Cost of a Cataract Surgery Visit
in New Jersey
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
New Jersey's dense healthcare infrastructure, anchored by major academic medical centers and advanced surgical facilities throughout the state, has made it a regional hub for ophthalmologic care. Cataract Surgery patients typically pay between $363.99 and $1,380.14, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $624.79. New Jersey maintains over 6,500 active Cataract Surgery providers across the state, giving patients substantial choice when browsing all providers in New Jersey.
Average
$790
Median
$625
Lowest
$364
Highest
$1,380
Providers
6,526
11% below national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does cataract surgery compare to related procedures in New Jersey?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knee Replacement Total knee replacement (arthroplasty) | 27447 | $952 | $1,422 | $4,588 | 6,486 |
| Hip Replacement Total hip replacement (arthroplasty) | 27130 | $953 | $1,424 | $4,590 | 6,528 |
| Knee Arthroscopy Arthroscopy of the knee with meniscectomy | 29881 | $412 | $578 | $1,845 | 6,494 |
| Gallbladder Removal (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic cholecystectomy | 47562 | $388 | $664 | $1,827 | 6,521 |
| Appendectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic appendectomy | 44970 | $340 | $546 | $1,669 | 6,585 |
| Hysterectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic total hysterectomy | 58571 | $627 | $1,045 | $2,093 | 6,519 |
| Septoplasty Nasal septum repair | 30520 | $406 | $566 | $1,411 | 6,484 |
| Tonsillectomy Tonsillectomy, primary or secondary | 42820 | $170 | $273 | $833 | 6,523 |
| Inguinal Hernia Repair Inguinal hernia repair | 49505 | $309 | $475 | $1,435 | 6,484 |
| Mastectomy Partial or simple mastectomy | 19301 | $314 | $558 | $1,446 | 6,513 |
| Carpal Tunnel Surgery Open carpal tunnel release | 64721 | $265 | $519 | $2,119 | 6,490 |
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 New Jersey
These hospitals in New Jersey are top-rated for patient satisfaction. Review data sourced from HCAHPS Patient Survey.
BROWNS MILLS, NJ
MORRISTOWN, NJ
ENGLEWOOD, NJ
PLAINSBORO, NJ
PARAMUS, NJ
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 New Jersey
New Jersey's healthcare costs run approximately 17% above national averages, reflecting the state's high cost of living and concentration of specialized medical facilities. The state's position in the Northeast corridor, with proximity to New York City's medical markets, creates upward pressure on provider rates and facility overhead expenses.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
New Jersey's unique geography concentrates most ophthalmologic specialists in the northern counties near New York City and central regions around major hospital systems, leaving some southern and western areas with limited local options. This geographic maldistribution often forces patients in less populated areas to travel significant distances for specialized eye care, potentially increasing total treatment costs.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
Hospital-based outpatient clinics affiliated with major systems like RWJBarnabas Health and Atlantic Health typically charge higher facility fees compared to independent ophthalmology practices throughout New Jersey. These academic and large health system-affiliated providers often justify premium pricing through access to advanced surgical equipment and subspecialty expertise.
Insurance Market Competition in New Jersey
The market presence of Horizon BCBS, Aetna, and UnitedHealthcare creates moderate insurer competition, though Horizon's dominant position in certain regions can limit negotiating leverage for providers. This competitive dynamic generally keeps negotiated rates reasonable compared to less competitive markets, though patients may find significant variation between insurers for the same services.
Physician Supply and Demand in New Jersey
With over 6,500 active Cataract Surgery providers serving New Jersey's population, the state maintains adequate specialist availability in most regions, preventing the supply shortages that drive up costs in other markets. This robust provider network allows patients more flexibility in choosing cost-effective options and typically reduces wait times for routine consultations and procedures.
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 New Jersey
What is the average cost of a Cataract Surgery visit in New Jersey without insurance?
Does New Jersey Medicaid cover Cataract Surgery visits?
How do I find an affordable Cataract Surgery near me in New Jersey?
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 New Jersey?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Cataract Surgery in New Jersey?
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 |