Cost of a Cataract Surgery Visit
in Maryland
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
Maryland's rate-setting authority for hospitals creates unique pricing transparency that helps patients understand their healthcare costs better than many other states. Cataract Surgery patients in the state typically encounter negotiated rates ranging from $477 to $1,083, with a median cost of $581 based on actual insurer agreements. With nearly 4,000 active Cataract Surgery providers across Maryland's diverse healthcare landscape, patients have substantial options when selecting care that fits their budget and location preferences.
Average
$714
Median
$581
Lowest
$477
Highest
$1,083
Providers
3,982
20% below national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does cataract surgery compare to related procedures in Maryland?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knee Replacement Total knee replacement (arthroplasty) | 27447 | $1,204 | $1,365 | $3,475 | 3,921 |
| Hip Replacement Total hip replacement (arthroplasty) | 27130 | $1,124 | $1,289 | $2,667 | 3,950 |
| Knee Arthroscopy Arthroscopy of the knee with meniscectomy | 29881 | $485 | $559 | $1,591 | 3,923 |
| Gallbladder Removal (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic cholecystectomy | 47562 | $545 | $633 | $1,355 | 3,993 |
| Appendectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic appendectomy | 44970 | $437 | $573 | $1,238 | 4,028 |
| Hysterectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic total hysterectomy | 58571 | $754 | $892 | $1,779 | 4,051 |
| Septoplasty Nasal septum repair | 30520 | $461 | $617 | $1,395 | 3,925 |
| Tonsillectomy Tonsillectomy, primary or secondary | 42820 | $226 | $271 | $607 | 3,971 |
| Inguinal Hernia Repair Inguinal hernia repair | 49505 | $381 | $498 | $1,079 | 3,919 |
| Mastectomy Partial or simple mastectomy | 19301 | $346 | $626 | $1,292 | 3,976 |
| Carpal Tunnel Surgery Open carpal tunnel release | 64721 | $318 | $419 | $920 | 3,931 |
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 Maryland
Maryland's healthcare costs run approximately 13% above the national average, reflecting the state's proximity to Washington D.C. and its concentration of specialized medical centers. The state's unique hospital rate-setting system creates more predictable pricing than free-market states, though this transparency benefit varies by service type.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
The Baltimore-Washington corridor houses the majority of Maryland's Cataract Surgery specialists, while residents of rural counties like Garrett or Caroline may travel significant distances for care. This geographic concentration drives up costs in urban areas while potentially limiting access and choice for rural patients.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
Hospital-based ophthalmology practices affiliated with systems like Johns Hopkins or MedStar typically carry higher overhead costs than independent surgical centers, translating to increased patient charges. Academic medical centers in Baltimore command premium rates due to their research facilities and subspecialty expertise, though they often provide care for the most complex cases.
Insurance Market Competition in Maryland
CareFirst BCBS maintains the largest market share in Maryland, followed by UHC and Aetna, creating moderate competition that helps contain some cost increases. The state's individual marketplace offers additional insurer options, though rural counties may have fewer choices than suburban areas around Baltimore and Washington.
Physician Supply and Demand in Maryland
With nearly 4,000 active Cataract Surgery providers, Maryland maintains a relatively robust supply of eye care specialists compared to many states, particularly concentrated in the central corridor. This adequate supply helps moderate pricing pressure and reduces wait times, though patients in remote areas may still face access challenges requiring longer travel distances.
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 Maryland
What is the average cost of a Cataract Surgery visit in Maryland without insurance?
Does Maryland Medicaid cover Cataract Surgery visits?
How do I find an affordable Cataract Surgery near me in Maryland?
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 Maryland?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Cataract Surgery in Maryland?
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 |