In the United States, most insurance companies cover the majority or all of the costs associated with cataract surgery. When we recommend cataract surgery to our patients, we explain the cost of the surgery and verify how much of it will be covered their insurance policy before booking a surgery date. Patients without commercial health insurance or Medicare will have to pay for their surgery.
According to a study done by AllAboutVision.com, the nationwide average for cataract surgery was $3,432 per eye in 2014. For patients who chose to have a premium intraocular lens (IOL)1 placed, the average cost increased to $4,591 per eye due to the higher cost associated with this type of IOL. These numbers represent a nationwide average – the actual cost of cataract surgery can vary quite dramatically based on a number of factors. These include:
If cataract surgery2 is determined to be medically necessary, then your commercial medical insurance or Medicare policy will cover cataract surgery. You do not need to have a separate vision insurance policy, which covers glasses and contact lenses, for the surgery to be covered. Your policy, however, may not cover the entire cost of your surgery. Medical insurance policies do not typically cover all of the costs associated with:
This is because the insurance companies consider these variations to be premium or elective options that are not medically necessary. For many people, a premium IOL will give them complete independence from glasses. Laser cataract surgery can be used to reduce astigmatism3, improve surgical precision 10-fold, and quicken your visual recovery. Because these variations are highly beneficial, many patients choose to cover the additional costs associated with premium IOLs and laser cataract surgery.
During your initial consultation, our skilled team will conduct a thorough examination of your eye to confirm that a cataract is present and affecting your vision. Important information will be reviewed with you and you’ll be given some homework to read and review so you can understand your options. At your next visit, you will return for eye measurements that will help us select the IOL to best suit your individual needs. Standard cataract surgery is typically covered by insurance, but if there are any questions, we will then contact your medical insurance company to determine how much of your surgery will be covered and if there will be any out-of-pocket costs.
When a patient’s surgery is not covered by their insurance policy, or they are out-of-network, or if they don’t have insurance, we take the time to explain what costs will be incurred and will offer covered alternatives, if necessary. If you need cataract surgery, rest assured that our team will offer you the best options for your needs and budget.
Our current pricing for cash pay standard cataract surgery is : $3,705 per eye
This includes your initial visit, preoperative testing which includes the Wavefront Refraction (helps select which standard IOL will give you the sharpest vision), the surgery itself, anesthesiology fees, ambulatory surgery center fees, instrumentation, standard intraocular lens (IOL), postoperative care. Ocular medications needed after surgery are not included.
References
1 IOL Implants: Lens Replacement After Cataracts. Available: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/cataracts-iol-implants
2 Cataract surgery. Available: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cataract-surgery/
3 Astigmatism. Available: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/astigmatism/symptoms-causes/syc-20353835
Beach Eye Medical Group is all you need to get your eyes checked. The place is clean, the staff is really friendly and helpful. I saw Dr. Khalil Semana he was very clear, friendly and have me a peace of mind on my worries being a diabetic type 1. As a diabetic it is extremely important to have a group a doctors that will help you and give the right treatment if needed to have a healthy life style. I recommend anyone to go to Beach Eye Medical Group if you're in need to have an eye check.
