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Vocal Cord Repositioning For A Paralyzed Cord

Washington 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?

$4,380

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

Insurers have agreed to pay about $4,380 for this procedure. That total is two separate charges: $832 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 10 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

What's inside this number

Part of the billTypicalRange
Physician feeThe doctor who performs it$832$195 to $1,660
Facility feeThe hospital or surgery center$3,548$2,188 to $7,079

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $3,548 · 10th to 90th $955 to $20,893Professionalmedian $832 · 10th to 90th $100 to $2,344
$100$1K$10Kfacility $3,548professional $832

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
$1,548.82
Median
$9,549.93
Typical High
$21,877.62
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,348.96
Median
$1,548.82
Typical High
$2,398.83
Asuris Northwest Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$741.31
Median
$16,595.87
Typical High
$33,884.42
Asuris Northwest Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,513.56
Median
$7,943.28
Typical High
$8,511.38
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$707.95
Median
$3,801.89
Typical High
$7,244.36
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,230.27
Median
$1,348.96
Typical High
$3,162.28
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,548.82
Median
$2,818.38
Typical High
$6,309.57
Molina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$95.50
Median
$660.69
Typical High
$2,238.72
Pacific Source
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,288.25
Median
$2,041.74
Typical High
$2,187.76
Premera BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,995.26
Median
$2,884.03
Typical High
$4,897.79
Premera BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,513.56
Median
$1,513.56
Typical High
$1,513.56
Regence BlueShield
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$12,022.64
Median
$16,982.44
Typical High
$32,359.37
Regence BlueShield
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,513.56
Median
$2,187.76
Typical High
$3,019.95
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,089.30
Median
$3,548.13
Typical High
$22,908.68
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,318.26
Median
$1,819.70
Typical High
$3,467.37
Wellpoint
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,380.38
Median
$1,445.44
Typical High
$2,137.96
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
$758.58
Median
$758.58
Typical High
$831.76
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$309.03
Median
$309.03
Typical High
$331.13
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$1,148.15
Median
$1,148.15
Typical High
$1,230.27
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$229.09
Median
$229.09
Typical High
$251.19
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$154.88
Median
$154.88
Typical High
$165.96
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$1,071.52
Median
$1,071.52
Typical High
$1,148.15

Where Washington 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

Washington· 37th of 51

$4,380

$832 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.