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Vocal Cord Repositioning For A Paralyzed Cord

South Carolina 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?

$4,654

Typical total for the visit. In South Carolina, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $4,654 for this procedure. That total is two separate charges: $1,023 to the doctor who performs it, and $3,631 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$1,023$214 to $1,318
Facility feeThe hospital or surgery center$3,631$2,239 to $11,482

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $3,631 · 10th to 90th $1,380 to $17,783Professionalmedian $1,023 · 10th to 90th $107 to $1,698
$100$500$2K$10Kfacility $3,631professional $1,023

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
$1,318.26
Median
$10,964.78
Typical High
$21,877.62
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,071.52
Median
$1,318.26
Typical High
$1,318.26
BCBS South Carolina
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,659.59
Median
$5,495.41
Typical High
$17,378.01
BCBS South Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$954.99
Median
$1,258.93
Typical High
$1,819.70
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$602.56
Median
$3,235.94
Typical High
$4,677.35
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,096.48
Median
$1,288.25
Typical High
$2,238.72
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,148.15
Median
$1,778.28
Typical High
$3,890.45
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,047.13
Median
$1,412.54
Typical High
$1,479.11
Molina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$91.20
Median
$851.14
Typical High
$1,621.81
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,445.44
Median
$4,265.80
Typical High
$24,547.09
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,000.00
Median
$1,288.25
Typical High
$2,238.72
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
$537.03
Median
$660.69
Typical High
$660.69
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$213.80
Median
$263.03
Typical High
$263.03
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$812.83
Median
$1,000.00
Typical High
$1,000.00
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$162.18
Median
$199.53
Typical High
$199.53
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$107.15
Median
$131.83
Typical High
$131.83
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$758.58
Median
$933.25
Typical High
$933.25
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
50 · Both sides
Typical Low
$2,041.74
Median
$2,089.30
Typical High
$2,951.21
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
51 · Multiple procedures
Typical Low
$691.83
Median
$707.95
Typical High
$977.24
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
80 · Assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$275.42
Median
$281.84
Typical High
$389.05
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
81 · Minimal assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$190.55
Median
$194.98
Typical High
$275.42
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
82 · Assistant surgeon, no resident
Typical Low
$190.55
Median
$194.98
Typical High
$275.42
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
AS · PA/NP assist
Typical Low
$190.55
Median
$194.98
Typical High
$275.42

Where South Carolina 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

South Carolina· 33rd of 51

$4,654

$1,023 physician + $3,631 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.