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Vocal Cord Repositioning For A Paralyzed Cord

Tennessee 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?

$5,027

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

Insurers have agreed to pay about $5,027 for this procedure. That total is two separate charges: $1,479 to the doctor who performs it, and $3,548 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$1,479$1,096 to $2,455
Facility feeThe hospital or surgery center$3,548$2,138 to $5,754

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $3,548 · 10th to 90th $1,122 to $7,762Professionalmedian $1,479 · 10th to 90th $1,000 to $7,943
$1K$2K$5K$10Kfacility $3,548professional $1,479

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
$1,819.70
Median
$2,818.38
Typical High
$7,585.78
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$954.99
Median
$1,071.52
Typical High
$1,513.56
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,905.46
Median
$1,905.46
Typical High
$1,905.46
BCBS Tennessee
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,122.02
Median
$3,090.30
Typical High
$8,317.64
BCBS Tennessee
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,096.48
Median
$1,445.44
Typical High
$2,511.89
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$588.84
Median
$3,090.30
Typical High
$6,606.93
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$977.24
Median
$1,174.90
Typical High
$2,041.74
Lucent Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$7,943.28
Median
$8,511.38
Typical High
$8,511.38
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,548.82
Median
$4,570.88
Typical High
$8,912.51
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$977.24
Median
$1,412.54
Typical High
$2,398.83
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
$478.63
Median
$501.19
Typical High
$758.58
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$190.55
Median
$199.53
Typical High
$302.00
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$724.44
Median
$758.58
Typical High
$1,148.15
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$144.54
Median
$151.36
Typical High
$229.09
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$95.50
Median
$100.00
Typical High
$151.36
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$676.08
Median
$707.95
Typical High
$1,071.52

Where Tennessee 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

Tennessee· 29th of 51

$5,027

$1,479 physician + $3,548 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.