Has anyone had cataract surgery, and is on medicare with a supplemental? If so,

[shraby]

what was your out of pocket expenses?
I'm wondering what I'm in for as I'm seeing a doc tomorrow and fully expect to need the surgery.

[tularetom]

1. Yep, me

6 years ago, both eyes, on medicare with Anthem Blue Cross supplemental and it didn't cost me a cent.

Only drawback is you'll probably need reading glasses. But you don't need prescription lenses, you can pick up a pair of cheaters at the drugstore for ten bucks or so.

Good luck.

[shraby]

2. Thanks! Sounds like you came out the winner.

[yeoman6987]

10. I love how they do that now

Such a great idea.

[No Vested Interest]

3. I have Medicare and a very good supplemental policy.

Had 2 separate cataract surgeries in July 2015.
Was billed about $25.00 for each surgery and ca $5 from the anesthetist.

One very important matter: prescriptions for eye-drops.
I was given 3 different eye-drop prescriptions. The Pharmacist told me they would cost about $600.I would have paid, if necessary, but decided to call the opthalmalogist's office before picking them up, because sometimes a person finds that they don't really need them, but filled prescriptions are not returnable.
So the person in the Doctor's office said "Don't get those prescriptions filled"; she would phone in others, which turned out to be generics. Bottom line, I only had to pay $4 each for the 3 eye-drop prescriptions.

Distance (driving) and medium distance (TV) are now done without glasses. Lower power glasses for reading & computer work.

Good luck.

[SheilaT]

5. I can't recall my exact cost for those eye drops, but it was trivial.q

I'm sure it depends a lot on your coverage.

[SheilaT]

4. I had cataract surgery

before I was on Medicare.

I'd known for a decade or more that the cataracts were there, and when my eye doctor said, "It's time for the surgery" my first thought was to postpone it for the two years until I'd be on Medicare. Then I spoke with a friend of mine, 80 years old at the time, who said, "Don't delay Sheila, get it done right away!"

She was right. I did pay out of pocket, and I wish I could give you the amount. I know I paid more because I opted for an implant that was more than the basic one. I still need reading glasses, no problem there. I apparently had results even better than what my doctor expected, based on how he's responded at my check-ups after the surgery. I can tell you that my distance vision is phenomenal.

Last year I was visiting my son who lives in Portland, OR, and we were on a hill somewhat south and west of the city, watching airplanes land at the airport. We were probably seven miles from the airport, and I was in total awe of how well I could see those airplanes. I know that I really did have better results from the cataract surgery than most people might expect, but it is more than worth it. I'll encourage you to spend more money, if necessary, to get a better lens than what Medicare will pay for. Your doctor will give you good advice on this.

I can now understand why in the past people just expected to lose their vision as they got older. I've been nearsighted my entire life, but fortunately grew up in the 20th century, where glasses, and then contact lenses were available to me. The vision deterioration that occurred with the cataracts was rather subtle, and in a different century or milieu I'd have just accepted what was happening. It's hard to know how blind I'd be at this point, were it not for the surgery.

I was 63 when I had the cataract surgery, slightly on the young side. Every single office visit I made leading up to the surgery I was by at least a decade, the youngest person in the office. For the older people, they could remember all too well what a huge big deal cataract surgery had been for their parents, and so they'd put it off. I tell people to get it as soon as the doctor says. It's the most amazing thing ever.

I can see! I wake up in the morning and I can see the clock across the room. I can read the titles of the books on my bookshelf near the bed. How amazing is that!

Oh, and I still need reading glasses, because I opted for the lens that would correct my distance vision, while still needing reading glasses. To me, that's not a problem.

[Blue_In_AK]

6. I ended up paying a fair amount

for mine, but I also had partial cornea transplants, so it was more than just simple cataracts. Even so, it was a fraction of what was charged. Amazing how much they can bill for laying on a table in "recovery" for an hour.

