go back

Light-Based Imaging Of The Middle Ear

Minnesota 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?

$617

Typical negotiated rate. In Minnesota, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $617 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $617 from a physician practice, and about $117 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$617$93.33 to $692
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$117$69.18 to $1,738

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $117 · 10th to 90th $60 to $3,802Professionalmedian $617 · 10th to 90th $60 to $692
$50$200$1K$5Kfacility $117professional $617

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
$60.26
Median
$60.26
Typical High
$60.26
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$42.66
Median
$70.79
Typical High
$117.49
BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$61.66
Median
$144.54
Typical High
$3,801.89
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$549.54
Median
$691.83
Typical High
$691.83
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$74.13
Median
$74.13
Typical High
$74.13
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$93.33
Median
$151.36
Typical High
$223.87
Health Partners
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$102.33
Median
$120.23
Typical High
$120.23
Medica
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$51.29
Median
$91.20
Typical High
$3,388.44
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$72.44
Median
$120.23
Typical High
$707.95
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$97.72
Median
$2,238.72
Typical High
$6,760.83
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$51.29
Median
$93.33
Typical High
$199.53

Where Minnesota 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.

Minnesota· 1st of 51

$617

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.