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

What does a cataract surgery cost in Hawaii?

You could pay $560 or $574 for the same cataract surgery in Hawaii — depending entirely on which facility you choose. The median cash price across 2 reporting hospitals is $566. This data comes directly from hospital price transparency files published under federal law.

There's a gap between the sticker and the real price here: a median cash quote of $566 sits above the $361 insurers negotiate — about 1.6× higher, so asking for the cash or insurer-negotiated rate is often the single biggest lever on your bill. Across 2 Hawaii hospitals that publish prices, a cataract surgery runs from as little as $494 (Kahuku Medical Center in Kahuku) to $8,829 (Hawaii Pacific Health) — a 17.9× spread for the same procedure. Half of Hawaii facilities price it at or below $566, with most clustered between $558 and $574.

Insurance covers cataract surgery — but the premium lens it won't cover can add $1,500–$3,000 per eye.

The free toolkit shows you:

  • ✓ 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

Free for patients — takes 30 seconds to get.

We'll email it to you immediately. No account required, no spam.

Forecast your out-of-pocket cost

How prices are distributed across Hawaii hospitals:
  • Lower-cost hospitals (bottom 25%): under $558
  • Median hospital: $566
  • Higher-cost hospitals (top 30%): $574+
Example — two commercially insured patients in the same area:
  • Patient A (higher-rate plan or out-of-network): ~$574
  • Patient B (lower-rate in-network plan): ~$560
Same procedure. Same week. $14 difference.

Where cataract surgery costs vary in Hawaii

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.

Hospital (below avg) Hospital (above avg) Click a pin for details.

Estimate YOUR exact out-of-pocket cost →

Cheapest Cataract Surgery Providers in Hawaii

Based on declared cash/self-pay prices from CMS hospital price transparency files.

# Facility City Price vs Median
1 Kahuku Medical Center Kahuku, HI $584 +$18

Prices are declared self-pay rates. Contact each facility for a formal quote before scheduling.

The facility you choose matters more than almost anything else — the same procedure, same quality, same state can cost 5× more at one hospital versus the one down the road.

Compare all procedure costs   → Cataract Surgery costs nationwide

Check YOUR hospital's pricing → Estimate YOUR exact cost →

Worth knowing: Declared gross charges vary significantly across Hawaii hospitals — the same procedure can look very different on a hospital's price list versus what you actually owe. Cash and negotiated prices are a more practical guide.
Every hospital in this dataset offers a cash price — with a median of $566. If your deductible hasn't been met, always ask for the self-pay rate before scheduling.

What you'll actually pay — example scenarios

Your situation Estimated out-of-pocket
Deductible not yet met (pay in full) ~$566
Deductible met — 20% coinsurance ~$113
Out-of-network provider $1,245+

Based on the state median facility price of $566. Your actual cost depends on your plan deductible, coinsurance rate, and network tier. Get YOUR personalized estimate →

What this means for you

If you haven't met your deductible, you are effectively a cash-pay patient.

That means:

  • You should verify your hospital is in-network before an elective visit when possible
  • The cheapest facility can save you $17+ vs. the median.

This is the single biggest lever most patients have to reduce their cost.

Lower-cost options in Hawaii start around $558 or below. Most hospitals cluster between $558 and $575. A smaller group reports prices above that — often academic medical centers or high-cost markets.

How where you go changes what you pay for cataract surgery

The same cataract surgery bundles different services depending on the setting — facility fee, surgeon fee, and anesthesia each arrive as separate bills. Estimated ranges below reflect the typical full bundled cost, including all expected charges.

Hospital Outpatient
$1,352–$3,516
  • Facility fee $549–$584
  • Professional fee $803–$2,932

Estimated from CMS fee schedules + commercial rate multipliers

Quick decision guide:
  • Best value hospitals (lowest prices): Hawaii Pacific Health: $549; Kahuku Medical Center: $584
  • Most expensive (outpatient): Kahuku Medical Center: ~$584; Hawaii Pacific Health: ~$549

→ Choosing the right facility can save $17+ vs. the state median.

