Cataract Surgery Cost
Cost is an important factor when deciding to have cataract surgery, but it should not discourage you from getting the care you need to restore your clear vision. In most cases, the expenses can be reimbursed by both private insurance plans and Medicare.
Cataracts occur when the naturally clear lens of the eye becomes cloudy. If you are over the age of 60, you probably have a cataract in one or both eyes. The good news about cataracts is that they are curable. Cataract surgery can improve your vision to what it was before cataracts, or even improve it.
Dr. E. Trevor Elmquist, one of America’s Top Doctors in ophthalmology, his partner, Kate Wagner, OD, and his associate, Nina Burt, OD, provide complete eye care services at Elmquist Eye Group for individuals who live and work in Cape Coral, Fort Myers, and throughout Lee County, Florida.
Dr. Elmquist is a skilled, board certified ophthalmologist who specializes in the medical and surgical treatment of the eye. He is well-known for his extensive experience and his excellent surgical skills.
Cataract Surgery Procedure
In traditional cataract surgery, the natural lens of the eye is typically replaced with a monofocal (one distance) intraocular lens to restore your clear vision. Traditional cataract surgery provides excellent results, but technological advances in both lens technology and surgical techniques now afford cataract patients more options.
To achieve the best possible outcomes for cataract patients, Dr. Elmquist now offers bladeless laser-assisted cataract surgery. The FDA-approved laser automates several steps of the procedure that previously had to be performed manually, and improves the precision, accuracy and safety of cataract surgery.
Costs Associated with Cataract Surgery
The main cost components of basic or traditional cataract surgery are the pre-surgery exam to discuss your cataracts, the surgeon’s fee, the cost of a conventional intraocular lens (IOL), the anesthesia fee, the outpatient facility’s fee, and the cost of one pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses after surgery, if you need them.
These costs are typically covered by both Original Medicare and private health insurance plans, although most patients can expect to pay some out-of-pocket expenses for deductibles and copayments.
Depending on your pre-surgery examination and the visual results you hope to achieve from cataract surgery, Dr. Elmquist may recommend a tailored treatment plan that may reduce your need for glasses or contact lenses after surgery. In other words, he may recommend that you consider “upgrading” to an advanced technology lens, or “premium” IOL lens, that will correct presbyopia or astigmatism and allow you to see clearly at all distances.
These advanced lenses, as well as advanced refractive testing, topography screenings, pupil screening, OCT screenings and other screening tests you may need before surgery in order to achieve the best results, are generally not covered by Medicare or most private insurance plans. If you select an advanced technology upgrade, such as laser eye surgery, a Toric lens or a multifocal lens, you would be responsible for the additional cost.
Elmquist Eye Group accepts most insurance plans. We will explain all of your cataract surgery options to you, and will be glad to contact your insurance plan to see what coverage is available.
Although you may have some out-of-pocket expenses based on the choices you make, it’s also important to consider the cost of not having cataract surgery. Poor vision and problems with night driving are not only inconvenient, but hazardous.
Modern cataract surgery is one of the most successful surgical procedures performed in the U.S. Make an appointment with Elmquist Eye Group at (239) 936-2020 today to discuss the options and costs, and get started on restoring your clear vision.