Insurance doesn't cover LASIK surgery, but you can get discounts. That depends on your insurance provider. Unfortunately, some health insurance plans consider LASIK and laser vision correction procedures to be elective, meaning that they are not medically necessary. For this reason, health insurance companies can limit or deny LASIK coverage and generally offer benefits to cover some of the expenses related to glasses and contact lenses.
It's worth reading the fine print before you trust your traditional health plan. However, if you have a vision plan, that may be of some additional help. Prospective patients are advised to clarify any benefits related to the price of LASIK with their company's benefits department before undergoing any surgery. The employee can undergo surgery at any time of the year and pay for the procedure with tax-free funds, which basically saves up to 40% of the price of the LASIK procedure, depending on their tax bracket.
So how much does insurance cover for surgery, if anything? Checking with your individual or business insurance policy will give you the most accurate answer as to whether you have any benefits that cover LASIK eye surgery. LASIK eye surgery is an elective procedure, meaning it's optional and therefore not medically necessary. It would be beneficial to talk to your Medicare and Medicaid provider beforehand to better understand LASIK surgery coverage. These insurance companies work with LASIK providers to offer a “complimentary discount” to members, which can help cover part of the cost of laser eye surgery.
Some companies and employers offer FSAs (flexible spending agreements) or HSAs (health savings accounts) so that employees can save tax-free money that they can then use for any qualified procedure, including LASIK eye surgery. Find out what to consider when choosing an alternative procedure to LASIK for your eye surgery needs. Many people believe that an insurance provider could cover the cost of LASIK eye surgery under certain circumstances, such as work or if you have medical conditions, such as severe allergies or severe dry eyes. So does insurance cover LASIK surgery? If you're a good candidate for LASIK surgery, consult your individual or employer benefits administrator to review your policy and determine possible coverage.
The company now offers some coverage for LASIK and other vision correction procedures, which can help offset the full cost of LASIK. As mentioned, most insurance companies classify LASIK as an elective procedure and consider contact lenses and eyeglasses to be acceptable alternatives to surgery. If you have questions about how to include LASIK surgery in your budget, talking to your financial advisor and LASIK provider are key steps in developing a plan.
