South Carolina

Cost of a Cataract Surgery Visit
in South Carolina

Name: Cataract Surgery Cost in South Carolina (2026)
Creator: Jayant Panwar
Published: 2026-03-18

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

National avg: $888South Carolina: $785

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.

Full data methodology and glossary

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.

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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.

Healthcare Data AnalyticsCMS TiC DataInsurance Price Transparency

Frequently Asked Questions — Cataract Surgery Costs in South Carolina

What is the average cost of a Cataract Surgery visit in South Carolina without insurance?

Without insurance, cataract surgery in South Carolina typically costs between $327 and $1,383 per eye, with a median cost of $647 based on negotiated rates. Self-pay patients often receive significant discounts from these standard rates, with many surgeons offering package deals that include pre-operative consultation, surgery, and follow-up care. The final cost depends on the surgical facility type, lens selection, and whether additional procedures are needed.

Does South Carolina Medicaid cover Cataract Surgery visits?

South Carolina chose not to expand Medicaid, limiting eligibility to pregnant women, children, disabled individuals, and very low-income adults with dependent children. For qualifying patients, Medicaid covers medically necessary cataract surgery including basic intraocular lens implants. Premium lens upgrades are typically not covered and would require out-of-pocket payment. Patients should verify their specific eligibility and coverage details with their Medicaid managed care plan.

How do I find an affordable Cataract Surgery near me in South Carolina?

Compare costs between hospital-based surgery centers and independent ambulatory facilities, as independent centers often offer 20-30% lower fees. Ask about self-pay discounts and package pricing if you're uninsured or have a high-deductible plan. Community health centers in larger cities may offer sliding-scale fees based on income. Consider scheduling consultations with multiple surgeons to compare both quality and pricing options.

What is the difference in cost between an initial consultation and a follow-up visit?

Initial cataract surgery consultations typically involve comprehensive eye exams, diagnostic testing, and surgical planning, while follow-up visits focus on post-operative monitoring and are generally less expensive. The consultation usually includes specialized measurements for lens selection and surgical planning that aren't repeated in follow-up visits. Most surgeons include several post-operative visits in their surgical package pricing, so patients should clarify what's included in quoted fees.

Can I use an HSA or FSA to pay for a Cataract Surgery visit in South Carolina?

Yes, both HSA and FSA funds can be used for cataract surgery consultations, surgical procedures, and medically necessary lens implants as qualified medical expenses. Premium lens upgrades that correct astigmatism or presbyopia may also qualify if deemed medically necessary by your surgeon. Keep detailed receipts and documentation from your ophthalmologist to support the medical necessity of any treatments. Consult your HSA/FSA administrator for specific coverage questions about lens upgrades.

How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Cataract Surgery in South Carolina?

Telemedicine consultations for cataract surgery are limited since the condition requires hands-on examination and precise measurements for surgical planning. However, some surgeons offer virtual pre-operative consultations to review medical history and answer questions, potentially reducing overall visit costs. Post-operative follow-up visits may sometimes be conducted via telemedicine for routine monitoring, though most surgeons prefer in-person evaluation after cataract surgery. South Carolina's telemedicine regulations generally support these hybrid care models when clinically appropriate.

Click a state to compare costs

Average Visit Cost

$351

$3,412

Office visit (CPT 66984)

