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Light-Based Imaging Of The Middle Ear

West 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?

$100

Typical negotiated rate. In West Virginia, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $100 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $100 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 3 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$100$46.77 to $107
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$100$100 to $100

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $100 · 10th to 90th $74 to $100Professionalmedian $100 · 10th to 90th $47 to $115
$50$100$200$500facility $100professional $100

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
$100.00
Median
$100.00
Typical High
$100.00
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$46.77
Median
$100.00
Typical High
$112.20
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$74.13
Median
$74.13
Typical High
$74.13
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$223.87
Median
$223.87
Typical High
$223.87
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$64.57
Median
$104.71
Typical High
$758.58
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$44.67
Median
$85.11
Typical High
$144.54

Where West 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.

West Virginia· 13th of 51

$100

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.