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Light-Based Imaging Of The Middle Ear

Iowa 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?

$83.18

Typical negotiated rate. In Iowa, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $83.18 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $83.18 from a physician practice, and about $100 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 6 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$83.18$52.48 to $105
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$100$60.26 to $251

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $100 · 10th to 90th $54 to $5,888Professionalmedian $83 · 10th to 90th $39 to $135
$50$100$200$500$1K$2K$5Kfacility $100professional $83

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
$53.70
Median
$53.70
Typical High
$53.70
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$38.90
Median
$56.23
Typical High
$123.03
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$43.65
Median
$131.83
Typical High
$181.97
Hally Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$151.36
Median
$151.36
Typical High
$151.36
Medica
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$56.23
Median
$128.82
Typical High
$4,897.79
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$72.44
Median
$107.15
Typical High
$707.95
Midlands
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$53.70
Median
$138.04
Typical High
$186.21
Midlands
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$53.70
Median
$181.97
Typical High
$181.97
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$57.54
Median
$102.33
Typical High
$7,413.10
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$70.79
Median
$89.13
Typical High
$151.36

Where Iowa 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.

Iowa· 37th of 51

$83.18

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.