Costs for Cateract Surgery with monofocal vs. multifocal lens

[CB14022]

My doctor has suggested that I now have my cataract removed and a ReZoom lens inserted.  I don't understand why the cost of this is so high (an additional $3000).  Can some one explain to me why?  It is my understanding that insurance with cover cataract surgery and placement of a monofocal lens.  However, cataract surgery with placement of a multifocal lens (instead of the monofocal) is considered 'elective' and not covered.  Why can't I pay for the difference between the monofocal lens and the multifocal lens?  Is the cost to the surgeon for the ReZoom lens really $3,000 more than the cost of the monofocal lens?  Would the manufacturer be able to help explain how the insurance should cover this?  Thanks in advance for any help!

[dnd1022]

I live approx. 1 hour north of Tampa. Locally, around Crystal River, FL, the charge for a multi focal lens like Tecnis or Restor is between 2000 and 2300 per eye over and beyond what Medicare will pay.  Two hours south of me a friend had his cataract surgery and the Tecnis multi-focal lens implanted and was charged only 1550 for BOTH eyes.  I called that doctor a few minutes ago, his nurse told me he does NOT tacks on only the difference between the lens.  That may give you some idea of what we are talking about.  In Tampa, if a surgeon is using the Alcon LensX laser to do the cataract surgery, they charge from 3000 to 4000 per eye!!!!  There's no doubt the public is getting ripped in this process of "multi focal" lens. Trust me, there IS a form of price fixing, ALMOST every doctor is HIGH. They see it as a great way to make a lot of money quick because quite simply, what is your alternative?

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

Don't forget astigmatism has to be corrected or a toric IOL used.  This involves additional costs.

Dr. O.

[JodieJ]

Yes, yes, yes--see another surgeon for a second opinion.  Use the search feature of this forum (upper right corner) to read about all the problems associated with the ReZoom lens.  (I suspect that the surgeon who recommended ReZoom to you at a $3000 surcharge would NEVER agree to have this IOL implanted in his own eye.)

Your insurance will pay for your cataract surgery; you must pay the surcharge for a "premium" IOL out-of-pocket.  Implanting these "premium" IOLs can be quite profitable for the surgeon (and this is undoubtedly why ReZoom was recommended to you.)  Do more research before making a decision.  Currently, the Crystalens HD is thought to be the best of the "premium" IOLs.  However, you can probably get similar (or better) results with aspheric monofocal IOLs set for mini-monovision.  Aspheric monofocal IOLs do not require an out-of-pocket fee, and they are associated with far fewer postoperative problems.

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

The cost is NOT for insertion of the ReZoom.  It is for the extra work need to make the correct measurement to hit target and remove astigmatism.  There is also extra evaluation not covered by insurance to determine there are not subtle abnormalities which could result in poor vision.

Dr. O.

[mmmmpppp]

I think $3,000.00 is at the high end of the normal range.  There seems to be almost a consensus on MedHelp that Rezoom is the worst of the alternatives, but of course I don't know the specifics of your situation and wouldn't know what the specifics imply anyways.

I would definitely find a another good doctor and talk to him.