Cost of a Cataract Surgery Visit
in Georgia
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
Georgia's healthcare landscape features over 3,200 Cataract Surgery providers across major metro areas like Atlanta and Savannah, yet the state's decision not to expand Medicaid creates unique cost challenges for patients. Cataract Surgery patients typically pay between $93 and $2,005, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $811, reflecting negotiated rates that run approximately 9% above national averages. Browse all Cataract Surgery providers in Georgia to compare costs and find the most affordable option in your area.
Average
$970
Median
$811
Lowest
$93
Highest
$2,005
Providers
3,287
9% above national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does cataract surgery compare to related procedures in Georgia?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knee Replacement Total knee replacement (arthroplasty) | 27447 | $1,131 | $2,136 | $5,082 | 2,851 |
| Hip Replacement Total hip replacement (arthroplasty) | 27130 | $1,115 | $2,021 | $5,088 | 2,920 |
| Knee Arthroscopy Arthroscopy of the knee with meniscectomy | 29881 | $450 | $854 | $2,024 | 2,855 |
| Gallbladder Removal (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic cholecystectomy | 47562 | $553 | $1,141 | $2,490 | 2,917 |
| Appendectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic appendectomy | 44970 | $85 | $976 | $2,038 | 3,158 |
| Hysterectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic total hysterectomy | 58571 | $85 | $1,337 | $2,855 | 3,043 |
| Septoplasty Nasal septum repair | 30520 | $499 | $950 | $2,190 | 2,853 |
| Tonsillectomy Tonsillectomy, primary or secondary | 42820 | $196 | $478 | $981 | 3,030 |
| Inguinal Hernia Repair Inguinal hernia repair | 49505 | $421 | $902 | $1,969 | 2,843 |
| Mastectomy Partial or simple mastectomy | 19301 | $350 | $982 | $2,473 | 3,025 |
| Carpal Tunnel Surgery Open carpal tunnel release | 64721 | $344 | $646 | $1,930 | 2,848 |
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 Georgia
These hospitals in Georgia are top-rated for patient satisfaction. Review data sourced from HCAHPS Patient Survey.
BREMEN, GA
REIDSVILLE, GA
CHATSWORTH, GA
Fort Gordon, GA
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 Georgia
Georgia's healthcare costs run approximately 1% below the national average, reflecting the state's lower cost of living compared to coastal regions. The state's mix of urban medical centers and rural communities creates significant price variation across different regions.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
Atlanta's metro area concentrates the majority of Georgia's ophthalmologists and surgical centers, creating competitive pricing and shorter wait times for patients. Rural areas in South Georgia and the mountains have fewer specialists, sometimes requiring patients to travel hours for surgery but potentially offering lower facility costs. This geographic disparity can result in $500-1,000 differences in total procedure costs.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
Hospital-based outpatient surgery centers in Georgia, particularly those affiliated with major health systems like Emory Healthcare and Piedmont Healthcare, typically charge higher facility fees than independent surgery centers. Independent ambulatory surgery centers often have lower overhead costs and can pass savings on to patients. Some practices in Georgia have invested in on-site surgery suites, eliminating separate facility fees entirely.
Insurance Market Competition in Georgia
Georgia's insurance market features moderate competition among major carriers including Anthem, UHC, and Cigna, along with regional players like Humana and Kaiser Permanente in select areas. This competition helps keep negotiated rates reasonable, though not as low as in states with more robust insurance marketplaces. The lack of Medicaid expansion reduces insurer competition for that segment, potentially affecting overall market dynamics.
Physician Supply and Demand in Georgia
With over 3,200 active Cataract Surgery providers, Georgia has a relatively strong supply of ophthalmologists concentrated in metro Atlanta, Augusta, and Savannah. This provider density in urban areas creates competitive pricing and good access to care, while rural regions may have longer wait times and limited options. The state's growing population, particularly among seniors, continues to drive demand for cataract services.
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 Georgia
What is the average cost of a Cataract Surgery visit in Georgia without insurance?
Does Georgia Medicaid cover Cataract Surgery visits?
How do I find an affordable Cataract Surgery near me in Georgia?
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 Georgia?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Cataract Surgery in Georgia?
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 |