go back

Light-Based Imaging Of The Middle Ear

Illinois 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?

$67.61

Typical negotiated rate. In Illinois, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $67.61 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $69.18 from a physician practice, and about $53.70 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$69.18$46.77 to $95.50
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$53.70$33.88 to $1,622

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $54 · 10th to 90th $32 to $3,981Professionalmedian $69 · 10th to 90th $37 to $138
$50$200$1K$5Kfacility $54professional $69

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
$33.88
Median
$33.88
Typical High
$33.88
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$33.88
Median
$58.88
Typical High
$138.04
BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$47.86
Median
$53.70
Typical High
$64.57
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$48.98
Median
$104.71
Typical High
$112.20
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$38.02
Median
$38.90
Typical High
$107.15
Hally Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$100.00
Median
$199.53
Typical High
$346.74
Hally Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$100.00
Median
$100.00
Typical High
$100.00
Molina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,513.56
Median
$1,513.56
Typical High
$2,511.89
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$31.62
Median
$1,412.54
Typical High
$7,244.36
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$67.61
Median
$91.20
Typical High
$134.90

Where Illinois 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.

Illinois· 48th of 51

$67.61

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.