Cataract Surgery Cost Calculator
Estimate the total out-of-pocket cost of cataract surgery — including surgeon fees, facility fees, premium lens upgrades, Medicare coverage, and the impact on your retirement budget.
Surgery Details
Standard IOLs are fully covered by Medicare. Premium lenses (multifocal, toric) require out-of-pocket upgrades but can reduce dependence on glasses.
Pre-Op & Post-Op Costs
Insurance & Coverage
Medicare Part B covers cataract surgery as medically necessary. Private insurance typically covers similarly.
Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plans cover most or all of the 20% coinsurance and deductible, significantly reducing your out-of-pocket costs.
Premium Lens Upgrades
Surgery Affordability Score
Cataract surgery is very affordable given your insurance coverage and financial situation. You are well-positioned to cover these costs.
Total Estimated Cost
$16,900
Your Out-of-Pocket
$5,372
Total Estimated Cost
$16,900
2 eyes, standard lens
Insurance Covers
$11,528
Medicare Part B
Your Out-of-Pocket
$5,372
total you pay
Monthly Budget Impact
$448
if spread over 12 months
Standard IOL vs. Premium Lens Total Costs
Standard total: $16,900 | Premium total: $23,900
Cost Breakdown by Category
Where your cataract surgery dollars go
Total
$15,250
Surgeon Fees
46%$7,000/yr
Facility Fees
33%$5,000/yr
Anesthesia
8%$1,200/yr
Medications
4%$600/yr
Follow-Up & Pre-Op
10%$1,450/yr
Retirement Savings Impact Over 5 Years
How paying out-of-pocket affects your retirement savings vs. keeping the money invested
Itemized Cost Breakdown
Detailed view of each cost component and what insurance covers
| Item | Gross Cost | Insurance Covers | Your Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surgeon Fee | $7,000 | $5,600 | $1,400 |
| Facility Fee | $5,000 | $4,000 | $1,000 |
| Anesthesia | $1,200 | $960 | $240 |
| Pre-Op Exam | $250 | $200 | $50 |
| Follow-Up Visits | $1,200 | $960 | $240 |
| Post-Op Eye Drops | $600 | - | $600 |
| Transportation | $150 | - | $150 |
| Complication Buffer | $1,500 | - | $1,500 |
| TOTAL | $16,900 | $11,720 | $5,180 |
Personalized Insights
Actionable recommendations based on your numbers
Medicare Part B covers standard cataract surgery
Medicare Part B covers cataract surgery when it is medically necessary, including the surgeon fee, facility fee, anesthesia, and one pair of standard eyeglasses or contacts after surgery. You pay the Part B deductible ($240) and 20% coinsurance. A Medigap supplemental plan could significantly reduce your out-of-pocket costs.
Your out-of-pocket cost: $5,372
This represents 1.2 months of your retirement budget. This is a manageable expense relative to your monthly budget.
Use HSA or FSA funds to pay with pre-tax dollars
Cataract surgery, premium lens upgrades, and prescription eye drops are all eligible HSA and FSA expenses. Paying with pre-tax dollars effectively saves you 22-37% depending on your tax bracket. If you have an HSA, this is one of the best uses of those funds in retirement.
Standard IOL keeps costs lowest with full Medicare coverage
Standard monofocal IOLs are fully covered by Medicare as part of the surgery. You will likely still need reading glasses afterward, but your out-of-pocket surgical costs are minimized. You can always upgrade to premium lenses if desired — ask your surgeon about the cost difference.
Plan for 4 weeks between surgeries
Surgeons typically schedule the second eye 4 weeks after the first to allow healing and assess results. Try to schedule both eyes within the same calendar year to use one annual deductible. Budget for reduced activities during the total recovery period of 6-8 weeks.
Key questions to ask your surgeon before scheduling
Ask about: (1) Surgery center vs. hospital — centers are typically 30-50% cheaper. (2) Which premium lens brands they use and why. (3) Whether laser-assisted surgery is truly necessary for your case. (4) Their complication rate and what happens if a follow-up procedure is needed. (5) Payment plans or financing options for the out-of-pocket portion.
Budget for potential post-operative needs
About 5-10% of patients develop posterior capsule opacification (cloudy vision) months after surgery, requiring a quick YAG laser procedure ($500-$1,500). Your $1,500 complication buffer helps cover this. Other rare complications include infection, swelling, or retinal detachment. Most are treatable but add cost.
5-year opportunity cost: $7,189
Withdrawing $5,372 from retirement savings means losing $1,817 in potential investment growth over 5 years at 6% returns. However, delaying medically necessary cataract surgery can lead to falls, reduced independence, and higher healthcare costs that far exceed the surgery price.