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

What does a cataract surgery cost in Columbus, OH?

You could pay $1,624 or $2,225 for the same cataract surgery in Columbus, OH - depending entirely on which facility you choose. The median cash price across 12 reporting hospitals is $2,225. This data comes directly from hospital price transparency files published under federal law.

Where cataract surgery costs vary in Columbus, OH

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.

26+ people checked prices near them this month.

Ohio has one of the most concentrated hospital markets in the Midwest. Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals compete in Northeast Ohio (one of the few Ohio markets with genuine competition); OhioHealth and Nationwide Children's dominate Columbus; Kettering Health and Premier Health compete in Dayton. Prices across Ohio's urban markets tend to run near the Midwest median. 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

Facility classification matters as much as the hospital itself - a hospital-owned outpatient center adds a facility fee that a freestanding clinic does not. 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.

What you pay out of pocket on top of this depends on your deductible, your plan's out-of-pocket maximum, and whether every provider involved is in-network - not just the facility.

Frequently asked questions: cataract surgery costs in Columbus, OH

How much does a cataract surgery cost in Columbus, OH?

Across 12 Columbus, OH hospitals that publish prices, a cataract surgery ranges from $675 to $2,273, with a median of $2,225. Most facilities fall between $1,339 and $2,225. 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 Columbus, OH?

Based on declared prices, the lowest-cost facility in our Columbus, OH data is Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus at about $675. By metro, Columbus has the lowest median ($1,740). 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 Columbus, OH hospitals?

Prices vary up to 3.4× because each hospital sets its own list price, cash discount, and insurer-negotiated rates. In Columbus, OH, the median cash (self-pay) price is $2,225 versus a median negotiated rate of $2,225 - 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 Columbus, OH?

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).