2026 Pricing Data
Cataract Surgery Cost in 2026
National Average Estimate
$5,000
Typical range: $3,500 – $7,000
Recovery
2–7 days
Risk Level
Low
Duration
15–30 min
Clinical Insight
Most medically-necessary cases are covered by major insurers. Plan verification recommended.
What you'll likely pay in 2026
Typical Out-of-Pocket: With Insurance vs Without
With Insurance
Typical Out-of-Pocket
$2,509–$3,240
- PPO (typical)$2,509
- HDHP (high-deductible)$3,240
- Medicare (outpatient)$506
Without Insurance / Cash-Pay
List Price Range
$3,500–$7,000
National average: $5,000
Hospital sticker before any insurance discount.
Hospital sticker before any insurance discount.
Insurance estimates use 2025 averages from the KFF Employer Health Benefits Survey: $1,886 avg deductible, 20% hospital coinsurance, OOP max $5,000 (typical PPO) to $8,300 (HDHP statutory). Medicare uses 2025 Part A deductible ($1,676) for inpatient and Part B 20% coinsurance for outpatient (CMS). Reflects employer-sponsored insurance and Original Medicare. Excludes Medicaid, ACA marketplace, and short-term plans. Real OOP varies by plan, network, and state.
On Medicare? See our dedicated Cataract Surgery Medicare cost breakdown with Original Medicare vs Medicare Advantage OOP and CMS facility-level reimbursement data by state.
Understanding the Investment
Key Takeaways
- National average: $5,000 (range: $3,500–$7,000)
- Insurance: Usually Covered — Standard cataract surgery is covered by Medicare and most insurance. Premium...
- Recovery: 2–7 days typical downtime
- Biggest cost driver: Facility type — outpatient centers can be 30–50% less than hospitals
Cataract surgery replaces your eye's clouded natural lens with an artificial one, restoring clearer vision. Prevalence of cataracts is high, affecting nearly 20 million Americans in 2021. This common procedure can significantly improve quality of life for those experiencing blurred or distorted vision.
Facility fees and surgeon's fees contribute significantly to the overall cost. The type of intraocular lens (IOL) you choose also impacts the price, with advanced lenses costing more than basic ones. These factors, combined with anesthesia and post-operative care, determine the final expense.
Consider having your procedure performed at an Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) rather than a hospital outpatient department, as ASCs often have lower facility fees. This shift has been growing in popularity over the last 20 years. For vision correction without cataracts, LASIK reshapes the cornea and is typically an elective procedure not covered by insurance. Confirm all costs with your provider before scheduling.
Interactive Cost Breakdown
Where does your money go?
Typical allocation for a cataract surgery procedure at the national average price point.
Facility Fee
30% of total · $1,050-$1,950
$1,050-$1,950
Hospital or surgical center facility charge
Surgeon Fee
30% of total · $1,050-$1,950
$1,050-$1,950
Surgeon professional fee
Implants & Supplies
15% of total · $525-$975
$525-$975
Implants, hardware, surgical supplies
Post-Op Care
15% of total · $525-$975
$525-$975
Hospital stay, follow-up visits, imaging
Anesthesia
10% of total · $350-$650
$350-$650
Anesthesiologist or CRNA fee
Go Deeper
Cataract Surgery Guides
Regional Variance
Cataract Surgery Cost by State
Geographic location plays a significant role — cost-of-living adjustments, regional demand for top specialists, and facility competition all affect pricing.
Most Affordable
5 Cheapest States
- Mississippi $4,425-11.5%
- West Virginia $4,490-10.2%
- Alabama $4,525-9.5%
- Arkansas $4,560-8.8%
- Missouri $4,590-8.2%
Premium Markets
5 Most Expensive States
- Hawaii $5,820+16.4%
- California $5,665+13.3%
- New York $5,640+12.8%
- Massachusetts $5,575+11.5%
- District of Columbia $5,525+10.5%
Cheaper
Pricier
State-by-State Pricing Atlas
Click any state to see detailed pricing, regional cost factors, and top cities.
Cataract Surgery Cost in All 50 States
Already seen the cheapest and most expensive? Expand the full sortable table to compare every state.
