Medicare covers basic cataract surgery, but you may have out-of-pocket expenses. The exact cost will depend on where you get the surgery and which plan you have.

Cataract surgery is a safe and common eye procedure. The National Eye Institute reports that more than 50% of Americans 80 years or older have cataracts or have had cataract surgery. Different kinds of cataract surgeries also have varying costs.

Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans typically cover cataract surgery. However, you may need to pay additional costs, such as hospital or clinic fees, deductibles, and copayments.

There are two main kinds of cataract surgery, and Medicare covers both. These are:

  • Phacoemulsification: This type uses ultrasound to break up the cloudy lens. Then, it is removed, and an intraocular lens (IOL) is inserted to replace it.
  • Extracapsular: This type removes the cloudy lens in one piece and inserts an IOL to replace it.

Your eye doctor will determine which type of surgery is best for your circumstances.

The table below shows different out-of-pocket cataract surgery costs based on Medicare’s national 2025 procedure data. The costs of these procedures may vary by state and the specifics of your condition and needs.

The exact cost of your cataract surgery will depend on:

  • your Medicare plan
  • type of surgery you need
  • how long your surgery takes
  • where you have the surgery (clinic or hospital)
  • other medical conditions you have
  • potential complications
Cost of cataract surgery with Medicare

An estimated cost of cataract surgery could be:

  • Cataract surgery taking place in an ambulatory surgical center or clinic is $1,214. Medicare pays $971, and your cost is $242.
  • Cataract surgery in a hospital outpatient department is $2,280. Medicare pays $1,824, and your cost is $456.

These estimates include doctor and facility fees.

Costs are based on 2025 national averages and may vary based on location.

Medicare covers basic cataract surgery, including:

  • cataract removal
  • lens implantation
  • one pair of prescription eyeglasses or a set of contact lenses after the procedure

Original Medicare comprises parts A and B.

Medicare Part A

Medicare Part A covers inpatient care. While hospitalization isn’t usually necessary for cataract surgery, if you get the surgery while admitted to a hospital or need to be admitted to the hospital, coverage would come from Part A.

Medicare Part B

Medicare Part B covers outpatient medical services. If you have Original Medicare, Part B will cover your cataract surgery. Part B also covers doctor’s appointments, such as seeing your eye doctor before and after the cataract surgery.

Part B may also cover some medications related to your surgery. For example, if you need to use certain eye drops only before your surgery, Part B may cover them, along with any medications you need during and immediately following the procedure.

Medicare Advantage (Part C)

Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans cover the same services as Medicare parts A and B. Private insurers administer these plans on Medicare’s behalf.

Medicare Advantage plans must include the same benefits as Original Medicare, so they would cover eligible cataract surgery. However, they may have different out-of-pocket costs and facility rules.

Medicare Part D

Medicare Part D covers take-home prescription medications. If you need prescription drugs after your cataract surgery, Part D plans may cover them.

Medicare supplement plans (Medigap)

Medicare supplement (Medigap) plans cover some of Original Medicare’s out-of-pocket costs, such as deductibles and copayments. These plans may help with out-of-pocket expenses associated with cataract surgery.

You’ll need information from your eye doctor to determine what you may need to pay out of pocket for cataract surgery.

Questions to ask your doctor

You can ask your doctor the following questions to help determine your out-of-pocket costs for cataract surgery:

  • Do you accept Medicare?
  • Will the procedure be performed at a surgical center or at a hospital?
  • Will I be an inpatient or an outpatient for this surgery?
  • What prescription medications will I need before and after cataract surgery?
  • What is the Medicare code or specific name of the procedure you plan to perform? (You can use this code or name to look up costs on Medicare’s procedure price lookup tool.)

Your doctor may be able to tell you what percentage of your surgery is covered and what you will need to pay out of pocket.

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan or another plan through a private insurer, your plan provider can tell you your expected out-of-pocket costs.

Your Medicare coverage and the plans you choose will determine the exact amount you will pay out of pocket. Other coverage factors that will affect your out-of-pocket costs include:

  • Your Medicare plans
  • deductibles
  • out-of-pocket plan limits
  • whether you have other health insurance
  • whether you also have Medicaid
  • whether Medicare Part D covers the medications you’ll need
  • whether other medical conditions make the procedure more complex

If you are a veteran, your VA benefits may be more affordable for cataract surgery.

A cataract forms when the clear lens of your eye becomes stiff or cloudy. Symptoms of cataracts include:

  • cloudy vision
  • blurred or dim vision
  • faded or yellowed colors
  • double vision
  • difficulty seeing at night
  • seeing halos around lights
  • sensitivity to bright light and glare
  • changes in vision

Cataract surgery removes and replaces the clouded lens with a surgically implanted lens. An ophthalmologist (eye surgeon) typically performs this type of surgery as an outpatient procedure, meaning that you should not need to stay in a hospital overnight.

Here are some commonly asked questions about cataract surgery and Medicare.

While Medicare covers cataract surgery, you will likely have to pay out-of-pocket for doctors’ fees or copayments.

Your costs can depend on your location and the type of facility that performs your surgery.

Medicare estimates that you will pay around $384 to have the surgery at an ambulatory surgical center and $598 to have the surgery at a hospital outpatient department.

Medicare Part B typically covers corrective lenses, such as one pair of glasses or one set of contacts, after cataract surgery to implant an intraocular lens.

Medicare and many other insurers cover medically necessary cataract surgery.

You’re typically eligible if your best correct visual acuity is 20/40 or worse, or glare testing reduces your vision.

Some insurers may also cover surgery if daily activities are difficult due to your cataracts.

Cataract surgery is a common procedure covered by Medicare. However, Medicare doesn’t pay all the costs, so you may still have some out-of-pocket expenses.

Costs can include deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and premium fees.

There may also be additional costs if you need more advanced cataract surgery or have health complications.