Cost of a Cataract Surgery Visit
in Kentucky
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
Kentucky's healthcare market offers patients access to Cataract Surgery services at rates approximately 5% below national averages, with major insurers Anthem, UHC, and Humana maintaining competitive networks throughout the Commonwealth. Based on negotiated insurance rates, patients typically see costs ranging from $85 to $1,313 for Cataract Surgery procedures, with a median rate of $676. With 184 active Cataract Surgery providers across Kentucky's urban centers and rural communities, patients can browse all available specialists to find quality care that fits their budget and location needs.
Average
$691
Median
$676
Lowest
$85
Highest
$1,313
Providers
184
22% below national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does cataract surgery compare to related procedures in Kentucky?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knee Replacement Total knee replacement (arthroplasty) | 27447 | $977 | $1,837 | $3,564 | 148 |
| Hip Replacement Total hip replacement (arthroplasty) | 27130 | $386 | $1,784 | $3,244 | 179 |
| Knee Arthroscopy Arthroscopy of the knee with meniscectomy | 29881 | $394 | $717 | $1,419 | 153 |
| Gallbladder Removal (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic cholecystectomy | 47562 | $90 | $837 | $1,539 | 233 |
| Appendectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic appendectomy | 44970 | $85 | $776 | $1,415 | 246 |
| Hysterectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic total hysterectomy | 58571 | $85 | $995 | $2,038 | 191 |
| Septoplasty Nasal septum repair | 30520 | $435 | $792 | $1,627 | 149 |
| Tonsillectomy Tonsillectomy, primary or secondary | 42820 | $85 | $357 | $679 | 178 |
| Inguinal Hernia Repair Inguinal hernia repair | 49505 | $396 | $673 | $1,220 | 146 |
| Mastectomy Partial or simple mastectomy | 19301 | $85 | $737 | $1,529 | 182 |
| Carpal Tunnel Surgery Open carpal tunnel release | 64721 | $340 | $565 | $1,957 | 145 |
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 Kentucky
These hospitals in Kentucky are top-rated for patient satisfaction. Review data sourced from HCAHPS Patient Survey.
BEREA, KY
FLEMINGSBURG, KY
LOUISA, KY
LEXINGTON, KY
CYNTHIANA, KY
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 Kentucky
Kentucky's healthcare costs run approximately 5% below national averages, reflecting the state's lower cost of living compared to coastal regions and the competitive insurance market created by three major insurers. The Commonwealth's mix of urban medical centers and rural communities creates distinct pricing patterns across different regions of the state.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
Louisville and Lexington anchor Kentucky's specialist networks with multiple Cataract Surgery options, while rural Appalachian counties often require patients to travel significant distances for care. This geographic disparity can actually work in patients' favor, as rural providers sometimes offer more competitive pricing to attract patients from wider service areas. Eastern Kentucky's mountainous terrain particularly challenges access, with some patients traveling over an hour to reach the nearest ophthalmologist.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
Hospital-owned outpatient surgical centers in Kentucky typically charge higher facility fees compared to independent ambulatory surgery centers, reflecting different overhead structures and billing practices. Major health systems like Baptist Health, UK HealthCare, and Norton Healthcare operate across multiple Kentucky markets with varying cost structures. Independent practices often provide more transparent pricing and greater flexibility in payment arrangements for self-pay patients.
Insurance Market Competition in Kentucky
The presence of Anthem, UHC, and Humana creates a moderately competitive insurance market that helps contain negotiated rates for Cataract Surgery procedures. This three-way competition prevents any single insurer from dominating rate negotiations, though rural areas may have fewer in-network options. The competitive dynamic tends to benefit patients through lower out-of-pocket costs and broader provider networks compared to states with more concentrated insurance markets.
Physician Supply and Demand in Kentucky
With 184 active Cataract Surgery providers serving Kentucky's 4.5 million residents, the state maintains adequate specialist availability in urban areas while facing shortages in rural regions. This supply distribution means patients in metropolitan areas benefit from competitive pricing and shorter wait times, while rural residents may face longer travel distances but sometimes find more personalized care. The concentration of providers in Louisville and Lexington creates pricing competition that helps keep costs reasonable for patients willing to comparison shop.
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 Kentucky
What is the average cost of a Cataract Surgery visit in Kentucky without insurance?
Does Kentucky Medicaid cover Cataract Surgery visits?
How do I find an affordable Cataract Surgery near me in Kentucky?
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 Kentucky?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Cataract Surgery in Kentucky?
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 |