Cost of a Cataract Surgery Visit
in Arkansas
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
Arkansas ranks among the states with the highest rates of cataracts and age-related vision loss, making access to affordable eye surgery specialists particularly important for residents. Patients typically pay between $85 and $1,042 for Cataract Surgery procedures, with a median negotiated rate of $746 based on actual insurer contracts. Arkansas maintains a network of 118 active Cataract Surgery providers across the state, allowing patients to compare options and find quality care close to home.
Average
$624
Median
$746
Lowest
$85
Highest
$1,042
Providers
118
30% below national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does cataract surgery compare to related procedures in Arkansas?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knee Replacement Total knee replacement (arthroplasty) | 27447 | $1,138 | $1,894 | $2,603 | 99 |
| Hip Replacement Total hip replacement (arthroplasty) | 27130 | $90 | $1,839 | $2,535 | 109 |
| Knee Arthroscopy Arthroscopy of the knee with meniscectomy | 29881 | $479 | $752 | $1,034 | 99 |
| Gallbladder Removal (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic cholecystectomy | 47562 | $416 | $929 | $1,328 | 117 |
| Appendectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic appendectomy | 44970 | $85 | $840 | $1,236 | 140 |
| Hysterectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic total hysterectomy | 58571 | $85 | $1,180 | $1,600 | 113 |
| Septoplasty Nasal septum repair | 30520 | $433 | $887 | $1,074 | 102 |
| Tonsillectomy Tonsillectomy, primary or secondary | 42820 | $85 | $399 | $561 | 111 |
| Inguinal Hernia Repair Inguinal hernia repair | 49505 | $461 | $734 | $1,043 | 96 |
| Mastectomy Partial or simple mastectomy | 19301 | $85 | $833 | $1,107 | 109 |
| Carpal Tunnel Surgery Open carpal tunnel release | 64721 | $294 | $596 | $790 | 105 |
Important: These are cost estimates only — not a quote and not medical advice.
The prices on this page are self-pay rates, drawn from federal Transparency in Coverage machine-readable files (CPT 66984 — Extracapsular cataract removal with insertion of intraocular lens). They represent what a patient might pay without insurance.
Your actual cost depends on: your specific insurance plan, your remaining deductible, your coinsurance percentage, whether you have met your out-of-pocket maximum, whether the facility and provider are both in-network, and any separate anesthesia or implant fees billed independently.
This page does not constitute medical advice. Whether you need this procedure, and which approach is right for you, is a decision to make with a licensed healthcare provider.
Where this data comes from & what CPT 66984 covers
Data source: Cost figures are derived from UnitedHealthcare Transparency in Coverage machine-readable files for CPT code 66984 (Extracapsular cataract removal with insertion of intraocular lens), as mandated by the CMS Price Transparency Rule.
What CPT 66984 covers: the provider's professional fee for cataract surgery. It does not include facility/hospital fees, anesthesia, pre-operative imaging, post-operative care, or any add-on codes billed separately.
How to read this data
Negotiated Rate
The discounted price an insurer has agreed to pay a specific provider. Most insured patients' bills are calculated from this number, not the higher list price hospitals publish separately.
P5, Median, P95
P5 is the rate at the 5th percentile (low end), Median is the middle value, and P95 is the 95th percentile (high end). This range shows how much the same visit can vary between providers.
What this does not tell you
These rates do not tell you what you personally will pay out of pocket. That depends on your specific plan, how much of your deductible you have already met, your coinsurance rate, and whether the provider is in your network. Call your insurer's member line to get your exact estimate.
Top-Rated Hospitals in Arkansas
These hospitals in Arkansas are top-rated for patient satisfaction. Review data sourced from HCAHPS Patient Survey.
FAYETTEVILLE, AR
NASHVILLE, AR
LITTLE ROCK, AR
BRYANT, AR
NO LITTLE ROCK, AR
Hospital ratings are based on HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) survey data published by CMS.
Why Cataract Surgery Visit Costs Vary Across Arkansas
Arkansas eye surgery costs run approximately 12% below the national average, reflecting the state's lower cost of living and reduced physician overhead expenses compared to coastal markets. The state's mix of rural communities and small urban centers creates distinct pricing patterns, with Little Rock and Fayetteville typically offering the most competitive rates due to provider concentration.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
Arkansas's 75 counties include many rural areas where residents must travel 50+ miles to reach a qualified Cataract Surgery specialist, often driving to Little Rock, Fort Smith, or Fayetteville for care. This geographic disparity can increase total care costs due to travel expenses and time off work, while urban areas benefit from multiple competing practices that help keep procedure prices competitive.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
Hospital-based outpatient surgery centers in Arkansas, particularly those affiliated with major health systems like Arkansas Children's Hospital or UAMS, typically charge higher facility fees than independent ambulatory surgery centers. Independent practices often have lower overhead costs and can offer more flexible payment options, though they may have less advanced equipment for complex cases.
