Cost of a Cataract Surgery Visit
in New York
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
New York's healthcare costs run approximately 22% above the national average, driven by the state's dense urban centers and highly consolidated hospital systems. For Cataract Surgery procedures, patients typically pay between $363.99 and $2,134.89, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $515.28 based on negotiated insurance rates. With over 30,000 active Cataract Surgery providers across the state, patients can browse all providers in New York to find the most affordable options.
Average
$1,005
Median
$515
Lowest
$364
Highest
$2,135
Providers
30,876
13% above national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does cataract surgery compare to related procedures in New York?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knee Replacement Total knee replacement (arthroplasty) | 27447 | $898 | $1,288 | $6,051 | 30,852 |
| Hip Replacement Total hip replacement (arthroplasty) | 27130 | $900 | $1,289 | $6,060 | 30,927 |
| Knee Arthroscopy Arthroscopy of the knee with meniscectomy | 29881 | $384 | $538 | $2,410 | 30,865 |
| Gallbladder Removal (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic cholecystectomy | 47562 | $452 | $638 | $1,820 | 30,954 |
| Appendectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic appendectomy | 44970 | $412 | $577 | $1,655 | 31,025 |
| Hysterectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic total hysterectomy | 58571 | $627 | $890 | $3,201 | 30,796 |
| Septoplasty Nasal septum repair | 30520 | $466 | $625 | $2,160 | 30,844 |
| Tonsillectomy Tonsillectomy, primary or secondary | 42820 | $203 | $276 | $742 | 30,860 |
| Inguinal Hernia Repair Inguinal hernia repair | 49505 | $364 | $504 | $1,435 | 30,842 |
| Mastectomy Partial or simple mastectomy | 19301 | $452 | $609 | $2,642 | 30,775 |
| Carpal Tunnel Surgery Open carpal tunnel release | 64721 | $320 | $622 | $1,963 | 30,846 |
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 York
These hospitals in New York are top-rated for patient satisfaction. Review data sourced from HCAHPS Patient Survey.
ELIZABETHTOWN, NY
SARANAC LAKE, NY
NEW YORK, NY
WALTON, NY
ROSLYN, NY
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 York
New York's healthcare costs run approximately 22% above national averages due to the state's high concentration of academic medical centers and premium urban markets. The metropolitan New York area contains some of the nation's most expensive healthcare facilities, while upstate regions offer more moderate pricing structures.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
Manhattan and Long Island host dozens of specialized eye surgery centers with premium pricing, while rural counties in western and northern New York may have limited local options requiring travel to regional centers. The Finger Lakes, Capital District, and Hudson Valley regions offer moderate pricing between urban premiums and rural limitations. Access disparities can drive patients from rural areas to seek care in Albany, Syracuse, or Rochester metropolitan areas.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
Hospital-owned outpatient surgery centers at institutions like NewYork-Presbyterian, NYU Langone, and Mount Sinai typically charge premium rates due to academic affiliations and urban overhead costs. Independent ambulatory surgery centers, particularly in suburban Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties, often provide comparable quality at lower facility fees. Community hospitals upstate generally offer the most competitive pricing for standard cataract procedures.
Insurance Market Competition in New York
Empire BlueCross BlueShield, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, and Cigna compete actively in New York's insurance market, creating varied negotiated rate structures across providers. The competitive environment helps moderate some cost increases, though premium urban markets still command higher reimbursement rates. Some regional insurers like MVP Health Care and Capital District Physicians' Health Plan offer additional options in upstate markets.
Physician Supply and Demand in New York
With over 30,000 active cataract surgery providers, New York maintains robust physician supply relative to population, particularly in metropolitan areas. This abundant supply helps moderate pricing in competitive markets, though premium locations and high-volume surgeons still command higher fees. Wait times for routine cataract surgery remain relatively short compared to other states, typically ranging from 2-4 weeks for non-urgent cases.
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 York
What is the average cost of a Cataract Surgery visit in New York without insurance?
Does New York Medicaid cover Cataract Surgery visits?
How do I find an affordable Cataract Surgery near me in New York?
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 York?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Cataract Surgery in New York?
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 |