Cost of a Cataract Surgery Visit
in Montana
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
Montana's vast geographic landscape creates unique challenges for surgical care access, with many residents traveling significant distances for specialized procedures. Cataract Surgery patients in the state face costs that run approximately 25% below national averages, with negotiated rates ranging from $85 to $2,744 depending on facility type and location. With 48 active Cataract Surgery providers across Montana's expansive territory, patients can explore all available specialists and compare costs before scheduling their procedure.
Average
$1,127
Median
$554
Lowest
$85
Highest
$2,744
Providers
48
27% above national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does cataract surgery compare to related procedures in Montana?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knee Replacement Total knee replacement (arthroplasty) | 27447 | $92 | $1,667 | $6,877 | 35 |
| Hip Replacement Total hip replacement (arthroplasty) | 27130 | $80 | $1,395 | $6,442 | 49 |
| Knee Arthroscopy Arthroscopy of the knee with meniscectomy | 29881 | $80 | $80 | $985 | 300 |
| Gallbladder Removal (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic cholecystectomy | 47562 | $80 | $80 | $1,124 | 315 |
| Appendectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic appendectomy | 44970 | $80 | $80 | $1,231 | 321 |
| Hysterectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic total hysterectomy | 58571 | $82 | $983 | $4,679 | 42 |
| Septoplasty Nasal septum repair | 30520 | $80 | $80 | $920 | 298 |
| Tonsillectomy Tonsillectomy, primary or secondary | 42820 | $85 | $313 | $581 | 38 |
| Inguinal Hernia Repair Inguinal hernia repair | 49505 | $378 | $656 | $2,328 | 32 |
| Mastectomy Partial or simple mastectomy | 19301 | $85 | $675 | $2,902 | 39 |
| Carpal Tunnel Surgery Open carpal tunnel release | 64721 | $90 | $469 | $979 | 37 |
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 Montana
These hospitals in Montana are top-rated for patient satisfaction. Review data sourced from HCAHPS Patient Survey.
FORT HARRISON, MT
WHITEFISH, MT
MISSOULA, MT
ANACONDA, MT
GREAT FALLS, MT
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 Montana
Montana's cataract surgery costs run approximately 25% below national averages, reflecting the state's lower cost of living and reduced facility overhead expenses compared to coastal markets. The state's frontier geography creates significant access challenges, with many patients traveling hours to reach surgical centers concentrated in larger communities.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
Cataract surgery options cluster heavily in Billings, Missoula, Great Falls, and Bozeman, leaving vast rural areas with limited local access to care. Patients in eastern Montana often travel 200+ miles to reach the nearest surgical facility, creating additional costs for lodging and transportation. This geographic concentration allows urban providers to maintain higher volumes but can limit competition in rural markets.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
Hospital-based outpatient surgical departments typically charge 20-40% more than independent ambulatory surgical centers across Montana. Major health systems like Billings Clinic and Providence dominate urban markets, while smaller independent practices serve rural communities with generally lower overhead costs. Facility fees represent a significant portion of total cataract surgery costs, varying widely based on location and ownership structure.
Insurance Market Competition in Montana
The limited number of major insurers (BCBS Montana, PacificSource, UHC) operating in the state reduces competitive pressure on negotiated rates with providers. Rural areas often have even fewer insurer options, giving providers more leverage in rate negotiations. This concentrated market structure contributes to relatively stable but sometimes higher pricing compared to states with more insurer competition.
Physician Supply and Demand in Montana
With 48 active Cataract Surgery providers serving Montana's population of over one million, the state maintains adequate specialist coverage despite geographic challenges. The concentration of surgeons in urban areas creates some supply constraints for rural patients but generally supports competitive pricing in major markets. Wait times for non-urgent cataract surgery typically range from 2-6 weeks, indicating balanced supply and demand dynamics.
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 Montana
What is the average cost of a Cataract Surgery visit in Montana without insurance?
Does Montana Medicaid cover Cataract Surgery visits?
How do I find an affordable Cataract Surgery near me in Montana?
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 Montana?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Cataract Surgery in Montana?
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 |