Cost of a Cataract Surgery Visit
in Maine
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
Maine's rural geography and limited specialist competition contribute to cataract surgery costs that run approximately 44% above national averages. Patients typically pay between $642.85 and $1,122.78 for cataract surgery procedures, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $1,068.50. Maine has over 1,500 active cataract surgery providers across the state, ranging from Portland's major medical centers to smaller regional facilities serving coastal and northern communities.
Average
$945
Median
$1,069
Lowest
$643
Highest
$1,123
Providers
1,524
6% above national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does cataract surgery compare to related procedures in Maine?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knee Replacement Total knee replacement (arthroplasty) | 27447 | $1,713 | $2,488 | $2,689 | 1,522 |
| Hip Replacement Total hip replacement (arthroplasty) | 27130 | $1,585 | $2,491 | $2,639 | 1,529 |
| Knee Arthroscopy Arthroscopy of the knee with meniscectomy | 29881 | $634 | $1,054 | $1,087 | 1,528 |
| Gallbladder Removal (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic cholecystectomy | 47562 | $746 | $1,250 | $1,286 | 1,541 |
| Appendectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic appendectomy | 44970 | $682 | $1,144 | $1,177 | 1,551 |
| Hysterectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic total hysterectomy | 58571 | $1,043 | $1,716 | $1,776 | 1,529 |
| Septoplasty Nasal septum repair | 30520 | $811 | $1,310 | $1,346 | 1,526 |
| Tonsillectomy Tonsillectomy, primary or secondary | 42820 | $342 | $573 | $578 | 1,524 |
| Inguinal Hernia Repair Inguinal hernia repair | 49505 | $630 | $998 | $1,022 | 1,521 |
| Mastectomy Partial or simple mastectomy | 19301 | $749 | $1,255 | $1,274 | 1,523 |
| Carpal Tunnel Surgery Open carpal tunnel release | 64721 | $519 | $850 | $888 | 1,519 |
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 Maine
These hospitals in Maine are top-rated for patient satisfaction. Review data sourced from HCAHPS Patient Survey.
AUGUSTA, ME
HOULTON, ME
BANGOR, ME
PORTLAND, ME
BAR HARBOR, ME
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 Maine
Maine's cataract surgery costs run approximately 44% above national averages, driven by the state's rural geography and concentrated provider networks in urban centers. The challenging winter weather and seasonal population fluctuations create unique demand patterns that affect surgical scheduling and pricing throughout the year.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
Portland and Bangor concentrate most of Maine's high-volume cataract surgeons, while rural counties from Aroostook to Washington often require patients to travel significant distances for surgery. This geographic disparity creates higher costs in urban areas due to facility overhead while rural patients face additional travel expenses. Some northern Maine residents travel to Canadian facilities for more accessible care options.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
Hospital-owned surgical centers affiliated with MaineHealth and Northern Light Health typically charge higher facility fees than independent ambulatory surgery centers. Portland's medical facilities command premium rates due to high real estate costs and urban overhead expenses. Independent surgical centers in mid-sized communities like Augusta and Lewiston often provide competitive pricing while maintaining quality standards.
Insurance Market Competition in Maine
Anthem BCBS dominates Maine's individual and small group markets, with Harvard Pilgrim and UnitedHealthcare providing additional options primarily in southern regions. Limited insurer competition results in less aggressive rate negotiations with providers compared to more competitive markets. Rural areas often have only one or two insurance options, reducing patients' ability to shop for better coverage terms.
Physician Supply and Demand in Maine
Maine's 1,500+ active cataract surgery providers represent adequate supply for current demand, though geographic distribution favors urban areas significantly. The state's aging population drives steady demand for cataract surgery, particularly in coastal retirement communities. Provider recruitment challenges in rural areas maintain pricing power for established surgeons while creating access barriers for patients in northern and eastern counties.
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 Maine
What is the average cost of a Cataract Surgery visit in Maine without insurance?
Does Maine Medicaid cover Cataract Surgery visits?
How do I find an affordable Cataract Surgery near me in Maine?
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 Maine?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Cataract Surgery in Maine?
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 |