Cost of a Cataract Surgery Visit
in Tennessee
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
Tennessee's non-expanded Medicaid status creates unique challenges for eye care access, particularly for cataract surgery patients who often face higher out-of-pocket costs. Cataract Surgery procedures in Tennessee typically cost between $418 and $1,090, with a median rate of $715 based on negotiated insurance rates. With over 2,390 active Cataract Surgery providers across the state, Tennessee patients have substantial options when seeking treatment from Nashville's major medical centers to rural community hospitals.
Average
$741
Median
$715
Lowest
$418
Highest
$1,090
Providers
2,391
17% below national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does cataract surgery compare to related procedures in Tennessee?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knee Replacement Total knee replacement (arthroplasty) | 27447 | $1,147 | $1,734 | $2,647 | 2,258 |
| Hip Replacement Total hip replacement (arthroplasty) | 27130 | $1,095 | $1,701 | $2,579 | 2,352 |
| Knee Arthroscopy Arthroscopy of the knee with meniscectomy | 29881 | $466 | $690 | $1,057 | 2,276 |
| Gallbladder Removal (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic cholecystectomy | 47562 | $531 | $835 | $1,300 | 2,318 |
| Appendectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic appendectomy | 44970 | $90 | $748 | $1,258 | 2,637 |
| Hysterectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic total hysterectomy | 58571 | $85 | $1,116 | $1,679 | 2,384 |
| Septoplasty Nasal septum repair | 30520 | $516 | $732 | $1,155 | 2,275 |
| Tonsillectomy Tonsillectomy, primary or secondary | 42820 | $234 | $364 | $559 | 2,379 |
| Inguinal Hernia Repair Inguinal hernia repair | 49505 | $440 | $660 | $1,016 | 2,254 |
| Mastectomy Partial or simple mastectomy | 19301 | $371 | $763 | $1,198 | 2,374 |
| Carpal Tunnel Surgery Open carpal tunnel release | 64721 | $332 | $503 | $804 | 2,426 |
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 Tennessee
These hospitals in Tennessee are top-rated for patient satisfaction. Review data sourced from HCAHPS Patient Survey.
MOUNTAIN HOME, TN
MANCHESTER, TN
HUNTINGDON, TN
FRANKLIN, TN
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 Tennessee
Tennessee's cataract surgery costs run approximately 4% below national averages, reflecting the state's lower overall healthcare costs and rural provider mix. The state's geography creates distinct cost zones, with Nashville and Memphis commanding premium pricing while rural areas offer more affordable options.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
Tennessee's three major metropolitan areas - Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville - concentrate most subspecialty ophthalmologists, while rural counties often rely on traveling surgeons or require patient travel for surgery. Rural surgical centers typically charge lower facility fees but may have limited advanced technology options. The drive to urban centers can add travel costs but provides access to high-volume surgeons and premium lens options.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
Hospital-owned outpatient surgery centers in Tennessee typically charge higher facility fees than independent ambulatory surgery centers, reflecting greater overhead costs and staffing models. Major health systems like Vanderbilt, Saint Thomas, and Methodist Le Bonheur often have premium pricing structures. Independent surgery centers, particularly in suburban areas, frequently offer competitive pricing while maintaining quality outcomes.
Insurance Market Competition in Tennessee
BCBS TN holds significant market share statewide, followed by UHC and Cigna, creating moderate insurer competition that affects negotiated surgery rates. The concentrated market means fewer negotiating parties, potentially limiting rate variations between insurers. Rural areas often have even less insurer choice, with BCBS TN dominating many counties and affecting competitive pricing dynamics.
Physician Supply and Demand in Tennessee
With over 2,390 providers performing cataract procedures across Tennessee, the state maintains adequate surgical capacity in urban areas but faces shortages in rural regions. Nashville's concentration of ophthalmology residency programs creates a steady pipeline of surgeons, helping moderate pricing through healthy competition. Rural counties often experience longer wait times and may see higher demand-driven pricing for locally available surgeons.
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 Tennessee
What is the average cost of a Cataract Surgery visit in Tennessee without insurance?
Does Tennessee Medicaid cover Cataract Surgery visits?
How do I find an affordable Cataract Surgery near me in Tennessee?
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 Tennessee?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Cataract Surgery in Tennessee?
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 |