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Light-Based Imaging Of The Middle Ear

Montana 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?

$100

Typical negotiated rate. In Montana, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $100 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $87.10 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 5 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$87.10$70.79 to $112
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$100$100 to $105

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $100 · 10th to 90th $71 to $123Professionalmedian $87 · 10th to 90th $52 to $138
$50$100facility $100professional $87

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
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$52.48
Median
$83.18
Typical High
$138.04
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$93.33
Median
$93.33
Typical High
$109.65
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$83.18
Median
$93.33
Typical High
$138.04
MountainHealth Co-op
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$100.00
Median
$102.33
Typical High
$112.20
MountainHealth Co-op
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$100.00
Median
$102.33
Typical High
$112.20
Providence
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$52.48
Median
$83.18
Typical High
$138.04
Providence
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$83.18
Median
$93.33
Typical High
$138.04
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$77.62
Median
$81.28
Typical High
$134.90

Where Montana 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.

Montana· 16th of 51

$100

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.