Cataract Surgery in Denver: Lens Options, Medicare Coverage and Choosing a Surgeon

Where cataract surgery happens in the Denver metro

Your route to a cataract surgeon often depends on your situation: veteran status, membership in an integrated health plan, or where your regular eye doctor refers you. Here's what we verified for each major institution.

Veterans: Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center

The Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center in Aurora lists ophthalmology care for cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetic eye disease, including both medical and surgical care. VA Eastern Colorado also runs a low-vision outpatient clinic. The AMA's FREIDA directory lists the University of Colorado ophthalmology residency as affiliated with this center.

Academic center: UCHealth Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center

The University of Colorado's Department of Ophthalmology is based at the Eye Center on the Anschutz Medical Campus, 1675 Aurora Court, Aurora, CO 80045 (720-848-2020). The department describes it as one of the largest eye centers in the US. UCHealth also lists Eye Center sites in Boulder (5495 Arapahoe Ave, Suite 101) and at a location listed as Colorado Center. The department's clinical services page lists its specialty clinics, including a clinic for adults with special needs.

Safety net: Denver Health Eye Clinic

The Denver Health Eye Clinic is on the main campus at 777 Bannock St, Denver, CO 80204. It accepts ophthalmology referrals from community providers through a secure web app called EpicCare Link, and new patients can book online or by phone at 303-436-4949. A third-party listing on Apple Maps shows hours of Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM, appointments only, with wheelchair access. Confirm before you go.

Kaiser Permanente Colorado members

Kaiser's Ophthalmology Department is at 2045 N Franklin St, Ste 200, Denver, and eye care is also offered at the East Denver Medical Offices, 10400 E Alameda Ave. Members should start inside Kaiser and ask how cataract evaluations are scheduled. For retina care, a Kaiser specialist's profile notes that a referral from another eye care provider is usually required.

Private practices and surgery centers

If you're comparing private practices or surgery centers, the same checks apply: verify the license and board certification, and get every cost in writing.

Lens choices and Medicare: what to settle in writing

Practices may present more than one replacement lens option, sometimes labeled standard and premium, at different prices. We haven't yet verified how Medicare or other plans treat each option, so get answers from both the practice and your plan before you schedule.

1. Which lens options do you offer, and which do you suggest for my eyes, and why?
2. For each option, what will my plan pay and what will I pay myself?
3. Does the estimate include the surgeon, the facility, anesthesia, the lens and follow-up visits?
4. Will both eyes be treated, and if so, is each eye scheduled and billed separately?
5. With each lens option, will I still need glasses for reading or distance?
6. Can I have the cost estimate in writing?

Paying out of pocket: HSA, FSA and taxes

IRS Publication 502 counts what you pay “for eye surgery to treat defective vision” as a medical expense (2022 edition). Whether a specific out-of-pocket charge, such as an upgraded lens, qualifies is a question for your plan administrator or a tax professional.

• HSA withdrawals for qualified medical expenses aren't taxed, and expenses from before you set up the HSA don't count (IRS Publication 969).
• The health FSA salary-reduction limit is $3,400 for 2026, with a maximum carryover of $680 (IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32, reported by Mercer).
• Deducting medical expenses requires itemizing, and only expenses above 7.5% of adjusted gross income count (GoodRx, citing 2024 IRS rules).

Cataracts and laser vision correction

If you have a cataract and are also wondering about LASIK, the AAO lists cataract among conditions that may rule out LASIK or need treatment first, and it lists a cataract affecting vision among reasons someone may not be a PRK candidate. The AAO also says LASIK can't correct presbyopia. Raise both topics at the same visit, and mention any past eye surgery.

Preparing for surgery day

Clinical preparation, such as which medications to pause or which drops to use, must come from your own surgeon, so we don't publish general instructions. The practical details are worth settling in advance:

• Ask whether you'll need someone to drive you home.
• Ask how long to plan to be at the facility.
• Confirm the date of your first follow-up visit.
• Get the number to call after hours.
• Ask about accessibility if you use a wheelchair or walker.
• Write your questions down and bring a family member or friend to help remember the answers.

Checking the cataract surgeon

1. Verify the licenseSearch DPO Online Services with Verify a Colorado License. It shows whether the license is active and current and any suspensions or disciplinary actions.
2. Check board certificationThe American Board of Ophthalmology's free physician search shows certification status and history. The ABO also confirms certification by phone at no charge, according to the National Eye Institute.
3. Read Board Eligible correctlyIt means the ophthalmologist is not yet certified. The ABO allows the status for up to seven years after residency.
4. Ask about experienceAsk how many cataract procedures the surgeon performs and who handles your follow-up.

The full walkthrough, with links to DPO Online Services and the ABO physician search, is in our verification guide.