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Light-Based Imaging Of The Middle Ear

South 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?

$93.33

Typical negotiated rate. In South Carolina, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $93.33 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $93.33 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$93.33$67.61 to $115
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$100$67.61 to $148

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $100 · 10th to 90th $54 to $4,571Professionalmedian $93 · 10th to 90th $47 to $138
$50$200$1K$5Kfacility $100professional $93

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
$67.61
Median
$67.61
Typical High
$67.61
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$46.77
Median
$100.00
Typical High
$138.04
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$36.31
Median
$36.31
Typical High
$36.31
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$38.90
Median
$51.29
Typical High
$177.83
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$47.86
Median
$100.00
Typical High
$147.91
Molina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$30.20
Median
$30.20
Typical High
$30.20
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$158.49
Median
$6,025.60
Typical High
$9,120.11
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$63.10
Median
$83.18
Typical High
$144.54

Where South 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.

South Carolina· 27th of 51

$93.33

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.