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Light-Based Imaging Of The Middle Ear

Tennessee 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 Tennessee, 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 $2,138 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$70.79 to $117
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$2,138$708 to $3,467

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $2,138 · 10th to 90th $93 to $4,898Professionalmedian $93 · 10th to 90th $40 to $148
$50$200$1K$5Kfacility $2,138professional $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
$93.33
Median
$93.33
Typical High
$117.49
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$38.90
Median
$93.33
Typical High
$147.91
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$67.61
Median
$102.33
Typical High
$169.82
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$34.67
Median
$13,489.63
Typical High
$21,379.62
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$42.66
Median
$63.10
Typical High
$138.04
Lucent Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$707.95
Median
$707.95
Typical High
$707.95
Lucent Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$707.95
Median
$707.95
Typical High
$707.95
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$97.72
Median
$2,511.89
Typical High
$4,677.35
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$67.61
Median
$81.28
Typical High
$138.04

Where Tennessee 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.

Tennessee· 18th 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.