Compare With Other States

Rank	State	Average↓	Min⇅	Max⇅	Providers⇅
1	Wisconsin(WI) Range: $80 – $10,062	$3,412	$80	$10,062	3,125
2	Wyoming(WY) Range: $667 – $2,130	$1,240	$667	$2,130	174
3	Rhode Island(RI) Range: $448 – $2,135	$1,181	$448	$2,135	58
4	Massachusetts(MA) Range: $403 – $2,078	$1,139	$403	$2,078	1,014
5	Montana(MT) Range: $85 – $2,744	$1,127	$85	$2,744	48
6	Delaware(DE) Range: $343 – $2,135	$1,056	$343	$2,135	83
7	Nebraska(NE) Range: $641 – $1,313	$1,055	$641	$1,313	2,182
8	Washington(WA) Range: $616 – $1,521	$1,034	$616	$1,521	2,220
9	New Hampshire(NH) Range: $528 – $1,548	$1,023	$528	$1,548	3,663
10	New York(NY) Range: $364 – $2,135	$1,005	$364	$2,135	30,876
11	Colorado(CO) Range: $85 – $2,114	$1,003	$85	$2,114	1,468
12	New Mexico(NM) Range: $474 – $1,551	$982	$474	$1,551	1,206
13	Alaska(AK) Range: $85 – $2,135	$972	$85	$2,135	50
14	Georgia(GA) Range: $93 – $2,005	$970	$93	$2,005	3,287
15	Connecticut(CT) Range: $70 – $2,135	$961	$70	$2,135	414
16	Pennsylvania(PA) Range: $85 – $2,135	$946	$85	$2,135	984
17	Maine(ME) Range: $643 – $1,123	$945	$643	$1,123	1,524
18	North Carolina(NC) Range: $390 – $1,609	$940	$390	$1,609	2,276
19	California(CA) Range: $85 – $1,401	$899	$85	$1,401	2,015
20	Nevada(NV) Range: $415 – $1,453	$892	$415	$1,453	2,588
21	District of Columbia(DC) Range: $414 – $1,311	$871	$414	$1,311	318
22	Vermont(VT) Range: $403 – $1,548	$865	$403	$1,548	325
23	Iowa(IA) Range: $85 – $1,313	$861	$85	$1,313	296
24	Oregon(OR) Range: $85 – $1,687	$858	$85	$1,687	188
25	North Dakota(ND) Range: $80 – $1,609	$812	$80	$1,609	41
26	Mississippi(MS) Range: $430 – $1,451	$806	$430	$1,451	1,291
27	Minnesota(MN) Range: $90 – $1,548	$800	$90	$1,548	375
28	Utah(UT) Range: $85 – $1,209	$791	$85	$1,209	368
29	New Jersey(NJ) Range: $364 – $1,380	$790	$364	$1,380	6,526
30	South Carolina(SC) Range: $327 – $1,383	$785	$327	$1,383	1,098
31	Illinois(IL) Range: $418 – $1,200	$771	$418	$1,200	3,854
32	Alabama(AL) Range: $418 – $1,195	$767	$418	$1,195	2,384
33	Idaho(ID) Range: $85 – $1,348	$743	$85	$1,348	101
34	Tennessee(TN) Range: $418 – $1,090	$741	$418	$1,090	2,391
35	Hawaii(HI) Range: $85 – $1,386	$739	$85	$1,386	51
36	Louisiana(LA) Range: $226 – $1,345	$730	$226	$1,345	916
37	South Dakota(SD) Range: $95 – $1,313	$729	$95	$1,313	53
38	West Virginia(WV) Range: $85 – $1,409	$721	$85	$1,409	95
39	Maryland(MD) Range: $477 – $1,083	$714	$477	$1,083	3,982
40	Kansas(KS) Range: $502 – $912	$711	$502	$912	1,744
41	Virginia(VA) Range: $360 – $1,157	$710	$360	$1,157	2,789
42	Indiana(IN) Range: $70 – $1,385	$708	$70	$1,385	294
43	Kentucky(KY) Range: $85 – $1,313	$691	$85	$1,313	184
44	Missouri(MO) Range: $502 – $811	$680	$502	$811	5,258
45	Ohio(OH) Range: $335 – $1,087	$678	$335	$1,087	3,282
46	Texas(TX) Range: $85 – $1,210	$662	$85	$1,210	6,544
47	Michigan(MI) Range: $85 – $1,073	$645	$85	$1,073	1,788
48	Arkansas(AR) Range: $85 – $1,042	$624	$85	$1,042	118
49	Arizona(AZ) Range: $448 – $898	$614	$448	$898	5,028
50	Oklahoma(OK) Range: $85 – $960	$525	$85	$960	1,703
51	Florida(FL) Range: $35 – $964	$351	$35	$964	4,841