Cataracts – a less than ideal part of getting older. More than half of Americans over 80 years old either have cataracts or have had corrective surgery to fix them. Left untreated, cataracts can interrupt your daily life, and in some cases, even lead to blindness. But the good news is that, for the most part, cataract surgery is painless, simple and safe.

While that sounds great on the surface, it’s hard not to wonder about cost. Will Medicare pay for cataract surgery? The short answer is, yes. Original Medicare doesn’t often cover routine vision services, but cataracts are covered if the procedure is considered medically necessary.

Let’s take a moment to talk through what parts of Medicare will cover cataract surgery, what types of procedures are covered and what that means for your overall out-of-pocket costs.

Parts of Medicare that cover cataract surgery

Different parts of Medicare offer coverage for cataract surgery, but it all depends on what kind of plan you have. Typically, cataract surgery is done on an outpatient basis, which is where Original Medicare (Part B) or Medicare Advantage (Part C) come in to play. Here’s what you need to know.

Medicare Part B coverage of cataract surgery

For those with Original Medicare, and whose cataract surgery has been deemed a medical necessity by a doctor, Part B will cover procedure costs – but you’ll still have some out-of-pocket costs. You can expect Medicare to cover around 80% of your overall surgery costs after you meet your deductible. This means that the remaining 20% would be your responsibility.

Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) coverage of cataract surgery

Medicare Advantage plans, offered by private companies, work as an alternative to Original Medicare.

Out-of-pocket costs with a Medicare Advantage plan depend on what kind of coverage you have. It’s also important to note that with a Medicare Advantage plan, finding an eye doctor in your network will help keep costs low.

Medicare Cost plans are another type of private Medicare plan that can help pay for cataract surgery. Just like with Medicare Advantage plans, the coinsurance rate for cataract surgery with a Cost plan will vary.

Specific areas of cataract surgery that are covered by Medicare

The great news is that coverage isn’t just limited to your actual procedure. It includes almost all aspects of care surrounding your cataract surgery. Medicare will cover a portion of your initial eye exam, any additional exams you need pre-surgery, medicines, facility and provider services, up to a year of follow-up care and more.

Does Medicare cover glasses after cataract surgery?

While Medicare Part B doesn’t typically cover glasses or contacts, cataract surgery is an exception. If after your procedure you need additional corrective measures, Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage will cover the cost of one set of Medicare-approved glasses or contacts.

Some Medicare Advantage plans also offer enrollees a prepaid benefit card or an eyewear allowance that you can use on additional pairs of glasses or contact lenses. Depending on what vision benefits your Medicare Advantage plan offers, you may also have coverage on eye exams and checkups moving forward.

What type of lenses does Medicare cover for cataract surgery?

Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans cover a standard intraocular lens (IOL), which is a small, artificial disc made of silicone or acrylic. An IOL replaces a natural lens that’s been clouded by a cataract and can be implanted using basic surgical techniques or lasers. There are many types of IOLs with different focusing capabilities that address a range of eye conditions. However, not all are covered by Medicare.

Monofocal lenses

This is the most common choice for people undergoing cataract surgery. A monofocal lens provides a single, fixed point of focus. You can choose if you’d like your focus near, moderately distanced or for long-distance vision. People often choose long-distance vision and use reading glasses for up-close tasks. Medicare Part B will typically cover monofocal lenses at 80% after you meet your deductible.

Types of cataract lenses Medicare does not cover

While monofocal lenses are the most used IOL, there are other options available for people with more robust needs. Some lenses address astigmatism, age-related degeneration and nearsightedness. However, many of these more advanced or premium lenses aren’t covered by Medicare.

Multifocal lenses

Unlike monofocal lenses, multifocal lenses offer all three focusing distances in one. You don’t have to choose between near, moderately distanced or long-distance vision. However, this choice isn’t without its drawbacks. Multifocal lenses can make it harder to see in low light conditions, and some people have experienced bright halos around light sources, which can be disorienting. Also, because it’s a more advanced lens, Medicare does not cover it.

Toric lenses

Toric lenses are specifically designed for people with astigmatism. When you have an astigmatism, an uneven curve to your cornea or lens can cause refractions, making light sources blurry, especially in low light. Using a toric lens for cataract surgery will fix the cloudiness of a cataract and astigmatism – and you can decide if you’d like your lens to be monofocal or multifocal. Because they’re considered a premium lens option, toric lenses aren’t typically covered by Medicare.

Does Medicare cover YAG laser capsulotomy?

YAG laser capsulotomy is an outpatient procedure that some people will require months or even years after cataract surgery. If your vision gets cloudy again (which is sometimes referred to as a “secondary cataract”), this follow-up surgery can help restore it.

If considered a medical necessity by your doctor, Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage or Cost plan will both help cover the costs of YAG laser capsulotomy – this includes any necessary exams, medicines and a year of follow-up care.

The cost of cataract surgery with Medicare

The average estimated cost of cataract surgery, without insurance, fluctuates – one eye is likely to cost anywhere between $3,000 to $7,000. This is a pretty significant cost range, because some have the procedure done in non-hospital surgical centers and some in hospital outpatient departments.

According to Medicare.gov, for an average extracapsular removal in 2025 (after Medicare has contributed), you can expect to pay around $384 for surgery done in an ambulatory surgical center or $598 for surgery done at a hospital outpatient department. However, it’s important to remember that these are estimates – additional fees may apply, and the total cost can change over time. Make sure to touch base with your Medicare plan representative if you have any questions so you can have a good idea of what you’ll have to pay.