Is cataract surgery Part B?
Asked by: Kirstin Harvey | Last update: January 10, 2026Score: 4.1/5 (51 votes)
Does part B cover cataract surgery?
In general, Medicare Part B covers the full cost of cataract surgery. This includes a pre-surgery exam and any post-surgery care. It will also cover any ophthalmologist and facility fees. After you meet the Part B deductible, you'll pay the 20% coinsurance for the surgery and anesthesia.
What insurance pays for cataract surgery?
Yes, cataract surgery is covered by Medicare and commercial insurance as a medically necessary procedure, granted that the patient meets certain criteria. While requirements vary, a patient needs to be symptomatic and express difficulty performing any number of activities of daily living.
Will Medicare pay for cataract surgery in 2024?
Yes, if you have original Medicare. You must first meet the annual deductible, which will be $240 in 2024, and pay 20% of the cost of cataract surgery. Medicare Part B covers 80% of the cost of the surgery and post-surgical corrective lenses.
What is cataract surgery considered?
Cataract surgery is the most commonly performed surgical procedure, compared with any other surgery in medicine. It is also one of the safest surgical procedures. The operation involves swapping out the cloudy natural lens of the eye, or cataract, with a new artificial lens.
Does Medicare Cover Cataract Surgery?
What is cataract surgery classification?
There are majorly five types of cataract surgery, such as are Phacoemulsification (Phaco Surgery), Extracapsular Cataract Extraction (ECCE), Intracapsular Cataract Extraction (ICCE), Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery (LACS), and Refractive Lens Exchange with Intraocular Lens (IOL) implants.
What is the biggest complaint after cataract surgery?
1. Mild discomfort and itching after cataract surgery. Mild discomfort and itching are among the most common and immediately noticeable problems after cataract surgery, because it is natural for the eye to feel slightly irritated while it heals.
What is average out of pocket cost for cataract surgery with Medicare?
Average cataract surgery costs vary depending on the source. Medicare, which bases national averages on 2022 payments, indicates the average cost ranges between $1,808 and $2,866 per eye, depending on which type of care facility performs the procedure.
Why won't Medicare pay for my cataract surgery?
Medicare pays money toward cataract surgery as long as a doctor agrees that it is medically necessary. The cost of cataract surgery may vary. Medicare Part B usually covers 80% of the surgical costs. People may wish to use Medicare supplement plans, such as Medigap, to help cover the remaining 20%.
Why is laser cataract surgery not covered by insurance?
Laser-assisted cataract surgery is not covered because insurance companies will not pay the additional expense of having surgery by laser. In addition, surgeons are not lawfully allowed to bill patients an upcharge for a laser cataract procedure, since insurance companies cover non-laser cataract surgery.
Do you get free glasses after cataract surgery with Medicare?
Typically, Medicare does not cover eyeglasses or contact lenses. However, after cataract surgery Medicare will cover one standard pair of untinted prescription eyeglasses or one set of contact lenses. If it is medically necessary, Medicare may pay for customized eyeglasses or contact lenses.
How much should cataract surgery cost?
Average Cost of Cataract Surgery
In the United States, cataract surgery costs between $3,500 and $7,000 per eye, without insurance. Insurance—including Medicare—often reduces those overall expenses. The exact costs of your cataract surgeries will depend on your insurance.
Is it better to be nearsighted or farsighted after cataract surgery?
If your daily lifestyle includes activities such as driving or watching TV, then farsightedness after surgery might be a great fit. You'll have clear distance vision for the things you do most, and close-up tasks can be easily tackled with a well-chosen pair of reading glasses.
Which is not covered by Medicare Part B?
Medicare Part B does not pay for some services that fall under the coverage of other parts. Examples include inpatient hospital services, which Part A funds, and most prescription medications, which Part D funds. Medicare regularly evaluates which services Part B will cover.
How much does Medicare Part B pay for surgery?
Medicare Part B will usually pay 80 percent of your eligible bills, leaving you to pay the remaining 20 percent, according to the Medicare website. If you have Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap), this policy may also cover some expenses related to your surgery.
How do you get covered for cataract surgery?
Fortunately, cataract surgery is covered by OHIP, as it's considered medically necessary to improve quality of life and prevent significant vision loss. OHIP also covers treatments for: Glaucoma. Diabetes.
At what stage does Medicare cover cataract surgery?
Original Medicare
If the cataract surgery takes place in an outpatient facility, Medicare Part B will help cover the costs. If the surgery requires hospitalization, Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) may pay some of the costs.
Do you get a free pair of glasses after cataract surgery?
How To Get Free Glasses After Cataract Surgery. If the patient has Medicare, Medicare Advantage plan (Medicare Part C), or Medicaid services coverage, they might be able to receive new glasses for free after surgery. Medicare Part B coverage handles the cost of glasses in many Medicare insurance plans.
What part of cataract surgery is not covered by Medicare?
What Type of Lens Does Medicare Cover For Cataract Surgery? Medicare covers a basic monofocal lens implant without the management of astigmatism or presbyopia. That means toric lens implants, or monofocal implants with corneal astigmatism treatment, are not covered.
Are premium cataract lenses worth it?
You can reduce your dependence on glasses and contacts
For many people, this reason alone is what convinces them that a premium IOL is the way to go. If you've worn glasses or contact lenses your entire life, choosing a premium IOL during cataract surgery can finally grant you visual freedom!
What is the recovery time for cataract surgery?
You may be prescribed eye drops or other medicines to prevent infection, reduce swelling and control eye pressure. Sometimes, these medicines can be injected into the eye at the time of surgery. After a couple of days, most of the discomfort should disappear. Often, complete healing happens within eight weeks.
How long do you have to sleep upright after cataract surgery?
Cataract surgery should not affect how you sleep, aside from wearing the protective eye shield to avoid rubbing the eye. Rubbing your eye or even water splashing in your eye can aggravate the chances of infection. You may also want to avoid sleeping on the side of the operated eye for the first 24 hours.
What are the 3 in 1 eye drops for cataract surgery?
YOUR ONE DROP SOLUTION
We created CatarActive3® to simplify the post-cataract surgery regimen for you. CatarActive3® is a patented compound that combines three drops into one easy-to-use solution that allows you to feel confident to complete your regimen.
Do people ever regret having cataract surgery?
Dr. Basti said it's not uncommon for patients to be unhappy after what is otherwise a successful cataract surgery. He said that about a quarter of patients who experience this dissatisfaction will not actually spell it out for the surgeon, but if you probe, you'll get to why they are unhappy.