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Light-Based Imaging Of The Middle Ear

Rhode Island 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?

$83.18

Typical negotiated rate. In Rhode Island, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $83.18 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $83.18 from a physician practice, and about $1,514 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 4 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$83.18$74.13 to $85.11
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$1,514$74.13 to $3,631

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $1,514 · 10th to 90th $66 to $6,457Professionalmedian $83 · 10th to 90th $74 to $89
$50$100$200$500$1K$2K$5Kfacility $1,514professional $83

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. Small sample; interpret with caution. Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$74.13
Median
$83.18
Typical High
$89.13
BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$56.23
Median
$72.44
Typical High
$91.20
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$190.55
Median
$190.55
Typical High
$190.55
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$38.02
Median
$38.02
Typical High
$42.66
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,513.56
Median
$3,548.13
Typical High
$7,244.36
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$56.23
Median
$81.28
Typical High
$117.49

Where Rhode Island 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.

Rhode Island· 38th of 51

$83.18

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.