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Light-Based Imaging Of The Middle Ear

California rates for HCPCS 0486T

A light-based scan that produces cross-sectional images of the middle ear, the air-filled space behind the eardrum, without any incision. A probe is directed into the ear canal and the returning light is used to build a picture of the eardrum and what lies immediately behind it, which is then interpreted and reported. It shows more than an ordinary look with a standard scope.

Rates data updated July 2026.

How much does Light-Based Imaging Of The Middle Ear cost?

$91.20

Typical negotiated rate. In California, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $91.20 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $91.20 from a physician practice, and about $97.72 from a hospital or other facility. The two figures are alternatives, not parts of one bill.

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 8 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Where it's billed changes the price

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$91.20$74.13 to $148
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$97.72$69.18 to $708

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $98 · 10th to 90th $56 to $7,586Professionalmedian $91 · 10th to 90th $47 to $347
$50$200$1K$5K$20Kfacility $98professional $91

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). Each curve is scaled to its own total: facility and professional rates are different services, shown together to compare where they cluster. Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$74.13
Median
$74.13
Typical High
$79.43
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$44.67
Median
$81.28
Typical High
$138.04
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$56.23
Median
$64.57
Typical High
$64.57
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$186.21
Median
$309.03
Typical High
$478.63
Blue Shield
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$48.98
Median
$75.86
Typical High
$120.23
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$39.81
Median
$46.77
Typical High
$151.36
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$39.81
Median
$48.98
Typical High
$85.11
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$398.11
Median
$630.96
Typical High
$831.76
Lucent Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$707.95
Median
$707.95
Typical High
$707.95
Lucent Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$707.95
Median
$707.95
Typical High
$707.95
Providence
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$50.12
Median
$85.11
Typical High
$147.91
Providence
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$39.81
Median
$48.98
Typical High
$85.11
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,905.46
Median
$6,025.60
Typical High
$17,378.01
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$58.88
Median
$77.62
Typical High
$151.36

Where California sits

The same service costs 11.0 times more in Minnesota than in Nebraska. 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.

California· 29th of 51

$91.20

MN $617NE $56.23

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.