Cost of a Cataract Surgery Visit
in California
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
California leads the nation in both healthcare innovation and cost complexity, with cataract surgery procedures varying significantly across the state's diverse metropolitan and rural regions. For Cataract Surgery visits, patients typically pay between $85 and $1,401, with a median negotiated rate of $1,210 based on insurer agreements with over 2,000 active providers statewide. Given California's extensive network of specialized eye care facilities from San Diego to Sacramento, patients can browse all providers to find the most cost-effective option for their specific insurance plan.
Average
$899
Median
$1,210
Lowest
$85
Highest
$1,401
Providers
2,015
1% above national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does cataract surgery compare to related procedures in California?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Endometrial Ablation Cost of endometrial ablation procedures including NovaSure (hysteroscopic), thermal balloon, and cryoablation, with state-by-state pricing. | 58563 | $245 | $1,904 | $6,978 | 778 |
| Chin Liposuction Cost of chin (submental) liposuction across the US, with state-by-state pricing for both office-based and ambulatory surgery center settings. | 15876 | $304 | $510 | $972 | 39 |
| Knee Replacement Total knee replacement (arthroplasty) | 27447 | $75 | $2,228 | $3,286 | 3,142 |
| Hip Replacement Total hip replacement (arthroplasty) | 27130 | $80 | $2,021 | $3,012 | 3,930 |
| Knee Arthroscopy Arthroscopy of the knee with meniscectomy | 29881 | $80 | $80 | $8,767 | 4,867 |
| Gallbladder Removal (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic cholecystectomy | 47562 | $75 | $1,094 | $1,714 | 6,358 |
| Appendectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic appendectomy | 44970 | $80 | $933 | $1,375 | 7,138 |
| Hysterectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic total hysterectomy | 58571 | $85 | $1,135 | $2,758 | 1,473 |
| Septoplasty Nasal septum repair | 30520 | $80 | $820 | $2,160 | 897 |
| Tonsillectomy Tonsillectomy, primary or secondary | 42820 | $80 | $265 | $705 | 1,717 |
| Inguinal Hernia Repair Inguinal hernia repair | 49505 | $423 | $975 | $1,216 | 2,424 |
| Mastectomy Partial or simple mastectomy | 19301 | $85 | $961 | $1,972 | 1,786 |
| Carpal Tunnel Surgery Open carpal tunnel release | 64721 | $80 | $261 | $1,930 | 2,261 |
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 California
These hospitals in California are top-rated for patient satisfaction. Review data sourced from HCAHPS Patient Survey.
SANTA CRUZ, CA
IRVINE, CA
FRESNO, CA
MAMMOTH LAKES, CA
TRUCKEE, CA
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 California
California's healthcare costs run approximately 18% above the national average, driven by the state's high cost of living, stringent regulatory environment, and concentrated markets in major metropolitan areas. The Golden State's unique geography creates dramatic cost variations between affluent coastal regions and underserved inland communities.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
The San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles basin have dense concentrations of subspecialty ophthalmologists, while the Central Valley and northern counties face significant provider shortages. This disparity forces rural patients to travel hundreds of miles for specialized cataract care, often paying premium rates at urban academic medical centers.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
Hospital-owned outpatient surgical centers in California carry substantially higher overhead costs due to facility fees, administrative complexity, and union labor requirements. Independent ambulatory surgical centers typically offer 30-50% lower rates, though they may have less comprehensive backup support for complex cases or complications.
Insurance Market Competition in California
Despite having major players like Anthem, Kaiser, and UHC, California's insurance market remains highly segmented by region, with limited competition in many counties. Kaiser's integrated model dominates certain markets, while Anthem Blue Cross holds significant market share in others, creating pricing power that keeps negotiated rates elevated.
Physician Supply and Demand in California
With over 2,000 active Cataract Surgery providers, California has adequate specialist supply in urban areas but faces shortages in rural regions. The high volume of providers in major metros creates competitive pricing pressure, while underserved areas command premium rates due to limited access and high demand from an aging population.
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 California
What is the average cost of a Cataract Surgery visit in California without insurance?
Does California Medicaid cover Cataract Surgery visits?
How do I find an affordable Cataract Surgery near me in California?
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 California?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Cataract Surgery in California?
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 |