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Light-Based Imaging Of The Middle Ear

Ohio 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?

$135

Typical negotiated rate. In Ohio, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $135 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $135 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 8 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$135$70.79 to $200
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$54.95$42.66 to $2,042

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $55 · 10th to 90th $30 to $3,802Professionalmedian $135 · 10th to 90th $43 to $263
$100$1K$10Kfacility $55professional $135

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
$42.66
Median
$42.66
Typical High
$54.95
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$39.81
Median
$70.79
Typical High
$107.15
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$162.18
Median
$204.17
Typical High
$323.59
CareSource
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$42.66
Median
$371.54
Typical High
$41,686.94
CareSource
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$56.23
Median
$489.78
Typical High
$1,258.93
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$74.13
Median
$74.13
Typical High
$74.13
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$34.67
Median
$42.66
Typical High
$223.87
Medical Mutual of Ohio
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$34.67
Median
$42.66
Typical High
$181.97
Molina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$39.81
Median
$50.12
Typical High
$60.26
SummaCare
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$50.12
Median
$70.79
Typical High
$75.86
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$28.18
Median
$1,479.11
Typical High
$4,365.16
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$50.12
Median
$77.62
Typical High
$138.04

Where Ohio 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.

Ohio· 2nd of 51

$135

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.