Surgery
Cataract surgery with lens implant (routine) cost in California
Cataract surgery with lens implant (routine) is an imaging test. Cash prices for imaging vary widely: hospitals often charge several times what an independent imaging center charges for the same scan.
Typical cash price
In California
From 79 hospital and 3 clinic prices in California.
Nationwide typical: $4,450 (most listed prices $2,311–$9,483).
Usually included: anesthesia + the scan itself (technical fee) + the radiologist's read (professional fee).
Good to know: Per eye. Complex cataract (66982) and combined iStent (66989/66991) are not equivalent.
Cheapest in California
Total price
Cataract surgery with lens implant (routine)
Anesthesia + the facility fee + the doctor's fee
How totals are compared
Every total covers the same bundle: anesthesia + the facility fee + the doctor's fee. Where a hospital does not publish a part, the typical published amount is added and the total is marked estimated.
In California, from 81 providers. Most listed prices: $1,800–$10,007.
Cheapest totals nearby
- University of Michigan Health-Sparrow St. Lawrence$1,229HospitalEstimated: adds a typical amount for unpublished parts
- Watsonville Community Hospital$1,567Hospital · WatsonvilleEstimated: adds a typical amount for unpublished parts
- San Joaquin Community Hospital$1,689Hospital · BakersfieldEstimated: adds a typical amount for unpublished parts
- Integrity EyeStandard cataract surgery with a standard lens — surgeon fee · Cataract surgery (standard lens)Doctor fee only$650
Cash surgeon fee only; facility and anesthesia charges are billed separately. The surgeon fee includes planning, surgery, and postoperative follow-up.
Source: integrity-eye.com · checked Oct 2026 - $937
Doctor fees are billed separately.
Source: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center price file · checked Oct 2026 - $1,148
Doctor fees are billed separately. Location not independently confirmed.
Source: Huntington Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - $1,203Source: University of Michigan Health-Sparrow St. Lawrence price fil · checked Oct 2026
- $1,252
Doctor fees are billed separately.
Source: Adventist Health Mendocino Coast price file · checked Oct 2026 - $1,385
Doctor fees are billed separately.
Source: Contra Costa Regional Medical Center price file · checked Oct 2026 - $184est. $1,567 total
Doctor fees are billed separately.
Source: Watsonville Community Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - $285est. $1,689 total
Doctor fees are billed separately.
Source: San Joaquin Community Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - $350est. $1,733 total
Doctor fees are billed separately.
Source: Torrance Memorial Medical Center price file · checked Oct 2026 - $322est. $1,733 total
Doctor fees are billed separately.
Source: Sonora Community Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - $360est. $1,778 total
Doctor fees are billed separately.
Source: Adventist Health Tulare price file · checked Oct 2026 - $360est. $1,778 total
Doctor fees are billed separately.
Source: Hanford Community Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026
See all prices for Cataract surgery with lens implant (routine)
Common questions
Is the radiologist's read included?
Not always. Hospitals usually list the scan (technical fee) and the radiologist's read (professional fee) separately. Many imaging centers quote one all-in price. Look for the "All-in", "Scan only" or "Read only" label on each price.
Do I need a referral?
Most imaging tests need an order from a doctor, nurse practitioner or physician assistant. Some imaging centers can arrange one; ask when you call.
Why are prices so different?
Each hospital and clinic sets its own cash price. Hospitals publish prices because federal rules require it; clinics and booking sites set prices to compete. The same service can cost several times more at one place than at another nearby.
Can I pay cash if I have insurance?
Yes. You can choose to self-pay. A cash price is often lower than what you would pay before meeting your deductible. Cash payments may not count toward your deductible, so check with your plan. Our cash vs. insurance tool can help you decide.
What is a Good Faith Estimate?
If you are uninsured or paying cash, providers must give you a Good Faith Estimate of the cost on request. If your final bill is $400 or more above the estimate, you can dispute it.