Charitable organizations like Lion’s Club International and government resources like Medicaid help with the financial costs of cataract surgery for people who cannot otherwise afford it.

Surgery is the only way to remove cataracts. An eye surgeon does this by replacing your cloudy lens with an artificial one.

If you don’t have insurance, surgery can be expensive. While private insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid usually cover cataract surgery, you may still have additional costs even with insurance. These costs can add up, especially if you’re living on a fixed income.

Keep reading to learn how to get financial assistance for cataract surgery, a specific organization that may help, and how much the surgery usually costs.

Many charitable organizations can help cover these additional costs associated with cataract surgery if you meet their requirements. They can also help cover the cost if you don’t have insurance.

Organizations that provide financial assistance for vision services

Organizations that may provide vision assistance can also include:

  • Eye Care America: This organization, run by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, provides free eye exams for citizens and permanent residents without insurance or veteran benefits. However, it does not cover cataract surgery or eyeglasses, as these are outside the scope of its program. It may provide eye exams if you need them.
  • Eyes of Hope by VSP: This program provides free eye exams and eyeglasses for people without health insurance who have limited incomes. It does not cover cataract surgery, but may cover related exams or eyeglasses.
  • Prevent Blindness: This charitable organization provides a list of additional resources for financial assistance for vision services.

If you already have an eye doctor, they may also be able to recommend discounted or free cataract surgery in your area.

The qualifications for financial assistance for cataract surgery or free cataract surgery depend on the specific organization providing assistance. Requirements may include:

  • not having insurance or being underinsured
  • having an income below a certain level
  • not having received vision services from another charitable organization in the past
  • having severe cataracts that negatively affect your daily life
  • being over or under a certain age, such as having childhood cataracts

If you meet a specific organization’s requirements, a representative may guide you through the process. This may include:

  • applying online
  • requesting paperwork
  • scheduling an eye exam
  • scheduling your surgery

Organizations may have a waiting period. It can be difficult to manage vision loss while you are waiting for care. You may be able to access other resources for people with low vision during the meantime. This might include receiving a cane or assistance getting to and from appointments.

The cost of cataract surgery can depend on your insurance plan (if you have one) and your location. Many options offer payment plans that allow you to pay over time rather than in one lump payment.

General costs

According to Medicare, cataract surgery costs nationwide average between $1,928 and $2,994 per eye, depending on whether your surgery takes place in a surgical center that’s not part of a hospital or in a hospital’s outpatient surgical center.

However, these numbers can vary widely. You may also have additional costs, including anesthesiology, which may make your total costs as much as $10,000 per eye without insurance. The facility should be able to provide an estimate of your cost prior to the surgery.

With Medicare

If you have Medicare, your average out-of-pocket cost is $384 (for a surgical center that isn’t part of a hospital) or $598 (for a hospital’s outpatient surgical center).

With Medicaid

Medicaid is a federal and state program that provides insurance options for people with limited resources and income. It may cover cataract surgery if your vision is severely impacted.

Coverage and requirements vary by state.

With private insurance

If you have private insurance, the costs can vary depending on:

  • your plan
  • your location
  • whether the surgical center and related services are all in-network

You can contact the number on the back of your insurance card or talk with the administrative staff at the surgical center for an estimate before you decide to have cataract surgery.

Additional costs

It’s important to note that cataract surgery may have additional costs. You may receive separate bills for:

You may have higher costs if any of those providers are not in your plan’s network.

If you do not have insurance or are experiencing financial hardship, you may be able to get cataract surgery through a charitable organization such as Lion’s Club International, Mission Cataract USA, or Operation Sight.

If your eyesight is not yet bad enough with cataracts for insurance or a charitable organization to cover surgery, you may be able to manage some of your symptoms by using brighter lightbulbs, reducing glare, and keeping your glasses prescription up to date.