Hawaii Cataract Surgery prices by facility

All prices below come from hospital chargemasters — the official price lists each hospital must publish under federal law. Gross charge is the undiscounted list price; cash price is the self-pay rate; negotiated range covers the spread across insurance contracts.

How we calculate "Your Price" — We prioritize the most actionable price in this order:
  1. Cash price — the self-pay rate you can actually negotiate and pay
  2. Negotiated rate — if reported by the hospital across insurance contracts
  3. Gross charge — fallback only; this is the inflated list price few people pay

This reflects the real prices patients encounter — not inflated chargemaster rates.

# Facility City Your Price vs Median Gross Charge
#1 Hawaii Pacific Health HI $549 -$17 $915–$8,829
#2 Kahuku Medical Center Kahuku, HI $584 +$18 $494–$4,474

Source: CMS hospital price transparency machine-readable files. vs Median = savings or premium relative to the state median price. Gross Charge = undiscounted list price for reference.

Received a bill? Check it for errors → Estimate YOUR cost before you go →

Compare other procedures in Hawaii:

Where you can save the most on cataract surgery in Hawaii

These facilities have the lowest declared prices relative to the state median — they represent the best opportunities to reduce your out-of-pocket cost for this procedure.

Facility City Your Price vs Median
Hawaii Pacific Health HI $549 -$17
Kahuku Medical Center Kahuku, HI $584 +$18

How to choose a lower-cost facility

  • Choose independent outpatient centers when possible — freestanding ASCs (ambulatory surgical centers) consistently charge less than hospital outpatient departments for identical procedures.
  • Ask for the cash price if your deductible isn't met — self-pay rates are often lower than what insurance pays before your deductible is satisfied, especially at facilities that have a high cash-price discount.
  • Avoid hospital outpatient departments for routine cases — hospital-owned locations add a facility fee that freestanding centers don't charge, often adding $500–$1,500 to the same procedure.
Important: Many procedures are done at ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) that are often 30–60% cheaper than hospital outpatient departments with the same clinical quality. Most ASCs are not in this hospital dataset — meaning your cheapest option may not even appear here. Ask your doctor if the procedure can be done at a freestanding ASC.

Most expensive cataract surgery providers in Hawaii

These facilities report the highest prices for this procedure. Academic medical centers and specialty hospitals often top this list — their gross charges rarely reflect what anyone actually pays, but understanding the spread helps you negotiate.

Facility City Price vs Median
Kahuku Medical Center Kahuku, HI $584 +$18
Hawaii Pacific Health HI $549 -$17

Why prices vary this much

Of the Hawaii facilities reporting prices, 1 fall in a low-cost tier (up to $558) while 1 sit in a high-cost tier ($575 and up) — a lower-priced option almost always exists within the same state.

The spread comes from how each hospital sets its chargemaster (the undiscounted list price), what cash discounts it applies, and what rates it negotiates with each insurer. Facility classification matters too — a hospital-owned outpatient center adds a facility fee that a freestanding clinic does not. Understanding these mechanics is the first step to paying less.

Learn more:
Allowed amount vs negotiated rate — what your EOB is really saying
How to read your medical bill
Why hospital prices are so hard to find — and what to do about it

How insurance changes what you actually pay

Hospital list prices are only part of the picture. What you pay out of pocket depends on your deductible, your plan's out-of-pocket maximum, whether the facility is in-network, and whether your plan classifies the visit as outpatient or inpatient. A lower gross charge doesn't guarantee a lower bill if the facility is out-of-network or adds facility fees your plan doesn't cover.

Understand your cost before you go:
Deductible vs out-of-pocket max
EOB vs medical bill — complete guide
How to stop medical bill problems before they start (in-network vs out-of-network)

Compare cataract surgery costs in nearby states

Frequently asked questions: cataract surgery costs in Hawaii

How much does a cataract surgery cost in Hawaii?

