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Light-Based Imaging Of The Middle Ear

South Dakota 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?

$60.26

Typical negotiated rate. In South Dakota, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $60.26 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $60.26 from a physician practice, and about $91.20 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$60.26$45.71 to $120
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$91.20$66.07 to $126

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $91 · 10th to 90th $63 to $170Professionalmedian $60 · 10th to 90th $46 to $155
$50$100$200$500$1K$2Kfacility $91professional $60

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
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$53.70
Median
$53.70
Typical High
$53.70
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$45.71
Median
$45.71
Typical High
$60.26
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$117.49
Median
$138.04
Typical High
$165.96
Medica
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$63.10
Median
$91.20
Typical High
$169.82
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$66.07
Median
$112.20
Typical High
$208.93
Midlands
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$53.70
Median
$138.04
Typical High
$165.96
Midlands
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$154.88
Median
$154.88
Typical High
$154.88
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,995.26
Median
$1,995.26
Typical High
$1,995.26
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$44.67
Median
$91.20
Typical High
$158.49

Where South Dakota 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 Dakota· 49th of 51

$60.26

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.