Cost of a Cataract Surgery Visit
in Virginia
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
Virginia's healthcare costs run approximately 3% above the national average, reflecting the state's mix of urban centers and rural communities served by major insurers like Anthem and Optima Health. Cataract Surgery patients typically pay between $359 and $1,156, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $614 based on negotiated insurance rates from over 2,700 active providers across the state. Virginia residents can browse all available Cataract Surgery specialists to compare costs and find in-network options throughout the Commonwealth.
Average
$710
Median
$614
Lowest
$360
Highest
$1,157
Providers
2,789
20% below national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does cataract surgery compare to related procedures in Virginia?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knee Replacement Total knee replacement (arthroplasty) | 27447 | $976 | $1,473 | $2,946 | 2,671 |
| Hip Replacement Total hip replacement (arthroplasty) | 27130 | $920 | $1,473 | $2,659 | 2,724 |
| Knee Arthroscopy Arthroscopy of the knee with meniscectomy | 29881 | $389 | $587 | $1,182 | 2,679 |
| Gallbladder Removal (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic cholecystectomy | 47562 | $98 | $686 | $1,355 | 3,145 |
| Appendectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic appendectomy | 44970 | $404 | $622 | $1,238 | 2,859 |
| Hysterectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic total hysterectomy | 58571 | $601 | $956 | $1,782 | 2,772 |
| Septoplasty Nasal septum repair | 30520 | $433 | $646 | $1,298 | 2,682 |
| Tonsillectomy Tonsillectomy, primary or secondary | 42820 | $192 | $307 | $589 | 2,754 |
| Inguinal Hernia Repair Inguinal hernia repair | 49505 | $358 | $554 | $1,079 | 2,668 |
| Mastectomy Partial or simple mastectomy | 19301 | $346 | $626 | $1,292 | 2,760 |
| Carpal Tunnel Surgery Open carpal tunnel release | 64721 | $309 | $464 | $920 | 2,679 |
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 Virginia
These hospitals in Virginia are top-rated for patient satisfaction. Review data sourced from HCAHPS Patient Survey.
Fort Belvoir, VA
SALEM, VA
GRUNDY, VA
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA
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 Virginia
Virginia's healthcare costs run about 3% above the national average, driven by the state's proximity to high-cost Washington D.C. markets and the concentration of federal employees with generous health benefits. The Commonwealth's geographic diversity creates significant cost variations, from premium-priced Northern Virginia to more affordable rural regions in Southwest Virginia.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
Northern Virginia and Richmond offer abundant Cataract Surgery options with competitive pricing, while rural areas like the Shenandoah Valley and Southwest Virginia have fewer specialists, potentially leading to longer wait times and higher costs. The state's mountainous terrain and scattered rural populations make it challenging for some residents to access specialized eye care locally. Patients in underserved areas may need to travel to urban centers, adding transportation costs to their overall care expenses.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
Virginia's major health systems like VCU Health, UVA Health, and Sentara dominate the market, with their hospital-based surgery centers typically charging higher facility fees than independent ambulatory surgical centers. Academic medical centers in Richmond and Charlottesville often have premium pricing due to their teaching hospital status and research overhead. Freestanding surgery centers, particularly in suburban markets, frequently offer more competitive rates for routine cataract procedures.
Insurance Market Competition in Virginia
Anthem holds the largest market share in Virginia, followed by Optima Health (primarily in Hampton Roads) and UnitedHealthcare, creating moderate insurer competition that benefits patients through negotiated rate controls. The state's large federal workforce influences the market significantly, as FEHB plans often secure favorable rates with regional providers. Rural areas may have limited insurer participation, potentially leading to higher out-of-network costs for residents with fewer plan options.
Physician Supply and Demand in Virginia
With over 2,700 active Cataract Surgery providers, Virginia has relatively good specialist availability compared to many states, particularly in metropolitan areas around Washington D.C., Richmond, and Norfolk. This adequate supply helps maintain competitive pricing and shorter wait times in urban markets. However, the state's aging population is increasing demand for cataract services, and some rural counties still experience ophthalmologist shortages that can drive up costs and extend appointment lead times.
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 Virginia
What is the average cost of a Cataract Surgery visit in Virginia without insurance?
Does Virginia Medicaid cover Cataract Surgery visits?
How do I find an affordable Cataract Surgery near me in Virginia?
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 Virginia?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Cataract Surgery in Virginia?
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 |