Across 2 Hawaii hospitals that publish prices, a cataract surgery ranges from $494 to $8,829, with a median of $566. Most facilities fall between $558 and $574. 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 Hawaii?

Based on declared prices, the lowest-cost facility in our Hawaii data is Hawaii Pacific Health at about $549. 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 Hawaii hospitals?

Prices vary up to 17.9× because each hospital sets its own list price, cash discount, and insurer-negotiated rates. In Hawaii, the median cash (self-pay) price is $566 versus a median negotiated rate of $361 — about 1.6× 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 Hawaii?

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.

Explore all cataract surgery cost data

See cataract surgery costs across all states

Other Hawaii Hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers for Cataract Surgery

These hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers are registered in the CMS National Provider Identifier (NPI) registry as active hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers in Hawaii. Cost estimates use the bundled service model for each place of service. Contact them directly for a formal quote.

Provider City Type Est. Cost
ACPAYUMO MD LLC
8089839648
HONOLULU, HI General Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
ALI'I HEALTH CENTER
8083317960
KAILUA KONA, HI Ambulatory Surgical Center
ALOHA EYE CLINIC SURGICAL CENTER LLC
8088773984
WAILUKU, HI Ambulatory Surgical Center
ALOHA SURGICAL CENTER LLC
8088930578
KAHULUI, HI Ambulatory Surgical Center
ANDREW MAEDA MD LLC
8085311116
HONOLULU, HI General Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
ASIA PACIFIC SURGERY, LLC
8085858855
HONOLULU, HI Ambulatory Surgical Center
BLUDOC PEDIATRICS, INC.
8087228792
MILILANI, HI Children's Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
CASTLE AMBULATORY SURGERY CENTER, LLC
8082186850
KAILUA, HI Ambulatory Surgical Center
CASTLE MEDICAL CENTER
8083635176
KAILUA, HI General Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
COMMUNITY CLINIC OF MAUI, INC.
8082449056
WAILUKU, HI General Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
DAVIS R KING MD INC.
8088746877
KAHULUI, HI Ambulatory Surgical Center
GAMMA KNIFE CENTER OF THE PACIFIC INC
8085351579
HONOLULU, HI Ambulatory Surgical Center
▼ Show 93 more Hawaii hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers
GRACE LIU, MD, LLC
8085474682
HONOLULU, HI General Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
HAWAII ENDOSCOPY CENTER LLC
8085315823
HONOLULU, HI Ambulatory Surgical Center
HAWAII HEALTHCARE SYSTEM CORPORATION
8082449056
WAILUKU, HI General Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
HAWAII MEDICAL CENTER EAST
8085476000
HONOLULU, HI General Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
HAWAII MEDICAL CENTER EAST
8085476011
HONOLULU, HI General Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
HAWAII MEDICAL CENTER WEST
8086787100
EWA BEACH, HI General Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
HAWAII MEDICAL CENTER, LLC
8085476762
HONOLULU, HI General Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
HAWAII VISION SURGICAL SUITES LLC
8083333233
HILO, HI Ambulatory Surgical Center
HAWAIIAN EYE CENTER INC
8086218448
WAHIAWA, HI Ambulatory Surgical Center
HILO BENIOFF MEDICAL CENTER
8089746709
HILO, HI General Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
HILO BENIOFF MEDICAL CENTER
8089323000
HILO, HI General Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
HONOKAA HOSPITAL & SKILLED NURSING
8087757211
HONOKAA, HI Critical Access Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
HONOLULU PLASTIC SURGERY LLC
8087926262
HONOLULU, HI Ambulatory Surgical Center
HONOLULU SPINE CENTER, LLC
8082372970
HONOLULU, HI Ambulatory Surgical Center
HONOLULU SURGERY CENTER LP
8085282511
HONOLULU, HI Ambulatory Surgical Center
HONOLULU VAMC
7023413020
HONOLULU, HI General Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
JODI OLDFATHER, CRNA LLC
8089699669
HILO, HI Ambulatory Surgical Center
