Cataract Surgery Cost in Washington, DC (2026): Average Prices & What You'll Pay
What does a cataract surgery cost in Washington, DC?
Where you have a cataract surgery done in Washington, DC swings the bill from $560 to $1,373 for identical care. The median cash price across 21 reporting hospitals is $816. The numbers are pulled directly from federally mandated hospital price transparency files.
Insurance covers cataract surgery - but the premium lens it won't cover can add $1,500–$3,000 per eye.
Your personalized cost report includes:
- ✓ Why the standard lens is covered but a toric/multifocal upgrade is billed directly to you
- ✓ The four separate bills (facility, surgeon, anesthesia, lens) and which to scrutinize
- ✓ Why an ambulatory surgery center usually costs less than a hospital for the identical operation
- ✓ How anesthesia ends up out-of-network even at an in-network surgery center
- ✓ A real patient billing breakdown, line by line
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Cheapest Cataract Surgery Providers in Washington, DC
Based on declared cash/self-pay prices from CMS hospital price transparency files.
| # | Facility | City | Price | vs Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Inova Mount Vernon Hospital | Alexandria, DC | $548 | -$268 |
| 2 | Inova Alexandria Hospital | Alexandria, DC | $548 | -$268 |
| 3 | Inova Fair Oaks Hospital | DC | $548 | -$268 |
| 4 | Inova Fairfax Hospital | Falls Church, DC | $548 | -$268 |
| 5 | UM Laurel Medical Center | Laurel, DC | $560 | -$256 |
| 6 | UM Capital Region Medical Center | Largo, DC | $595 | -$221 |
| 7 | UM Charles Regional Medical Center | La Plata, DC | $634 | -$182 |
| 8 | MedStar Southern Hospital Center | Clinton, DC | $700 | -$116 |
Prices are declared self-pay rates. Contact each facility for a formal quote before scheduling.
Quick take
- Inova Mount Vernon Hospital is the lowest-cost option at $548 - $268 below the state median, just by choosing where you go.
- Ask for the cash price if your deductible isn't met - the median cash price here is $832, and it's often lower than what insurance pays before your deductible is satisfied.
- This dataset covers hospitals only - freestanding ASCs, which routinely run 30-60% cheaper for the same procedure, aren't included, so it's worth asking your doctor whether one is an option.
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 $4,730, including DOMINION HOSPITAL at $5,124, 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 $816 versus $578 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.
On top of the facility price, your actual bill depends on your deductible, your out-of-pocket maximum, and whether every provider involved - not just the facility - is in-network.
| Your situation | Estimated out-of-pocket |
|---|---|
| Deductible not yet met | ~$816 |
| Deductible met - 20% coinsurance | ~$163 |
| Out-of-network provider | $1,795+ |
Frequently asked questions: cataract surgery costs in Washington, DC
How much does a cataract surgery cost in Washington, DC?
Across 21 Washington, DC hospitals that publish prices, a cataract surgery ranges from $418 to $5,124, with a median of $816. Most facilities fall between $548 and $1,373. 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 Washington, DC?
Based on declared prices, the lowest-cost facility in our Washington, DC data is CalvertHealth Medical Center at about $418. By metro, Alexandria has the lowest median ($548). 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 Washington, DC hospitals?
Prices vary up to 12.3× because each hospital sets its own list price, cash discount, and insurer-negotiated rates. In Washington, DC, the median cash (self-pay) price is $832 versus a median negotiated rate of $624 - about 1.3× 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 Washington, DC?
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.
Before you book
- Deductible vs out-of-pocket max
- How to negotiate your medical bills
- EOB vs medical bill: complete guide
- Already have a bill? Check it for errors
- Understanding your UnitedHealthcare EOB
Other procedures in Washington, DC
Cataract Surgery, elsewhere
What matters before you schedule
ASC vs. hospital
Hospital outpatient departments typically charge 2-4x more than ASCs or independent centers for the same cataract surgery - same outcome, very different bill. Call ahead and ask for a self-pay or cash quote at each setting you're considering.
What's on your bill
A cataract surgery involves multiple providers who bill separately - typically Facility Fee, Surgeon Professional Fee, Anesthesia. Check each line item against your Explanation of Benefits to catch billing errors.
Cost by type
Which type your doctor orders for this cataract surgery changes the billing code, and what you pay. For example: A recognized variation that can change the billing code and what you owe.
What to ask before you book
Get the CPT code from your doctor, confirm every provider involved (not just the facility) is in-network, ask for the cash-pay rate if you're uninsured or haven't met your deductible, and request a written estimate for cataract surgery before you schedule.
CostKits compiles hospital price transparency data to help families make informed decisions. Track and manage your healthcare costs (free account).
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About the Author
John Caruso, FSA, MAAA
Healthcare actuary with 20+ years of experience in insurance pricing, medical billing systems, and healthcare cost analytics.
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