Ophthalmologists Shift to Laser Technology as Medicare Cataract Reimbursements Drop

By Phil Galewitz · KFF Health News · 2026-08-19

According to reporting from KFF Health News, eye surgeons are increasingly offering laser-assisted cataract procedures to offset a 20% decline in Medicare payments over the last decade. While the government typically pays just $520 for standard operations, physicians are utilizin

According to reporting from KFF Health News, eye surgeons are increasingly offering laser-assisted cataract procedures to offset a 20% decline in Medicare payments over the last decade. While the government typically pays just $520 for standard operations, physicians are utilizin