Cataract Surgery Cost in Alaska (2026): Average Prices & What You'll Pay

What does a cataract surgery cost in Alaska?

You could pay $934 or $2,058 for the same cataract surgery in Alaska - depending entirely on which facility you choose. The median cash price across 10 reporting hospitals is $1,394. This data comes directly from hospital price transparency files published under federal law.

Where cataract surgery costs vary in Alaska

Pins show hospitals with price-transparency data (colored by vs. state average) and nearby ambulatory surgery centers, imaging centers, and other facilities (colored by type). Click any pin for facility name and estimated cost range.

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Alaska's hospital market is dominated by single-facility communities with no competitive pressure - Providence Alaska Medical Center and Alaska Regional Hospital in Anchorage are the primary exceptions. Geographic isolation and extreme logistics costs push operating expenses well above the lower-48 average, making Alaska one of the highest-price states in the country on a per-service basis. Medicare covers cataract surgery at a defined allowed amount wage-adjusted for your location - the main cost variable isn't geography but lens type. Standard monofocal lenses are fully covered; premium multifocal or toric lenses add $1,500–$3,000 per eye out-of-pocket regardless of insurance. Ambulatory surgery centers consistently charge less than hospital outpatient departments for the identical procedure.

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Why prices vary - and what it means for your coverage

A small number of hospitals (1) report prices above $4,118, including PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center at $4,917, which drives most of the overall spread - excluding them, most facilities cluster in a much tighter band. Setting matters too: the median outpatient price is $1,394 versus $507 inpatient, so where a procedure happens often matters more than which hospital you pick. Setting drives most of the spread here: an ambulatory surgical center (ASC) is usually meaningfully cheaper than a hospital operating room for the same procedure, when your case qualifies.

None of the prices above are what you'll necessarily owe: your deductible, out-of-pocket maximum, and each provider's network status all still apply.

Frequently asked questions: cataract surgery costs in Alaska

How much does a cataract surgery cost in Alaska?

Across 10 Alaska hospitals that publish prices, a cataract surgery ranges from $649 to $10,185, with a median of $1,394. Most facilities fall between $875 and $2,058. What you pay depends on the facility, your insurance, and whether you have met your deductible.

Where is the cheapest place to get a cataract surgery in Alaska?

Based on declared prices, the lowest-cost facility in our Alaska data is Providence Health And Services - Washington in Kodiak at about $506. By metro, Anchorage has the lowest median ($1,981). Freestanding ambulatory surgery and imaging centers are often cheaper still and may not appear in hospital price data - ask your doctor whether one is an option.

Why is a cataract surgery so much cheaper at some Alaska hospitals?

Prices vary up to 15.7× because each hospital sets its own list price, cash discount, and insurer-negotiated rates. In Alaska, the median cash (self-pay) price is $1,394 versus a median negotiated rate of $1,445 - about 1× higher. Asking for the cash price or your insurer's negotiated rate is often the single biggest lever on what you pay.

How much will I actually pay out of pocket for a cataract surgery in Alaska?

Your out-of-pocket cost depends on your deductible, coinsurance, out-of-pocket maximum, and whether the facility is in-network - not just the sticker price. If you have not met your deductible, you will typically pay the negotiated rate in full until you do. Use the CostKits cost forecaster to estimate your specific out-of-pocket amount before you go.

CostKits compiles hospital price transparency data to help families make informed decisions. Track and manage your healthcare costs (free account).