Cataract surgery for the treatment of visual impairment from a cataract is one of the most commonly performed procedures in the United States today. Patients who have health insurance such as a PPO (preferred provider organization) or Medicare may be responsible for a deductible and/or a co-insurance on the total cost of the standard cataract procedure. The patient responsibility amount may vary from $0 to $1,500 per eye, depending on the insurance provider and any previous medical services that have been used during the calendar year. We now have the ability to improve visual perception after cataract surgery with the help of advanced technology intraocular lens options that range from $1,250 to $6,500 per eye in out-of-pocket expenses not covered by insurance companies.
How much does cataract surgery cost?
In Southern California, the cost of cataract eye surgery varies from $0 to $6,500 per eye depending on your insurance coverage and the type of visual acuity result you hope to achieve.
What factors affect the cost of cataract surgery?
The main factors that effect the cost of cataract surgery are the type of insurance you have, the type of facility used for the procedure, and the type of lens implant that is used at the time of cataract surgery. Your medical coverage will likely afford you benefits in the field of surgical ophthalmology, and those benefits are explained further in the next section. We perform cataract surgery at an outpatient surgery center located in Long Beach California since this lowers potential cost for patients compared to having surgery performed in a hospital setting.
Lens implant technology has improved dramatically in the last decade in this medical specialty. Insurance providers will typically only cover the most basic lens options. Upgraded lens implant options will require an out-of-pocket investment on the patient’s part. Our surgeon offers premium lens implant technology that will help you reach your vision goals. These lens options include toric lens (for astigmatism correction), extended depth of focus lens (to increase the range of your vision), and trifocal lens (to reduce your need for reading glasses). This lens technology has the capability to correct astigmatism and reduce your dependence on corrective lens or reading glasses. At Lucent Vision we believe in personalization of our surgical plans so that our patients can attain the excellent visual perception they need for their everyday life. Patients who have had LASIK in the past may need the upgraded technology in these lenses to maintain the high level of vision they are accustomed to.
Will My Medical Insurance Cover Cataract Surgery?
Yes. Most major medical insurance carriers, including Medicare, offer the benefits of standard cataract surgery in their plans. Medical insurance plans generally cover the medical exam to establish the medical diagnosis of cataracts, the physician and facility fees for the actual procedure, the anesthesia, and a standard lens implant. Even if cataract surgery is a benefit offered by your insurance plan, you may still have a share of cost that is associated with the cataract surgery experience. These expenses are dictated by your insurance plan and include copayment (co-pays), deductibles, and co-insurances. On the day of your eye examination our highly trained staff will be able to answer any of your questions regarding your share of cost for the procedure.
More FAQ’s About How Much Does Cataract Surgery Cost In Long Beach
What is the average cost of cataract surgery in Long Beach?
The average cost of cataract surgery in Long Beach will range from $0 to $6,500 per eye. This cost includes any deductible, co-pay, co-insurance amounts, as well as any out-of-pocket expenses for upgrades to your lens implant technology. It is also important to note that if you do not have medical insurance, or if you are a part of an HMO plan that is not accepted at our clinic, Lucent Vision offers competitive cash-pay prices to undergo cataract surgery.
Does the cost of cataract surgery in Long Beach vary between clinics?
Yes. There are a number of reasons why the cost may vary between different clinics. These differences include:
- There are many newer imaging tests that may allow for better surgical planning. These tests can help us evaluate the human eye from the cornea in the front of the eye to the retina in the back. Not all clinics will have these tests, and not all of these tests are covered by insurance.
- The intraocular lens implant technology varies based on the clinic.
- Skill level and surgical experience may vary based on the surgeon. Surgeons with better skills, technology, and experience may charge more in out-of-pocket expenses.
Are there any insurance plans that cover cataract surgery?
Cataract extraction with artificial lens implant is covered my most major medical insurance plans including Medicare part B. Cataract removal for vision correction in patients with a medical diagnosis of cataracts is usually considered a medically necessary treatment. Insurance providers will typically require documentation of your signs and symptoms of blurry vision resulting from cataracts. If you have a diagnosis of glaucoma in addition to cataracts, your insurance plan may also cover the cost of a pressure-reducing implant in the eye known as an iStent. This type of a stent can be placed at the time of cataract surgery with minimal risk and a possible benefit of reducing the need for glaucoma medicine after the surgery.
How much does laser cataract surgery cost in Long Beach compared to traditional cataract surgery?
Using laser energy to assist in parts of cataract surgery is more expensive than conventional cataract surgery without laser. In general, using laser technology during cataract surgery will add $750 to $2,500 to the cost of the procedure. In both laser cataract surgery and traditional cataract surgery a technique called phacoemulsification using ultrasound energy is used to safely remove pieces of the cataract.
At Lucent Vision we do not recommend laser cataract surgery because it is not in the patient’s best interest. Here are the specific reasons we do not recommend laser cataract surgery:
- There is no data that using laser energy to assist with cataract surgery reduces the risk of complications. Laser cataract surgery is not safer than traditional cataract surgery.
- There is no evidence that laser cataract surgery leads to better outcomes. Multiple large studies have been done in the ophthalmology literature that have demonstrated that visual outcomes are essentially the same between laser cataract surgery and traditional cataract surgery.
- Adding laser treatment to the cataract surgery adds unnecessary time, discomfort, and cost for the patient.
- Since there is no added value to patients with laser cataract surgery, we do not recommend it to our patients.
You can see the study results on laser cataract surgery from the British Journal of Ophthalmology by cutting and pasting this link into your browser: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32699049/
Are follow-up visits and medication included in the total cost of cataract surgery?
Yes. Most health plans and surgeons include post-operative care up to 90 days after the procedure in the original cost. The frequency of follow-up visits may depend on your particular course of healing. Medicated eye drops may be needed after your cataract surgery to control pain, reduce the risk of infection, and accelerate your healing. These medicated eye drops may be covered by your drug plan, especially if the drops are a generic variety of the medicine. Not all surgeons use the same eye drops; as a matter of fact, some surgeons do not use medicated eye drops at all.
Is financing available for cataract surgery?
Yes. Financing is available for any out-of-pocket costs that are associated with premium cataract surgery as well as cash-pay cataract surgery. At Lucent Vision we offer Alphaeon as our primary financing partner and most patients are approved for health care financing. With the help of our financing partner we are able to make out-of-pocket costs more affordable by providing patients with a monthly payment arrangement that better fits their budget. It is important to note that financing options are not available for costs that are incurred from your insurance coverage such as copayments, deductibles, or co-insurances.
How do the costs of cataract surgery in Long Beach compare to nearby cities or states?
The costs of cataract surgery in Long Beach California are similar through out the Southern California region. Costs may be higher in certain regions such as West Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and Newport Beach. The costs of cataract surgery in the state of California are higher than those in surrounding states much like other services and goods.
source https://lucentvision2020.com/procedures/how-much-does-cataract-surgery-cost-in-long-beach/
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