Show all 50 states (sortable) Hide all 50 states
| State ▲▼ | Avg Cost ▲▼ | vs National ▲▼ | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $4,525 | -9.5% | |
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| Alaska | $5,435 | +8.7% | |
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| Arizona | $5,040 | +0.8% | |
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| Arkansas | $4,560 | -8.8% | |
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| California | $5,665 | +13.3% | |
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| Colorado | $5,260 | +5.2% | |
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| Connecticut | $5,490 | +9.8% | |
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| Delaware | $5,125 | +2.5% | |
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| District of Columbia | $5,525 | +10.5% | |
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| Florida | $5,015 | +0.3% | |
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| Georgia | $4,900 | -2.0% | |
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| Hawaii | $5,820 | +16.4% | |
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| Idaho | $4,860 | -2.8% | |
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| Illinois | $5,060 | +1.2% | |
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| Indiana | $4,790 | -4.2% | |
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| Iowa | $4,775 | -4.5% | |
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| Kansas | $4,740 | -5.2% | |
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| Kentucky | $4,615 | -7.7% | |
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| Louisiana | $4,660 | -6.8% | |
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| Maine | $5,190 | +3.8% | |
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| Maryland | $5,340 | +6.8% | |
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| Massachusetts | $5,575 | +11.5% | |
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| Michigan | $4,975 | -0.5% | |
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| Minnesota | $5,175 | +3.5% | |
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| Mississippi | $4,425 | -11.5% | |
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| Missouri | $4,590 | -8.2% | |
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| Montana | $4,875 | -2.5% | |
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| Nebraska | $4,825 | -3.5% | |
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| Nevada | $5,025 | +0.5% | |
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| New Hampshire | $5,275 | +5.5% | |
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| New Jersey | $5,475 | +9.5% | |
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| New Mexico | $4,690 | -6.2% | |
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| New York | $5,640 | +12.8% | |
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| North Carolina | $4,940 | -1.2% | |
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| North Dakota | $4,760 | -4.8% | |
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| Ohio | $4,915 | -1.7% | |
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| Oklahoma | $4,640 | -7.2% | |
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| Oregon | $5,375 | +7.5% | |
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| Pennsylvania | $5,090 | +1.8% | |
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| Rhode Island | $5,240 | +4.8% | |
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| South Carolina | $4,675 | -6.5% | |
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| South Dakota | $4,840 | -3.2% | |
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| Tennessee | $4,710 | -5.8% | |
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| Texas | $4,810 | -3.8% | |
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| Utah | $4,960 | -0.8% | |
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| Vermont | $5,225 | +4.5% | |
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| Virginia | $5,160 | +3.2% | |
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| Washington | $5,360 | +7.2% | |
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| West Virginia | $4,490 | -10.2% | |
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| Wisconsin | $4,990 | -0.2% | |
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| Wyoming | $4,725 | -5.5% | |
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Grounded Data
Real Hospital Charges (CMS Medicare Data)
Across 1,366 hospitals and surgery centers in the CMS Medicare data for cataract surgery, average billed charges range from $2,231 to $184,166, with a national median of $12,090. The table below lists the highest-volume facilities by reported case count.
| Hospital | Location | Avg Billed Charge | Avg Medicare Payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Eye And Ear Infirmary - | Boston, MA | $7,552 | $2,484 |
| Cleveland Clinic | Cleveland, OH | $8,362 | $1,720 |
| Fresno Surgical Hospital | Fresno, CA | $10,928 | $2,131 |
| New York-Presbyterian Hospital | New York, NY | $20,456 | $2,366 |
| Northshore University Healthsystem Evanston Hosp | Evanston, IL | $16,553 | $1,830 |
| N Y Eye And Ear Infirmary | New York, NY | $12,988 | $2,365 |
| Riverside Regional Medical Center | Newport News, VA | $9,880 | $1,660 |
| University Of Michigan Health | Ann Arbor, MI | $22,633 | $1,951 |
| Univ Of Miami Hospital And Clinics-Sylvester Compr | Miami, FL | $26,470 | $1,874 |
| Ronald Reagan Ucla Medical Center | Los Angeles, CA | $12,050 | $2,536 |
| Lincoln Surgical Hospital | Lincoln, NE | $5,467 | $1,772 |
| Uab Callahan Eye Hospital Authority | Birmingham, AL | $12,744 | $1,969 |
| Willis Knighton Medical Center, Inc | Shreveport, LA | $13,570 | $1,665 |
| Lenox Hill Hospital | New York, NY | $17,409 | $2,360 |
| Mayo Clinic Hospital Rochester | Rochester, MN | $13,066 | $1,938 |
| Wills Eye Hospital | Philadelphia, PA | $10,834 | $2,567 |
| University Of Utah Hospitals And Clinics | Salt Lake City, UT | $7,988 | $1,871 |
| Nyu Langone Hospitals | New York, NY | $37,406 | $2,336 |
| Carolina East Medical Center | New Bern, NC | $7,743 | $1,842 |
| University Of Colorado Hospital Authority | Aurora, CO | $12,975 | $1,995 |
Billed charges are a hospital's list price and are typically far higher than what is actually paid. The Avg Medicare Payment column shows what Medicare actually reimbursed for the same procedure at that facility.
