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    OpenPayerBilling CodesOptical Coherence Tomography (Ear)CPT cpt-0486t-middle-ear-oct-imaging-bilateral
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    CPT 0486T: Middle Ear Optical Coherence Tomography, Bilateral

    CPT code 0486T describes bilateral optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the middle ear, a noninvasive imaging procedure that uses light waves to generate three-dimensional tissue images; the service includes acquisition, interpretation, and report and is typically performed in an outpatient otolaryngology clinic or ambulatory surgery setting for diagnostic evaluation of middle ear structures.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Navigated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Preoperative Brain Mapping, Navigated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Preoperative Brain Mapping, Navigated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Preoperative Brain Mapping.

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 45-year-old patient presents to an otology clinic with persistent unilateral aural fullness, intermittent otalgia, and conductive hearing loss following chronic otitis media and prior tympanostomy tube placement. Otoscopic exam is limited by a cloudy tympanic membrane and recurrent adhesive middle-ear disease. The otologist schedules an in‑office optical coherence tomography (OCT) examination of the middle ear to evaluate middle‑ear mucosal thickening, tympanic membrane integrity, and ossicular relationships. The procedure is performed with the patient seated in an outpatient clinic procedure room. Topical anesthetic may be applied to the external auditory canal for comfort. The provider introduces an OCT probe through the external auditory canal to obtain cross‑sectional and three‑dimensional images of the tympanic membrane and middle‑ear structures for diagnostic assessment. The service includes real‑time interpretation and a written report documenting findings and clinical impressions. Results guide decisions about medical therapy, need for surgical intervention (for example, tympanoplasty or ossiculoplasty), or continued observation.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    92567Tympanometry and reflex threshold measurementsPerformed alongside OCT to evaluate middle‑ear pressure and mobility, complementing structural OCT images.
    92544Acoustic reflex testing, threshold measurementUsed with OCT when assessing middle‑ear reflexes and ossicular chain function.
    69210Removal foreign body, external ear; under general anesthesiaMay be performed after OCT identifies impacted material requiring removal in the external ear or canal.
    69200Removal of impacted cerumen (one or both ears)Performed prior to OCT if cerumen obstructs visualization or probe placement.
    69631Myringotomy with tube insertion, with general anesthesiaSurgical intervention that may follow OCT if middle‑ear effusion or chronic eustachian tube dysfunction is confirmed.

    Related Modifiers

    7 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    26Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    56Modifier ‑56 indicates the reporting provider furnished only the preoperative management for a surgical procedure and did not perform the intraoperative or postoperative care. It is used in…- Use Modifier -56 when a provider performs only the preoperative management in a split‑care situation (one physician manages preop care while a different physician performs the intraoperative…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    80CPT® Modifier 80 (Assistant Surgeon) is appended to a surgical CPT code when a physician (MD or DO) provides full, continuous assistance throughout the operative procedure. It is intended only for…- Use CPT Modifier -80 when a physician (MD or DO) serves as an assistant surgeon and provides full, continuous assistance throughout the entire operative procedure; append -80 to the surgical CPT…
    82Modifier 82 is appended to a surgical CPT code to indicate that an attending physician acted as an assistant because a qualified resident surgeon was unavailable. In teaching hospitals it documents…- When to use: Append modifier 82 in teaching-hospital settings to indicate a physician served as an assistant surgeon because a qualified resident surgeon was unavailable (includes situations where…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207Y00000X
    2080P0208X
    363LA2200X
    2084P0804X
    3336M0002X
    156FX1700X
    237700000X
    207PP0204X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    11 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    H67.1Otitis media in diseases classified elsewhere, right ear
    H67.9Otitis media in diseases classified elsewhere, unspecified ear
    H81.4Vertigo of central origin
    H83.09Labyrinthitis, unspecified ear
    H90.3Sensorineural hearing loss, bilateral
    H90.5Unspecified sensorineural hearing loss
    H92.01Otalgia, right ear
    H92.02Otalgia, left ear
    H92.09Otalgia, unspecified ear
    R04.0Epistaxis

    Showing 1–10 of 11

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Neurology/Neurosurgery1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Navigated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Preoperative Brain Mappingpremerabluecrossofwashington2027-02-05
    Navigated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Preoperative Brain Mappingpremerabluecrossofwashington2027-02-05
    Navigated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Preoperative Brain Mappingpremerabluecrossofwashington2027-02-05
    Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) Inhibitors: Vyepti (eptinezumab-jjmr)Mass General Brigham Health Plan2027-01-04
    Clinical Review Criteria Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring (IONM)Kaiser Permanente2027-01-01
    Open Neuroplasty Lumbar PlexusCigna2026-12-15
    Laser Interstitial Thermal TherapyCigna2026-11-15
    Remote Electrical Neuromodulation for Migraines (i.e., Nerivio®)bcbsvermont2026-11-01
    Artificial Cervical Intervertebral Discuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Lumbar Microdiscectomyuniverahealthcare2026-10-15

    Related Codes

    CPT-0485T-MIDDLE-EAR-OPTICAL-COHERENCE-TOMOGRAPHY

    CPT 0485T: Middle Ear Optical Coherence Tomography, Unilateral

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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