JON F GRAHAM MD LLC
8085504939
HONOLULU, HI Ambulatory Surgical Center
KAHUKU MEDICAL CENTER
8082939221
KAHUKU, HI Critical Access Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
KAISER FOUNDATION HEALTH PLAN
8084325738
HONOLULU, HI Ambulatory Surgical Center
KAISER FOUNDATION HEALTH PLAN, INC.
8082436000
WAILUKU, HI Ambulatory Surgical Center
KAISER FOUNDATION HOSPITALS
8084320000
HONOLULU, HI General Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
KAISER PERMANANTE
8084320000
HONOLULU, HI General Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
KAISER PERMANENTE
8084327785
HONOLULU, HI General Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
KAPIOLANI MEDICAL CENTER
8082226188
PEARL CITY, HI Children's Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
KAPIOLANI MEDICAL CENTER FOR WOMEN & CHILDREN
8089836000
HONOLULU, HI Women's Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
KAPIOLANI MEDICAL CENTER FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN
8089838219
HONOLULU, HI Children's Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
KAU HOSPITAL
8089282050
PAHALA, HI Critical Access Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
KAUAI VETERANS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
8083389431
WAIMEA, HI Critical Access Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
KOHALA HOSPITAL
8088896211
KAPAAU, HI Critical Access Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
KONA AMBULATORY SURGERY CENTER LLC
8083298311
KAILUA KONA, HI Ambulatory Surgical Center
KONA HOSPITAL
8083229311
KEALAKEKUA, HI General Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
KUAKINI MEDICAL CENTER
8085362236
HONOLULU, HI General Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
KULA HOSPITAL
8088764301
KULA, HI Long Term Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
KULA HOSPITAL
8088781221
KULA, HI Rural Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
KULA HOSPITAL
8088781221
KULA, HI Critical Access Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
LANAI COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
8085656411
LANAI, HI Critical Access Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
LEAHI HOSPITAL
8087337932
HONOLULU, HI General Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
MAGLINAO MEDICAL MANAGEMENT LLC
8085362236
HONOLULU, HI General Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
MALAMA FIRST HEALTHCARE, INC.
8083750465
WAIMANALO, HI Rural Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
MAUI HEALTH SYSTEM A KAISER FOUNDATION HOSPITALS LLC
8085456411
LANA'I CITY, HI Critical Access Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
MAUI HEALTH SYSTEM A KAISER FOUNDATION HOSPITALS LLC
8082449056
WAILUKU, HI General Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
MAUI MEMORIAL MEDICAL CENTER
8082433030
WAILUKU, HI General Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
MAUI MEMORIAL MEDICAL CENTER
8082422457
WAILUKU, HI General Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
MAUI MEMORIAL MEDICAL CENTER
8084425700
WAILUKU, HI General Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
MAUI MEMORIAL MEDICAL CENTER
8082704236
WAILUKU, HI General Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
MILILANI GASTRO, LLC
8087224028
MILILANI, HI Ambulatory Surgical Center
MIS ENDOSCOPY, LLC
8089492208
HONOLULU, HI Ambulatory Surgical Center
MOLOKAI GENERAL HOSPITAL
8085535331
KAUNAKAKAI, HI Critical Access Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
NORTH HAWAII COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
8088814406
KAMUELA, HI General Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
NORTH HAWAII COMMUNITY HOSPITAL, INC
8088814406
KAMUELA, HI General Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
NORTH HAWAII COMMUNITY HOSPITAL, INC.
8088854400
KAMUELA, HI General Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
OHANA ENDOSCOPY CLINIC, LLC
8084684600
KAPOLEI, HI Ambulatory Surgical Center
PACIFIC ASC LLC
8089492208
HONOLULU, HI Ambulatory Surgical Center
PACIFIC ENDOSCOPY CENTER LLC
8083126700