Source: CMS Medicare Provider Utilization and Payment Data (2023).
What Drives Price
Primary Pricing Factors
Three variables explain most of the cost variation you'll see across the same procedure.
Lens type — standard monofocal IOLs are covered by insurance; premium multifocal or toric lenses add $1,500-$4,000 per eye
Laser-assisted vs. traditional — femtosecond laser cataract surgery costs $1,000-$2,000 more per eye
One eye vs. both — surgeries are typically done 1-2 weeks apart, each billed separately
Timeline
The Road to Results
Recovery is an investment of time. Understanding the phases helps you plan downtime and set expectations.
Cataract surgery is a quick outpatient procedure with a relatively short recovery period. Before the surgery, you'll have a consultation with your ophthalmologist, including eye measurements and a discussion of IOL options. You may need to temporarily stop taking certain medications, like blood thinners, beforehand. On the day of the surgery, which typically lasts 15-30 minutes, you'll receive local anesthesia to numb your eye. The clouded lens will be removed and replaced with an artificial lens.
Immediately after surgery, you'll need someone to drive you home, so be sure to arrange transportation in advance. You'll likely experience blurry vision for the first 24-48 hours, and your eye may feel scratchy or sensitive. Full recovery usually takes between 2 and 7 days. Most people can return to work within a few days, but you should plan to take it easy. You'll have follow-up appointments to monitor your progress, and your vision should gradually improve over the following weeks.
01
Initial Recovery
2 days
Light activity, follow-up appointment. Most visible changes in this window.
02
Full Recovery
7 days
Return to normal activities, including most exercise and work routines.
03
Procedure Itself
15–30 min
Typical time under anesthesia or active treatment for a standard case.
Coverage & Financing
Paying for Cataract Surgery
Usually Covered by InsuranceStandard cataract surgery is covered by Medicare and most insurance. Premium IOLs and laser-assisted upgrades are out-of-pocket.
Financing Options
- Promotional financing — CareCredit's 24-month 0% APR plan is the most common way patients finance cataract surgery
- Provider installment plans — many practices let you start payments before surgery and continue after, spreading out the cost
- Tax-advantaged accounts — paying $5,000 through your HSA/FSA saves you 20-35% versus after-tax dollars
- Cash discounts — surgeons prefer upfront payment and often reduce the price by 10-20% for cash-pay patients
- Charitable care programs — some nonprofit surgical organizations offer reduced-cost procedures for qualifying patients
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does cataract surgery cost in 2026?
The national average cost of cataract surgery in 2026 is $5,000. Prices typically range from $3,500 to $7,000 depending on your location, surgeon, and facility.
Does insurance cover cataract surgery?
Coverage status: Usually Covered. Standard cataract surgery is covered by Medicare and most insurance. Premium IOLs and laser-assisted upgrades are out-of-pocket. Your out-of-pocket cost depends on your deductible, copay, and whether your provider is in-network.
What's the cheapest state for cataract surgery?
Mississippi ($4,425), West Virginia ($4,490), Alabama ($4,525) offer the lowest cataract surgery costs nationwide. The savings stem from lower facility fees, staff costs, and overall cost of living in these regions.
What affects cataract surgery cost?
Several factors determine your final cataract surgery price: lens type, laser-assisted vs. traditional, one eye vs. both, along with your surgeon's experience level and where you have the procedure done. See our state-by-state comparison above for geographic pricing differences.
How long is recovery after cataract surgery?
Plan for 2 to 7 days of recovery. Most patients return to desk work around day 2, with strenuous activity cleared around day 7. Factor in time off work and post-op care costs when budgeting beyond the procedure itself.
Where is cataract surgery most expensive?
The most expensive states for cataract surgery are Hawaii ($5,820), California ($5,665), New York ($5,640). Higher costs of living and demand for specialists drive prices up in these areas.