[napi21]

7. My hubby & I both had cataract surgery 2 years ago.

We have medicare and a United Health Care supplemental I only paid $20.00 copay, and the surgeon's office gave me samples of the eye drops. My hubby had astigmatism and the implant to fix that was $1,000 each. I paid it and didn't tell him because he didn't want to spend the $$. I'm so glad I did. Both surgeries were very successful and we only need reading glasses for closeup.

[yeoman6987]

11. Thank you for sharing

I have stigmatizm as well. Nice to know it is still sorta affordable.

[murielm99]

8. I am on Medicare.

I had the surgery. I did not have to pay anything.

I did pay a bit for the eye drops, but the amount was so small I cannot remember it. It was probably less than twenty dollars.

If you are concerned about costs, discuss all of it with the doctor. I am sure you will not be the first to do this.

BTW, I have never been happier with the results of a surgery. I don't wear glasses any more. I do need reading glasses, but that is no big deal.

Have the surgery. Check back with us and let us know the results.

[Tess49]

9. My right eye was done 6 weeks ago. My left 2 weeks ago.

My cost was about $500 per eye. The biggest cost was the $300 deductible I had to pay to the outpatient clinic. Surgeon cost was $40 total for both eyes. Drops were pricey. I had to use more kinds of drops than most people - 4 instead of the typical three. My total expenses for both eyes was right at $1000. I have a Medicare Advantage plan.

This surgery was worth every penny. My vision is now 20/25. It was around 20/200. Yes, 20/200. First time in my life that I can wake up and see the clock without groping for a pair of glasses.

I always thought my house was clean -- now, I see every smudge, every little fingerprint left by a grandchild etc. Not a bad problem to have. I love my new vision!

[No Vested Interest]

20. RE seeing more clearly - I was shocked to see age spots etc. and even

a few unwanted, stray hairs on my face, after cataract surgery.

[Tess49]

21. Age spots, and wrinkles I didn't know I had. Kind of shocking really.

[No Vested Interest]

22. Too true. nt

[s-cubed]

12. Medicare pays for first pair of glasses after surgery, but not at discount service like Costco.

Have paid nothing, and I had some complications.

[meaculpa2011]

13. My father recently had cataract surgery...

on both eyes.

He is 100% disabled and the VA provides his care for free.

After six months of consultations at Fort Hamilton (seeing different surgeons with different opinions each visit) I insisted that he see my eye doctor. That was last December. He had the procedure and his sight was restored without complication. The cost was $600. He was ecstatic about the result, but had a conniption over the cost.

He had the other eye done at the VA. He described the procedure as: "A bricklayer chopping at my eye with a hammer and chisel."

In fairness, he could have had the same complications with my doctor, however... I wouldn't have made the decision based on $600.

Also, he receives exceptional care from the VA, but they are a little behind the curve on some procedures. When he had a complicated urological problem they sent him to a nearby hospital for treatment at no cost.

There are different levels of supplemental coverage with various co-pays and deductibles. I know some who paid nothing, but they also pay much higher monthly premiums.

[Holly_Hobby]

14. My husband had both eyes done with Medicare and Supplemental this year -

He had a $200 drug deductible, so his generic eye drops were less than $20 for both eyes. He paid nothing for the surgeries or pre-surgery and post-surgery care. His Supplemental was his Primary before Medicare - a union policy that was 80/20 with a $400 deductible, and $10 co-pay for drugs.

He also had a knee replacement this year that only cost $150 in drugs.

[nruthie]

15. I did.

I had no out of pocket expenses whatsoever.

[kelliekat44]

16. No out of pocket expenses...both eyes done. Medicare/BC-BS nt

[shraby]

17. I want to thank all who put in their 3 cents. You were very helpful.

Hopefully, it also will encourage others to go for it. Sounds like you all came out on top.

[rusty fender]

19. I'm going to have cataract surgery...

and it will cost me a minimum of $6000 for both eyes. I'm mid 50s and have BCBS. I have a silver plan that has a deductible of $6000. So here is the legal scam of insurance: you pay your premiums, but you're not really fully covered. You will still have to pay plenty out-of-pocket. BCBS should pick up the $1000 or so above my deductible that the surgery will cost($3600/eye), but I'm not counting on it.