Cost of a Cataract Surgery Visit
in South Carolina
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
South Carolina patients benefit from cataract surgery costs that run approximately 13% below national averages, reflecting the state's balanced mix of academic medical centers and community-based practices. Patients typically pay between $327 and $1,383 for cataract surgery, with a median cost of $647 based on negotiated insurance rates. The state maintains over 1,000 active cataract surgery providers across urban centers like Charleston and Columbia as well as rural communities, giving patients options to browse all providers in South Carolina.
Average
$785
Median
$647
Lowest
$327
Highest
$1,383
Providers
1,098
12% below national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does cataract surgery compare to related procedures in South Carolina?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knee Replacement Total knee replacement (arthroplasty) | 27447 | $1,060 | $1,527 | $3,108 | 1,028 |
| Hip Replacement Total hip replacement (arthroplasty) | 27130 | $80 | $1,442 | $2,907 | 1,247 |
| Knee Arthroscopy Arthroscopy of the knee with meniscectomy | 29881 | $422 | $607 | $1,266 | 1,038 |
| Gallbladder Removal (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic cholecystectomy | 47562 | $483 | $710 | $1,594 | 1,072 |
| Appendectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic appendectomy | 44970 | $80 | $631 | $1,290 | 1,336 |
| Hysterectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic total hysterectomy | 58571 | $85 | $975 | $2,061 | 1,098 |
| Septoplasty Nasal septum repair | 30520 | $466 | $679 | $1,422 | 1,031 |
| Tonsillectomy Tonsillectomy, primary or secondary | 42820 | $194 | $307 | $644 | 1,089 |
| Inguinal Hernia Repair Inguinal hernia repair | 49505 | $391 | $554 | $1,170 | 1,025 |
| Mastectomy Partial or simple mastectomy | 19301 | $318 | $696 | $1,315 | 1,094 |
| Carpal Tunnel Surgery Open carpal tunnel release | 64721 | $334 | $467 | $1,030 | 1,029 |
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 South Carolina
South Carolina's cataract surgery costs run approximately 13% below national averages, reflecting the state's lower overall healthcare costs and balanced competition between academic medical centers and community practices. The state's growing ambulatory surgery center market provides cost-effective alternatives to hospital-based procedures.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville offer the highest concentration of cataract surgeons and surgical facilities, creating competitive pricing and shorter wait times. Rural areas of South Carolina often have limited local options, requiring patients to travel to urban centers but potentially accessing the same competitive rates. The state's relatively compact geography means most residents can reach a major metropolitan area within two hours.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
Hospital-owned surgery centers affiliated with MUSC, Prisma Health, and other major health systems typically carry higher facility fees due to teaching responsibilities and complex case referrals. Independent ambulatory surgery centers throughout South Carolina often provide the same surgical outcomes at 20-30% lower facility costs. Many surgeons have privileges at multiple facilities, allowing patients to choose based on cost and convenience.
Insurance Market Competition in South Carolina
BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina maintains the largest market share but faces meaningful competition from UnitedHealthcare and Aetna, particularly in employer-sponsored plans. This moderate level of competition helps keep negotiated rates reasonable compared to states with dominant single insurers. The state's insurance department has encouraged market participation, though rural areas may have fewer plan options.
Physician Supply and Demand in South Carolina
With over 1,000 active cataract surgery providers, South Carolina maintains adequate specialist availability relative to its aging population, though distribution favors urban areas. The Medical University of South Carolina's ophthalmology residency program helps ensure a steady pipeline of new surgeons entering practice. This reasonable supply-to-demand ratio helps prevent the wait times and premium pricing seen in underserved regions.
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 South Carolina
What is the average cost of a Cataract Surgery visit in South Carolina without insurance?
Does South Carolina Medicaid cover Cataract Surgery visits?
How do I find an affordable Cataract Surgery near me in South Carolina?
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 South Carolina?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Cataract Surgery in South Carolina?
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 |