go back

Light-Based Imaging Of The Middle Ear

Michigan 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?

$70.79

Typical negotiated rate. In Michigan, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $70.79 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $70.79 from a physician practice, and about $54.95 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 7 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$70.79$42.66 to $95.50
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$54.95$54.95 to $2,138

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $55 · 10th to 90th $30 to $4,786Professionalmedian $71 · 10th to 90th $35 to $138
$50$200$1K$5Kfacility $55professional $71

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
$54.95
Median
$54.95
Typical High
$54.95
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$39.81
Median
$75.86
Typical High
$138.04
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$44.67
Median
$44.67
Typical High
$44.67
BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$29.51
Median
$35.48
Typical High
$35.48
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$30.90
Median
$35.48
Typical High
$37.15
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$34.67
Median
$40.74
Typical High
$151.36
Health Alliance Plan
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$54.95
Median
$457.09
Typical High
$512.86
Health Alliance Plan
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$54.95
Median
$173.78
Typical High
$234.42
Priority Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$131.83
Median
$131.83
Typical High
$131.83
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$29.51
Median
$97.72
Typical High
$5,370.32
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$63.10
Median
$83.18
Typical High
$128.82

Where Michigan 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.

Michigan· 46th of 51

$70.79

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.