Cataract Surgery Medicare Cost in 2026

Yes. Original Medicare (Part B) covers medically necessary cataract surgery in both eyes, including the standard monofocal IOL, facility fee, anesthesia, and one pair of corrective glasses or contact lenses afterward. You pay the 2026 Part B deductible ($257) plus 20% coinsurance on the Medicare-approved amount. Premium IOLs (toric, multifocal) are not covered.

Original Medicare beneficiaries typically pay $384–$598 per eye out-of-pocket for standard cataract surgery, after meeting the Part B deductible. The lower end applies to ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs); the higher end applies to hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs). Numbers are from the CMS Procedure Price Lookup. Medigap supplemental plans (especially Plans G and N) cover most or all of this OOP.

Original Medicare (Parts A & B) uses fixed federal rates. You pay 20% coinsurance with no annual OOP cap unless you have Medigap supplemental coverage. Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans typically charge a flat copay ($0–$300 per eye) for outpatient surgery and have an annual OOP max ($9,350 statutory in-network for 2026). MA plans require in-network providers and increasingly use prior authorization. Verify coverage with your specific plan.

No. Medicare only covers a standard monofocal intraocular lens. If you choose a toric IOL (corrects astigmatism), expect to pay $1,200–$1,800 per eye out-of-pocket as an upgrade. Multifocal or extended-depth-of-focus IOLs (which reduce dependence on glasses) typically cost $2,500–$4,000 per eye as an upgrade. Femtosecond laser-assisted surgery to support a premium IOL adds another $500–$1,500 per eye. These upgrades are paid in addition to your standard Medicare cost-share.

Yes. Medicare covers medically necessary cataract surgery on both eyes, but the surgeries are typically scheduled separately — usually 2 to 8 weeks apart. Each eye is billed as a separate procedure, so you pay your Part B coinsurance on each one. The Part B deductible is annual, so you only meet it once per calendar year regardless of how many surgeries you have.

Yes. Medicare Part B covers the pre-operative eye exam, biometry measurements (used to select the right lens power), and post-operative follow-up visits for medically necessary cataract surgery. You pay the standard 20% coinsurance after the Part B deductible.

Yes — and most beneficiaries with Medigap pay $0 out-of-pocket for cataract surgery. Plan G and Plan N (the most common modern Medigap policies) cover the 20% Part B coinsurance entirely, so you only owe the Part B deductible ($257 for 2026, which Plan G covers and Plan N does not). Older Plan F policies cover both. Premium IOL upgrades are still out-of-pocket regardless of Medigap.

Original Medicare covers cataract surgery at any facility that accepts Medicare, including ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) and hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs). Facility choice affects your cost: ASC cost-share is typically lower because the Medicare-approved amount is lower at ASCs. Medicare Advantage plans usually require in-network facilities — verify with your plan before scheduling.