Cost of a Cataract Surgery Visit
in New Mexico
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
New Mexico's healthcare system serves one of the nation's most geographically dispersed populations, with cataract surgery costs reflecting both rural access challenges and urban competition. Patients typically pay between $474 and $1,551 for cataract surgery, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $921 across the state's active provider network. With over 1,200 cataract surgery providers throughout New Mexico, patients can browse qualified specialists from Albuquerque's major medical centers to smaller community practices serving rural areas.
Average
$982
Median
$921
Lowest
$474
Highest
$1,551
Providers
1,206
11% above national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does cataract surgery compare to related procedures in New Mexico?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knee Replacement Total knee replacement (arthroplasty) | 27447 | $1,216 | $2,132 | $3,606 | 1,195 |
| Hip Replacement Total hip replacement (arthroplasty) | 27130 | $1,203 | $2,095 | $3,377 | 1,197 |
| Knee Arthroscopy Arthroscopy of the knee with meniscectomy | 29881 | $487 | $840 | $1,281 | 1,185 |
| Gallbladder Removal (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic cholecystectomy | 47562 | $589 | $1,036 | $1,628 | 1,248 |
| Appendectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic appendectomy | 44970 | $507 | $884 | $1,408 | 1,265 |
| Hysterectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic total hysterectomy | 58571 | $752 | $1,446 | $2,453 | 1,205 |
| Septoplasty Nasal septum repair | 30520 | $566 | $927 | $1,494 | 1,188 |
| Tonsillectomy Tonsillectomy, primary or secondary | 42820 | $253 | $430 | $694 | 1,200 |
| Inguinal Hernia Repair Inguinal hernia repair | 49505 | $465 | $770 | $1,226 | 1,171 |
| Mastectomy Partial or simple mastectomy | 19301 | $560 | $940 | $1,525 | 1,198 |
| Carpal Tunnel Surgery Open carpal tunnel release | 64721 | $385 | $634 | $1,031 | 1,183 |
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 Mexico
These hospitals in New Mexico are top-rated for patient satisfaction. Review data sourced from HCAHPS Patient Survey.
LAS CRUCES, NM
ALBUQUERQUE, NM
ESPANOLA, NM
SILVER CITY, NM
SANTA FE, NM
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 Mexico
Cataract surgery costs in New Mexico run approximately 3% below national averages, reflecting the state's lower cost of living and rural healthcare economics. The Land of Enchantment's vast distances between population centers create unique cost pressures, with some patients traveling hundreds of miles for specialized surgical care.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
Albuquerque and Santa Fe concentrate most of New Mexico's cataract surgeons, creating cost advantages through competition but forcing rural residents to travel significant distances for care. Remote areas like northeastern New Mexico and the boot heel region have extremely limited local options, often requiring patients to seek care in neighboring states.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
University of New Mexico Hospital and Presbyterian Healthcare Services dominate the state's hospital-based surgical market, while independent surgery centers in Albuquerque offer competitive alternatives. Rural hospitals often lack dedicated ophthalmic surgery suites, referring complex cases to urban centers and driving up total patient costs.
Insurance Market Competition in New Mexico
BCBS NM maintains the largest market share statewide, followed by UnitedHealthcare and Molina, with limited competition in rural counties creating less favorable negotiated rates. The state's small population and geographic challenges make it difficult for new insurers to enter the market, reducing price pressure on existing plans.
Physician Supply and Demand in New Mexico
With over 1,200 active cataract surgery providers, New Mexico has reasonable specialist availability relative to its population, though geographic distribution heavily favors urban areas. This urban concentration allows for competitive pricing in Albuquerque and Santa Fe while creating access challenges and potentially higher costs in frontier communities.
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 Mexico
What is the average cost of a Cataract Surgery visit in New Mexico without insurance?
Does New Mexico Medicaid cover Cataract Surgery visits?
How do I find an affordable Cataract Surgery near me in New Mexico?
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 Mexico?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Cataract Surgery in New Mexico?
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 |