Cost of a Cataract Surgery Visit
in Hawaii
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
Hawaii's island geography creates unique healthcare delivery challenges, with patients on outer islands often traveling to Oahu for specialized surgical care. Cataract Surgery patients typically pay between $85 and $1,386, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $746, based on negotiated insurance rates across the state's 51 active providers. Hawaii maintains a robust network of ophthalmologists and eye surgeons, allowing patients to browse providers across all islands for their cataract treatment needs.
Average
$739
Median
$746
Lowest
$85
Highest
$1,386
Providers
51
17% below national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does cataract surgery compare to related procedures in Hawaii?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knee Replacement Total knee replacement (arthroplasty) | 27447 | $1,018 | $1,894 | $2,946 | 46 |
| Hip Replacement Total hip replacement (arthroplasty) | 27130 | $90 | $1,896 | $2,947 | 50 |
| Knee Arthroscopy Arthroscopy of the knee with meniscectomy | 29881 | $80 | $752 | $1,287 | 52 |
| Gallbladder Removal (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic cholecystectomy | 47562 | $80 | $929 | $1,507 | 68 |
| Appendectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic appendectomy | 44970 | $80 | $846 | $1,376 | 75 |
| Hysterectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic total hysterectomy | 58571 | $85 | $1,235 | $1,929 | 46 |
| Septoplasty Nasal septum repair | 30520 | $80 | $858 | $1,376 | 47 |
| Tonsillectomy Tonsillectomy, primary or secondary | 42820 | $85 | $399 | $665 | 45 |
| Inguinal Hernia Repair Inguinal hernia repair | 49505 | $426 | $734 | $1,149 | 42 |
| Mastectomy Partial or simple mastectomy | 19301 | $85 | $922 | $1,475 | 45 |
| Carpal Tunnel Surgery Open carpal tunnel release | 64721 | $358 | $604 | $1,040 | 41 |
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.
Why Cataract Surgery Visit Costs Vary Across Hawaii
Hawaii's healthcare costs run approximately 16% above the national average, driven by the state's remote island location and the logistical challenges of importing medical supplies and equipment. The concentration of specialized surgical facilities on Oahu creates access disparities for neighbor island residents.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
Oahu hosts the majority of Hawaii's cataract surgeons, with Honolulu offering the most competitive pricing due to provider density. Neighbor islands like Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island have limited surgical options, often requiring patient travel to Oahu for advanced procedures. This geographic limitation can add travel and accommodation costs for outer island residents seeking cataract treatment.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
Hospital-based outpatient surgery centers in Hawaii typically charge 40-60% more than independent ambulatory surgery centers due to higher overhead costs. The Queen's Health System and Hawaii Pacific Health dominate the hospital market, while independent surgical centers offer more competitive pricing. Facility fees often represent the largest component of cataract surgery costs, making venue selection crucial for cost management.
Insurance Market Competition in Hawaii
Hawaii's insurance market is served primarily by HMSA (BCBS), UnitedHealthcare, and Kaiser Permanente, creating moderate competition that helps control negotiated rates. HMSA's dominant market position gives it significant leverage in rate negotiations with surgical providers. The state's regulatory environment and small population limit the entry of new insurers, maintaining relatively stable but concentrated market dynamics.
Physician Supply and Demand in Hawaii
With 51 active cataract surgery providers serving Hawaii's 1.4 million residents, the state maintains adequate surgical capacity for routine cases. The concentration of specialists on Oahu creates scheduling flexibility and competitive pricing in urban areas. However, the limited provider network can result in longer wait times for non-urgent procedures, particularly for patients seeking specific surgeons or premium lens options.
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 Hawaii
What is the average cost of a Cataract Surgery visit in Hawaii without insurance?
Does Hawaii Medicaid cover Cataract Surgery visits?
How do I find an affordable Cataract Surgery near me in Hawaii?
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 Hawaii?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Cataract Surgery in Hawaii?
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 |