How much does cataract surgery cost in California?
That's the typical price in California before insurance — most people land between $3,082 and $7,804. That's 23% above the US average of $3,888.
What you'd actually pay
| Typical employer or Silver plan | $4,776 |
| Uninsured (hospital cash price) | $5,253 |
Silver assumes a $5,304 deductible, 20% coinsurance, capped at the $10,600 out-of-pocket maximum. If you're uninsured, ask about charity care — nonprofit hospitals can't bill you list price if you qualify, and most people never ask.
Try your own plan →Why California costs what it does
California hospitals charge private insurers 312% of what Medicare pays for the same care. The national average is 254%.
#6 most expensive of 50 states
The same care costs $2,480 in Arkansas and $5,296 in Florida — a 2.1× spread for identical treatment. Where you live is one of the biggest single factors in your bill.
What Medicare pays
Medicare pays $2,668 for this. In California, private insurers pay roughly 1.8× that.
Compare nearby states
An estimate, not a bill. Built from published data: the national price from Health Care Cost Institute — HealthPrices.org, scaled by California's hospital price level from RAND. Your actual bill depends on your hospital, your plan and your diagnosis. Not medical or financial advice. How we work this out →