Cost of a Cataract Surgery Visit
in Wisconsin
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
Wisconsin's aging population drives demand for Cataract Surgery services across the state's diverse healthcare landscape. Patients typically experience variable costs for cataract surgery procedures, with negotiated rates showing significant variation between providers and facilities throughout Wisconsin. The state maintains many active Cataract Surgery providers, allowing patients to browse all providers in Wisconsin when seeking care.
Average
$3,412
Median
$95
Lowest
$80
Highest
$10,062
Providers
3,125
284% above national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does cataract surgery compare to related procedures in Wisconsin?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knee Replacement Total knee replacement (arthroplasty) | 27447 | $73 | $3,723 | $10,559 | 2,606 |
| Hip Replacement Total hip replacement (arthroplasty) | 27130 | $73 | $3,602 | $10,564 | 2,707 |
| Knee Arthroscopy Arthroscopy of the knee with meniscectomy | 29881 | $73 | $1,658 | $4,236 | 2,595 |
| Gallbladder Removal (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic cholecystectomy | 47562 | $73 | $1,221 | $4,635 | 3,551 |
| Appendectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic appendectomy | 44970 | $73 | $1,115 | $5,429 | 4,057 |
| Hysterectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic total hysterectomy | 58571 | $73 | $1,742 | $5,848 | 5,130 |
| Septoplasty Nasal septum repair | 30520 | $95 | $1,082 | $4,419 | 1,138 |
| Tonsillectomy Tonsillectomy, primary or secondary | 42820 | $95 | $547 | $1,404 | 1,113 |
| Inguinal Hernia Repair Inguinal hernia repair | 49505 | $73 | $1,248 | $4,031 | 2,412 |
| Mastectomy Partial or simple mastectomy | 19301 | $73 | $984 | $3,947 | 2,389 |
| Carpal Tunnel Surgery Open carpal tunnel release | 64721 | $85 | $747 | $5,357 | 2,273 |
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 Wisconsin
These hospitals in Wisconsin are top-rated for patient satisfaction. Review data sourced from HCAHPS Patient Survey.
GLENDALE, WI
ALTOONA, WI
PRAIRIE DU SAC, WI
MADISON, WI
WOODRUFF, WI
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 Wisconsin
Wisconsin's healthcare costs run approximately 1% above national averages, reflecting the state's mix of urban medical centers and rural healthcare challenges. The state's geographic spread from Lake Superior to the Illinois border creates distinct regional cost patterns for specialized services like Cataract Surgery.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
Milwaukee and Madison concentrate most of Wisconsin's high-volume cataract surgeons, while rural areas often require patients to travel significant distances for specialized care. Northern Wisconsin's sparse population density limits local competition, sometimes resulting in higher procedure costs. The Fox Valley region provides a middle ground with moderate provider density and competitive pricing.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
Large health systems like Froedtert, UW Health, and Advocate Aurora dominate Wisconsin's hospital-based cataract surgery market, often charging higher facility fees than independent surgery centers. Free-standing ambulatory surgery centers throughout the state typically offer lower overhead costs and more transparent pricing. Academic medical centers in Madison and Milwaukee may include teaching hospital premiums in their surgical fees.
Insurance Market Competition in Wisconsin
BCBS Wisconsin holds significant market share alongside UHC and WEA Trust, creating moderate competition that affects negotiated rates for Cataract Surgery procedures. Rural areas often have fewer insurer options, potentially limiting patient leverage in cost negotiations. The state's insurance marketplace provides additional coverage choices that can impact out-of-pocket expenses.
Physician Supply and Demand in Wisconsin
Wisconsin maintains adequate ophthalmologist supply in urban areas while experiencing shortages in rural regions, affecting both access and pricing patterns. The state's aging population increases demand for cataract surgery, potentially influencing wait times and costs. Physician recruitment challenges in northern Wisconsin sometimes lead to higher compensation requirements that affect patient pricing.
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 Wisconsin
What is the average cost of a Cataract Surgery visit in Wisconsin without insurance?
Does Wisconsin Medicaid cover Cataract Surgery visits?
How do I find an affordable Cataract Surgery near me in Wisconsin?
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 Wisconsin?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Cataract Surgery in Wisconsin?
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 |