HONOLULU, HI Ambulatory Surgical Center
PACIFIC ENDOSCOPY CENTER LLC
8089693979
HILO, HI Ambulatory Surgical Center
PACIFIC ENDOSCOPY CENTER LLC
8085315828
HONOLULU, HI Ambulatory Surgical Center
PACIFIC ENDOSCOPY CENTER, LLC
8084566420
PEARL CITY, HI Ambulatory Surgical Center
PALI MOMI MEDICAL CENTER
8084866000
AIEA, HI General Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
PLASTIC SURGERY CTR OF THE PAC INC
8085211999
HONOLULU, HI Ambulatory Surgical Center
PUNAHELE ASSOCIATES, LLC
8089699669
HILO, HI Ambulatory Surgical Center
QUEENS MEDICAL CENTER
8082240629
PEARL CITY, HI General Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
QUEENS NORTH HAWAII COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
8088814400
KAMUELA, HI General Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
REJUVENATE HAWAII
8089699669
HILO, HI Ambulatory Surgical Center
ROBERT WONG, MD, L.L.C.
8084860449
AIEA, HI General Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
RYAN RAO, LLC
8085242575
HONOLULU, HI General Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
SAMUEL MAHELONA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
8083389431
KAPAA, HI Critical Access Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
SATOMI FUJII MD LLC
5592866043
HONOLULU, HI General Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
SHRINERS HOSPITALS FOR CHILDREN
8089414466
HONOLULU, HI Children's Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
SPECIALTY SURGICAL SUITES, LLC
8085362261
HONOLULU, HI Ambulatory Surgical Center
ST. FRANCIS HOSPITAL - EWA
8085478001
EWA BEACH, HI General Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
ST. FRANCIS HOSPITAL - LILIHA
8085478001
HONOLULU, HI General Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
ST. FRANCIS LILIHA LIVER CENTER
8085478001
HONOLULU, HI General Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
ST. FRANCIS MEDICAL CENTER
8085476000
HONOLULU, HI General Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
ST. FRANCIS MEDICAL CENTER - WEST
8086787000
EWA BEACH, HI General Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
STATE OF HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
8089842154
WAILUKU, HI General Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
STATE OF HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
8082413130
KAPAA, HI General Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
STATE OF HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
8083224818
KEALAKEKUA, HI General Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
STATE OF HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
8089330409
HILO, HI General Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
STRAUB CLINIC & HOSPITAL
8085224000
HONOLULU, HI General Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
SURGERY CENTER OF THE PACIFIC, LLC
8089472020
HONOLULU, HI Ambulatory Surgical Center
SURGICAL SPECIALTIES, LLC
8085997779
HONOLULU, HI Ambulatory Surgical Center
THE ENDOSCOPY CENTER, LLC
8089693973
HILO, HI Ambulatory Surgical Center
THE QUEEN'S MEDICAL CENTER
8086913000
EWA BEACH, HI General Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
THE QUEEN'S MEDICAL CENTER
8085389011
HONOLULU, HI General Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
THE QUEEN'S MEDICAL CENTER
8085389011
HONOLULU, HI General Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
THE QUEEN'S MEDICAL CENTER
8085474311
HONOLULU, HI General Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
THE QUEENS MEDICAL CENTER
8086916800
WAHIAWA, HI General Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
THE QUEENS MEDICAL CENTER
8086916800
WAHIAWA, HI General Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
THE SURGICAL SUITES LLC
8085310127
HONOLULU, HI Ambulatory Surgical Center
WAHIAWA GENERAL HOSPITAL
8086218411
WAHIAWA, HI General Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
YD SAITO MD LLC
8087563710
HONOLULU, HI General Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.
YOSHIMURA MEDICAL LLC
8085224000
HONOLULU, HI General Acute Care Hospital $1,352–$3,516 bundled est.

