Commentary: Pricing Cataract (and Other Straightforward) Surgeries - A Policy Perspective to Build Capacity, Value and Innovation.

Abstract

Aligning with Crump and colleagues' (2024) conclusions on cataract surgery, this article champions a level playing field for expanding surgical capacities for straightforward surgeries. It is agnostic toward for-profit or not-for-profit models. It argues for experimenting with new ambulatory facilities to meet urgent needs, emphasizing Ontario's successful two-decade experience with models such as the Kensington Eye Institute. The discussion advances a three-tiered pricing framework, advocating for transparent, structured pricing to reduce wait times and improve public health outcomes. This approach seeks to balance annual commitments, quarterly adjustments and spot market needs, promoting innovation, cost-efficiency and quality care.