905.46
3 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
$575.44
Median
$575.44
Typical High
$575.44
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$229.09
Median
$229.09
Typical High
$229.09
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$812.83
Median
$812.83
Typical High
$812.83

Where Rhode Island 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

Rhode Island· 27th of 51

$5,034

$1,318 physician + $3,715 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.