Cataract surgery involves removing the clouded lens and replacing it with an artificial one.
The cost of cataract surgery and lens implant surgery can be a significant concern to people suffering from cataracts. Fortunately, most U.S. surgeries are covered by either private insurance or Medicare. However, private coverage can vary significantly, and not all cataract patients are insured. Knowing the potential cost of cataract surgery can help patients make the right decision about their medical care, and regain normal vision as quickly as possible.
Definition
According to the Mayo Clinic, cataract surgery is normally an outpatient procedure that takes less than an hour to perform. Local anesthetics are used. This reduces the risk of the surgery and its costs. Some patients may be given a sedative to help them relax during the procedure. Cataracts may be removed using an incision to remove the lens, or via an ultrasound probe, which breaks up the lens and does less damage to the surrounding tissue. Once the cataract has been removed, an artificial lens is placed into the eye.
Fees
The cost of cataract surgery includes the cataract surgeon's fee, a fee for use of the facility, the cost of lens implant and any after-care costs. Even in cases when these fees are covered by private insurance, patients usually must pay a co-pay. They may also need to pay any costs under a certain deductible or the percentage of each expense that the insurance does not cover.
Average Costs
According to CostHelper, patients without health insurance usually pay $5,000 to $10,000 per eye for cataract surgery. Patients covered either by Medicare or private insurance must normally pay 10 to 20 percent of the costs, averaging about $1,000. Patients with a supplemental Medicare insurance policy do not need to pay these fees, since they are covered under the policy.
Extra Costs
Patients may pay more for cataract surgery if a special lens, such as a multifocal or UV-blocking lens, is used after cataract removal. According to CostHelper, these may cost as much as $1,000 more than normal lenses. Patients may also require prescription eye drops, which may or may not be covered by insurance. About 25 percent of patients may need corrective surgery within five years to correct cloudiness. This procedure costs $250 to $450, but is normally covered by insurance.
Considerations
Cataract surgery does carry some risk of complications, including retinal swelling, astigmatism, glaucoma, infection and a higher risk of retinal detachment. Treatment for these complications may raise the cost of surgery. Because of these risks, the National Eye Institute recommends that cataract surgery only be performed for people whose cataracts are interfering with daily life, and that patients use a doctor certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology.
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