Insurance Market Competition in Arkansas
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arkansas dominates the state's insurance market with over 60% market share, giving the insurer significant leverage in negotiating rates with eye surgery providers. This market concentration can limit price competition among insurers but often results in broader provider networks and more predictable coverage policies across the state.
Physician Supply and Demand in Arkansas
With 118 active Cataract Surgery providers serving a population of approximately 3 million residents, Arkansas maintains adequate specialist coverage in urban areas but faces shortages in rural counties. This supply distribution affects both pricing and wait times, with rural patients often experiencing longer delays for non-urgent procedures while urban markets offer more immediate availability and competitive pricing.
Jayant Panwar
CEO, Momentary Labs · San Francisco, CA
Jayant has analyzed healthcare pricing data from CMS Transparency in Coverage files since 2022, covering more than 50 million negotiated rate records across all 50 states. His work focuses on making insurer machine-readable files accessible to patients and researchers.
The cost figures on this page reflect his ongoing work to make this data accessible to patients.
Frequently Asked Questions — Cataract Surgery Costs in Arkansas
What is the average cost of a Cataract Surgery visit in Arkansas without insurance?
Does Arkansas Medicaid cover Cataract Surgery visits?
How do I find an affordable Cataract Surgery near me in Arkansas?
What is the difference in cost between an initial consultation and a follow-up visit?
Can I use an HSA or FSA to pay for a Cataract Surgery visit in Arkansas?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Cataract Surgery in Arkansas?
Click a state to compare costs
Average Visit Cost
Office visit (CPT 66984)
Compare With Other States
| Rank | State | Average↓ |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wisconsin Range: $80 – $10,062 | $3,412 |
| 2 | Wyoming Range: $667 – $2,130 | $1,240 |
| 3 | Rhode Island Range: $448 – $2,135 | $1,181 |
| 4 | Massachusetts Range: $403 – $2,078 | $1,139 |
| 5 | Montana Range: $85 – $2,744 | $1,127 |
| 6 | Delaware Range: $343 – $2,135 | $1,056 |
| 7 | Nebraska Range: $641 – $1,313 | $1,055 |
| 8 | Washington Range: $616 – $1,521 | $1,034 |
| 9 | New Hampshire Range: $528 – $1,548 | $1,023 |
| 10 | New York Range: $364 – $2,135 | $1,005 |
| 11 | Colorado Range: $85 – $2,114 | $1,003 |
| 12 | New Mexico Range: $474 – $1,551 | $982 |
| 13 | Alaska Range: $85 – $2,135 | $972 |
| 14 | Georgia Range: $93 – $2,005 | $970 |
| 15 | Connecticut Range: $70 – $2,135 | $961 |
| 16 | Pennsylvania Range: $85 – $2,135 | $946 |
| 17 | Maine Range: $643 – $1,123 | $945 |
| 18 | North Carolina Range: $390 – $1,609 | $940 |
| 19 | California Range: $85 – $1,401 | $899 |
| 20 | Nevada Range: $415 – $1,453 | $892 |
| 21 | District of Columbia Range: $414 – $1,311 | $871 |
| 22 | Vermont Range: $403 – $1,548 | $865 |
| 23 | Iowa Range: $85 – $1,313 | $861 |
| 24 | Oregon Range: $85 – $1,687 | $858 |
| 25 | North Dakota Range: $80 – $1,609 | $812 |
| 26 | Mississippi Range: $430 – $1,451 | $806 |
| 27 | Minnesota Range: $90 – $1,548 | $800 |
| 28 | Utah Range: $85 – $1,209 | $791 |
| 29 | New Jersey Range: $364 – $1,380 | $790 |
| 30 | South Carolina Range: $327 – $1,383 | $785 |
| 31 | Illinois Range: $418 – $1,200 | $771 |
| 32 | Alabama Range: $418 – $1,195 | $767 |
| 33 | Idaho Range: $85 – $1,348 | $743 |
| 34 | Tennessee Range: $418 – $1,090 | $741 |
| 35 | Hawaii Range: $85 – $1,386 | $739 |
| 36 | Louisiana Range: $226 – $1,345 | $730 |
| 37 | South Dakota Range: $95 – $1,313 | $729 |
| 38 | West Virginia Range: $85 – $1,409 | $721 |
| 39 | Maryland Range: $477 – $1,083 | $714 |
| 40 | Kansas Range: $502 – $912 | $711 |
| 41 | Virginia Range: $360 – $1,157 | $710 |
| 42 | Indiana Range: $70 – $1,385 | $708 |
| 43 | Kentucky Range: $85 – $1,313 | $691 |
| 44 | Missouri Range: $502 – $811 | $680 |
| 45 | Ohio Range: $335 – $1,087 | $678 |
| 46 | Texas Range: $85 – $1,210 | $662 |
| 47 | Michigan Range: $85 – $1,073 | $645 |
| 48 | Arkansas Range: $85 – $1,042 | $624 |
| 49 | Arizona Range: $448 – $898 | $614 |
| 50 | Oklahoma Range: $85 – $960 | $525 |
| 51 | Florida Range: $35 – $964 | $351 |