Insurance and cataract coverage

PPO only

A PPO (preferred provider organization) generally lets you see a specialist without a referral. An HMO generally requires you to stay in its network and get a referral first.

We accept PPO plans only. We do not accept HMO plans or Medi-Cal. We do not accept Medi-Cal. A PPO medical plan can still apply to care such as cataract surgery when the plan covers it. For questions about a specific plan, call (310) 482-1240.

Cataract surgery coverage

What a plan pays depends on your plan, your deductible and whether it treats the service as covered. We don’t quote plan payments here; our staff can check your PPO benefits and explain what your plan reports back.

Some glaucoma treatments can be discussed alongside cataract surgery.

iStent

A very small implant that can be placed during cataract surgery to help lower eye pressure in glaucoma. Coverage depends on your plan and medical necessity.

iDose

An implant that releases glaucoma medication inside the eye. Coverage is specific to your medical plan; a benefit check tells us whether the plan expects to pay.

ABN (Medicare)

An Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage tells you before a service that Medicare may not pay for it, such as a lens upgrade, so you can decide. It is a notice, not a bill.

Lens choices are a separate conversation from insurance. See which lens is right and what to expect for cataract surgery.