Question:
How much do you think eye surgery costs?
Answer:
I realize that this post is crossposted to alt.lasik-eyes for some
reason, but it isn't about LASIK.
The Crystalens may or may not eliminate the need for other correction.
The claim I was replying to was that the cost of cataract surgery was
insignificant compared to the cost of the Crystalens. I don't agree.
I have had two cataract surgeries. The first was US$1.00 and the second
was free, but that doesn't reflect the real cost.
Anyway... my understanding is that medicare does (and has) been paying
for cataract surgery and standard IOLs. This "new" thing is not
really new at all. The additional amount for the Crystalens is a
fortune. The price of the cataract surgery is peanuts compared to the
additional cost paid by the patient.
Medicare can't afford to cover this. What gets me is what insurance
companies DO wind up covering and should not be. Insurance costs WAY
too much for honest, sensible people.. but is a huge bargain to liars
and people who otherwise abuse the system.
Seniors on Medicare now can choose the presbyopia-correcting
crystalens, which focuses and moves in the eye like the natural lens
thanks to its proprietary accommodating characteristics. The
crystalens is designed to treat two conditions: cataract removal with
lens replacement (a procedure covered by Medicare) and presbyopia (a
non-covered service). Patients who select crystalens will receive the
standard Medicare reimbursement for cataract surgery, and can now pay
privately for the presbyopic portion of the treatment.
Presbyopia is an inevitable age-related eye condition that makes it
difficult to read or see objects up-close without the use of reading
glasses. Presbyopia is the first sign of a cataract and is the most
prevalent eye condition in America. It causes the crystalline lens to
increasingly stiffen, lose flexibility and cloud, diminishing its
focusing ability.