Est. cost = bundled estimate (facility fee + professional fee + anesthesia where applicable) based on CMS fee schedules and commercial rate multipliers. Contact each provider for an actual quote.

Source: CMS NPPES NPI Registry. NPI numbers can be verified at npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov.

Where You Get a Cataract Surgery Matters

Hospital outpatient departments typically charge 2–4× more than ASCs or independent centers for the same procedure — same outcome, very different bill.

Ambulatory Surgery Center

Ambulatory Surgery Center typically carries a mid-range price for a cataract surgery. Typically 40–60% less than hospital OP for surgical procedures. Anesthesia billed separately. You can shop here — call ahead and ask for a self-pay or cash quote.

Hospital Outpatient Department

Hospital Outpatient Department typically carries a higher price for a cataract surgery. Facility fee billed separately from professional fee. Provider-based billing adds facility overhead. You can shop here — call ahead and ask for a self-pay or cash quote.

What's Actually on Your Cataract Surgery Bill

A cataract surgery involves multiple providers — each bills separately. Understanding each line item helps you verify your Explanation of Benefits and catch billing errors.

Asc

  • Facility Fee — ASC facility fee — usually lower than hospital outpatient.
  • Surgeon Professional Fee
  • Anesthesia — Often monitored anesthesia care (MAC) or topical; billed separately by the anesthesia provider.
  • Intraocular Lens — Standard monofocal IOL covered. Premium IOL = separate non-covered upgrade.

Hospital Outpatient

  • Facility Fee — Hospital outpatient facility fee — typically higher than an ASC.
  • Surgeon Professional Fee
  • Anesthesia
  • Intraocular Lens

Cataract Surgery Cost by Type

Which type your doctor orders changes the billing code — and what you pay. Here's how the common types differ.

Standard Cataract Surgery

A recognized variation that can change the billing code and what you owe. CPT 66984 — phacoemulsification with monofocal IOL.

Complex Cataract Surgery

A recognized variation that can change the billing code and what you owe. CPT 66982 — complex cases (small pupil, dense cataract, prior trauma).

Premium-Lens Cataract Surgery

A recognized variation that can change the billing code and what you owe. Toric or multifocal IOL — the lens upgrade is a non-covered out-of-pocket charge.

This Procedure Is Shoppable — Choosing the Right Facility Can Save Thousands

Cataract Surgery is elective and schedulable. You have time to compare facilities — and hospital outpatient prices often run 2–4× higher than ASC, Hospital OP for identical clinical outcomes.

How to shop: Ask your doctor for the CPT code, then call 2–3 facilities and request an out-of-pocket cost estimate. Confirm your insurance is accepted. If uninsured, ask for the cash-pay rate — it's usually 20–50% below the list price.

Prior Authorization Is Usually Required

Most commercial and Medicare Advantage plans require pre-approval for cataract surgery before scheduling. If your doctor submits the order without prior authorization — or if the authorization lapses — your insurer can deny the entire claim, leaving you responsible for the full cost.

Action step: Call the member services number on your insurance card before scheduling. Ask: "Does this procedure require prior authorization?" Get the authorization number in writing and confirm it's attached to the claim before your appointment.

Who performs this: Cataract Surgery is typically performed by a Ophthalmology. The specialist's professional fee is billed separately from the facility charge — you will likely receive separate bills from each.


CostKits compiles hospital price transparency data to help families make informed decisions. If you've received a bill for this procedure:
Analyze your medical bill for errors
How to negotiate your medical bills
Track and manage your healthcare costs (free account)

Insurance covers cataract surgery — but the premium lens it won't cover can add $1,500–$3,000 per eye.

The free toolkit shows you:

  • ✓ 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

Free for patients — takes 30 seconds to get.

We'll email it to you immediately. No account required, no spam.

Other Procedure Costs in Hawaii

Interested in understanding healthcare costs and managing your medical expenses?

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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Published June 7, 2026 · Updated June 7, 2026

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