Cost of a Cataract Surgery Visit
in Illinois
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
Illinois maintains one of the Midwest's most robust ophthalmology networks, with particular strength in the Chicago metropolitan area where major medical centers drive innovation in surgical eye care. Cataract Surgery patients in Illinois typically encounter negotiated rates between $418 and $1,200, with a median cost of $694 based on current insurance contract data. The state's 3,854 active Cataract Surgery providers offer patients extensive choice when selecting a surgeon, allowing Illinois residents to compare options across both urban academic centers and community-based practices throughout the state.
Average
$771
Median
$694
Lowest
$418
Highest
$1,200
Providers
3,854
13% below national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does cataract surgery compare to related procedures in Illinois?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knee Replacement Total knee replacement (arthroplasty) | 27447 | $85 | $1,778 | $3,789 | 4,831 |
| Hip Replacement Total hip replacement (arthroplasty) | 27130 | $85 | $1,664 | $3,707 | 4,966 |
| Knee Arthroscopy Arthroscopy of the knee with meniscectomy | 29881 | $90 | $655 | $1,895 | 4,839 |
| Gallbladder Removal (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic cholecystectomy | 47562 | $85 | $943 | $1,984 | 4,987 |
| Appendectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic appendectomy | 44970 | $85 | $857 | $1,654 | 6,834 |
| Hysterectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic total hysterectomy | 58571 | $85 | $1,214 | $2,665 | 5,065 |
| Septoplasty Nasal septum repair | 30520 | $512 | $683 | $1,289 | 3,659 |
| Tonsillectomy Tonsillectomy, primary or secondary | 42820 | $253 | $339 | $596 | 3,648 |
| Inguinal Hernia Repair Inguinal hernia repair | 49505 | $90 | $707 | $1,569 | 4,730 |
| Mastectomy Partial or simple mastectomy | 19301 | $90 | $740 | $1,846 | 4,743 |
| Carpal Tunnel Surgery Open carpal tunnel release | 64721 | $372 | $594 | $1,070 | 3,849 |
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 Illinois
These hospitals in Illinois are top-rated for patient satisfaction. Review data sourced from HCAHPS Patient Survey.
GALENA, IL
CARTHAGE, IL
GIBSON CITY, IL
MONMOUTH, IL
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 Illinois
Illinois healthcare costs run approximately 10% above national averages, driven largely by Chicago's high-cost urban market and the state's concentration of academic medical centers. The dramatic difference between Chicago-area pricing and downstate costs creates significant opportunities for patients willing to travel within Illinois for their surgical care.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
Chicago's six-county metropolitan area contains roughly two-thirds of Illinois's ophthalmologists, creating intense competition and premium pricing in Cook and DuPage counties. Rural counties in southern and western Illinois often have limited specialist access, forcing patients to travel to regional centers like Springfield, Rockford, or the Quad Cities for Cataract Surgery.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
Hospital-based surgical centers in Illinois typically charge facility fees 30-50% higher than independent ambulatory surgery centers, with academic medical centers like Northwestern and University of Chicago commanding premium rates. Many suburban markets feature physician-owned surgery centers that offer competitive pricing while maintaining high-quality surgical outcomes.
Insurance Market Competition in Illinois
Illinois maintains moderate insurer competition with BCBS Illinois holding the largest market share, followed by UnitedHealthcare and Aetna in most regions. This competitive balance helps keep negotiated rates reasonable compared to states with dominant single insurers, though Chicago-area rates still reflect the region's high cost structure.
Physician Supply and Demand in Illinois
With 3,854 active Cataract Surgery providers, Illinois maintains adequate specialist supply in urban areas but faces shortages in rural counties where aging populations create high demand for cataract services. This geographic mismatch contributes to longer wait times downstate while Chicago-area surgeons often have more flexible scheduling availability.
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 Illinois
What is the average cost of a Cataract Surgery visit in Illinois without insurance?
Does Illinois Medicaid cover Cataract Surgery visits?
How do I find an affordable Cataract Surgery near me in Illinois?
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 Illinois?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Cataract Surgery in Illinois?
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 |