Cataract Surgery Cost

Without health insurance, the average price of cataract surgery is $3,000. However, cataract surgery cost varies, as it is dependent on several factors. After diagnosis, an experienced cataract surgeon will be able to determine the severity of your cataract and the type of surgery necessary to better estimate the price of treatment. The maturity of the cataract, type of cataract removal surgery, and choice of lens replacement all affect cataract surgery cost.

Variations in the Cost of Cataracts Treatment

The price of your treatment will depend on the type of treatment needed and the surgeon you choose. The surgeon, facility, and part of the country where you elect to have your cataract surgery performed will alter the cost of treatment.

Another factor that can affect the cost of cataract treatment is the method of lens replacement used. After the natural lens of the eye is removed during cataract surgery, your surgeon will replace the lens with an intraocular lens (IOL). Most insurance companies will cover the cost of the IOL when it is used to replace a natural lens that has been affected by a cataract.

Is Cataract Surgery Covered by Health Insurance?

As cataract sufferers know, it is impossible to put a price on something as essential as clear vision. Fortunately, health insurance providers understand this and have begun to cover the cost of cataract surgery involving a conventional intraocular lens or IOL. In most cases the cost of treatment is covered by Medicare, HMOs, and other health insurance plans.

The type of surgery and lens you choose may raise the cost of your cataract treatment. For example, if you choose a multifocal IOL for near, far, and intermediate vision with reduced dependence on corrective eyewear, you can expect the price of your cataract surgery to increase. Your insurance may not fully cover these advanced types of IOLs. Most often, insurance offers to pay the cost of a conventional IOL, and the patient is responsible for paying the difference. Contact your health care provider for more information about cataract surgery coverage.

Cataract Surgery Financing

If your vision has become impaired due to cataracts, cataract surgery is a common and effective way to regain crisp vision. The American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) reports that 98 percent of patients experience success with this procedure. However, because most insurance companies agree that clear vision is not optional, patients with debilitating cataracts have many financing options. Cataract surgery cost varies depending on the treatment you choose, cataract types, and cataract stages of progression. Talk to a cataract surgeon in your area to find out what financing options are available to you.

Contact a Specialist in Your Area for More Information on Cataract Surgery

Because cataract surgery cost varies from area to area, and from surgeon to surgeon, it is important to fully research cataract specialists to make the ideal choice for your vision needs and budget. For cataract diagnosis that can produce a more exact estimate for the price of your treatment, locate a qualified ophthalmologist in your area.