Removal of outer layer of cornea
Medicare pricing data for 1,594 providers across 46 states
Prices vary significantly by location — from $28 in Montana to $90 in New Jersey. Where you get this procedure matters more than almost any other factor. This is a specialized procedure with relatively few Medicare claims. Pricing data may be less reliable due to smaller sample sizes. Note: These costs reflect the Medicare physician/supplier component. Hospital facility fees are billed separately and can be 2-5x the physician fee.
💡 What You Should Know
Removal of outer layer of cornea (HCPCS code 65435) is a medical procedure billed to Medicare. The average Medicare-allowed cost is $74.30, but hospitals typically charge $206.80 — a 2.8x markup. Prices vary significantly by state and provider.
🏷️ Typical Out-of-Pocket Cost
Medicare patients typically pay about 20% of the allowed amount as coinsurance. Based on the average allowed cost of $74.30, your out-of-pocket cost would be approximately $14.86. Actual costs depend on your specific plan, deductible, and whether you've met your annual out-of-pocket maximum.
What Hospitals Charge vs. What Medicare Pays
Hospitals charge 2.8x more than what Medicare allows for this procedure. Medicare actually pays $56.06 on average.
Cost by State
Medicare-allowed amounts vary significantly by state
| State | Allowed Cost | Hospital Charge | Providers | Services | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $90 | $222 | 49 | 97 | +21.2% |
| California | $88 | $250 | 140 | 421 | +18.4% |
| New York | $87 | $302 | 77 | 162 | +17.4% |
| Massachusetts | $87 | $397 | 39 | 143 | +17.4% |
| Connecticut | $87 | $214 | 17 | 43 | +16.9% |
| Utah | $84 | $251 | 13 | 22 | +12.5% |
| Washington | $83 | $203 | 25 | 45 | +11.6% |
| South Dakota | $82 | $150 | 6 | 13 | +10.5% |
| Illinois | $82 | $225 | 70 | 196 | +10.4% |
| Colorado | $82 | $331 | 24 | 67 | +9.8% |
| Maryland | $81 | $228 | 26 | 54 | +9.6% |
| Texas | $81 | $240 | 120 | 354 | +9.2% |
| Nevada | $80 | $223 | 9 | 23 | +8.3% |
| Delaware | $80 | $113 | 11 | 23 | +8.1% |
| Iowa | $80 | $176 | 26 | 65 | +7.8% |
| North Dakota | $79 | $210 | 10 | 20 | +5.8% |
| Maine | $79 | $165 | 5 | 16 | +5.7% |
| Oregon | $78 | $192 | 23 | 28 | +5.5% |
| Minnesota | $78 | $232 | 25 | 41 | +5.3% |
| Virginia | $78 | $243 | 54 | 241 | +4.6% |
| Nebraska | $77 | $195 | 14 | 28 | +4.1% |
| New Hampshire | $77 | $148 | 13 | 16 | +3.5% |
| North Carolina | $77 | $156 | 43 | 101 | +3.2% |
| Pennsylvania | $76 | $198 | 78 | 251 | +2.5% |
| Missouri | $76 | $149 | 32 | 131 | +1.9% |
| Georgia | $75 | $205 | 38 | 89 | +1.6% |
| Indiana | $75 | $156 | 30 | 45 | +1.4% |
| Rhode Island | $75 | $215 | 7 | 14 | +1.1% |
| Wisconsin | $75 | $409 | 39 | 102 | +0.8% |
| Alabama | $75 | $142 | 18 | 44 | +0.3% |
| Hawaii | $75 | $191 | 10 | 26 | +0.3% |
| Kentucky | $74 | $145 | 26 | 60 | +0.2% |
| South Carolina | $74 | $214 | 34 | 111 | +0.0% |
| Kansas | $74 | $214 | 25 | 76 | -0.3% |
| Mississippi | $74 | $196 | 22 | 40 | -0.4% |
| Louisiana | $74 | $225 | 22 | 47 | -0.5% |
| Ohio | $73 | $276 | 57 | 172 | -1.2% |
| Idaho | $73 | $141 | 11 | 28 | -1.8% |
| Arizona | $72 | $145 | 26 | 72 | -2.6% |
| Oklahoma | $72 | $198 | 20 | 45 | -3.3% |
| Michigan | $70 | $207 | 51 | 105 | -5.8% |
| Arkansas | $69 | $140 | 11 | 22 | -7.3% |
| Tennessee | $68 | $204 | 43 | 120 | -8.4% |
| Florida | $68 | $173 | 123 | 2,791 | -9.1% |
| New Mexico | $59 | $148 | 9 | 31 | -20.7% |
| Montana | $28 | $100 | 3 | 43 | -62.6% |
⚠️ Important: These costs reflect the Medicare physician/supplier component. Hospital facility fees may be billed separately. Total out-of-pocket costs may be higher.
💊 Need post-procedure medications? Check costs on OpenPrescriber