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Light-Based Imaging Of The Middle Ear

Virginia 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?

$105

Typical negotiated rate. In Virginia, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $105 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $107 from a physician practice, and about $87.10 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 7 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$107$83.18 to $195
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$87.10$56.23 to $141

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $87 · 10th to 90th $36 to $1,995Professionalmedian $107 · 10th to 90th $56 to $269
$20$100$500$2K$10Kfacility $87professional $107

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
$83.18
Median
$83.18
Typical High
$107.15
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$54.95
Median
$93.33
Typical High
$138.04
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$165.96
Median
$218.78
Typical High
$323.59
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$28.84
Median
$45.71
Typical High
$91.20
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$61.66
Median
$102.33
Typical High
$234.42
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$44.67
Median
$53.70
Typical High
$67.61
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$53.70
Median
$93.33
Typical High
$154.88
Sentara
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$29.51
Median
$69.18
Typical High
$213.80
Sentara
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$31.62
Median
$89.13
Typical High
$354.81
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$66.07
Median
$2,951.21
Typical High
$7,079.46
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$51.29
Median
$83.18
Typical High
$151.36

Where Virginia 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.

Virginia· 12th of 51

$105

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.