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Light-Based Imaging Of The Middle Ear

North Carolina 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?

$105

Typical negotiated rate. In North Carolina, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $105 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $105 from a physician practice, and about $105 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$105$87.10 to $115
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$105$83.18 to $141

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $105 · 10th to 90th $55 to $708Professionalmedian $105 · 10th to 90th $71 to $158
$50$100$200$500$1K$2K$5Kfacility $105professional $105

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
$104.71
Median
$104.71
Typical High
$104.71
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$67.61
Median
$100.00
Typical High
$107.15
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$93.33
Median
$128.82
Typical High
$199.53
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$79.43
Median
$81.28
Typical High
$223.87
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$53.70
Median
$104.71
Typical High
$169.82
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$37.15
Median
$3,388.44
Typical High
$7,079.46
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$66.07
Median
$85.11
Typical High
$154.88
Wellcare
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$707.95
Median
$707.95
Typical High
$707.95
Wellcare
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$707.95
Median
$707.95
Typical High
$707.95

Where North Carolina 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.

North Carolina· 11th of 51

$105

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.