Does insurance cover LASIK eye surgery? Many people considering options to correct their vision naturally consider LASIK. But does insurance cover LASIK eye surgery? Some vision insurance policies offer benefits that can help cover the cost of laser eye surgery, but sometimes only for specific situations. It is important to carefully study your insurance policies to determine the type of laser vision correction coverage you have.
Does Insurance Cover LASIK?
Does insurance cover LASIK eye surgery? The answer depends entirely on your insurance plan. LASIK eye surgery is elective surgery, meaning it is optional and not medically necessary. However, it is possible to have some coverage depending on your insurance company.
Health insurance companies generally cover contact lenses and eyeglasses, but there are eye insurance plans to help cover eye care. Some vision plans include benefits that may cover some of the cost of laser vision correction.
Does insurance cover LASIK for astigmatism?
Unfortunately, getting facial insurance that covers LASIK for astigmatism is difficult. As mentioned, most insurance companies classify LASIK as an elective procedure and consider contact lenses and eyeglasses as acceptable alternatives to surgery.
How Does LASIK Insurance Cover?
Many people believe that an insurance company can cover the cost of LASIK eye surgery under certain circumstances, such as occupational or medical conditions such as severe allergies or severe dry eyes. But you must remember that LASIK surgery is a choice and so coverage is rare as it is not considered medically necessary.
Does Illinois Medicaid Cover LASIK Eye Surgery?
Given Illinois’ state and federal aid for surgery, the question arises: Does Medicaid Cover LASIK? Does Medicare Cover LASIK Surgery? The answer is often no. It also does not cover elective eye surgery unless it can be declared medically necessary. Because the surgery is elective, it is difficult to determine the need. If tested, you’ll want to find a practice that accepts Medicare or Medicaid. It would be helpful to talk to your Medicare and Medicaid provider beforehand to better understand which LASIK surgery would be covered.
Other Ways to Pay for LASIK.
Many U.S. employees have an FSA, HSA, or HRA to cover medical expenses with tax-exempt accounts. The cost of laser eye surgery qualifies for all of these bills. Also, some people can deduct the cost of major medical expenses. Check with your tax advisor if you qualify. If you know you want LASIK but are concerned about the initial cost, consider your contributions during your employer’s open enrollment window and consider building your savings so that you can pay for the procedure next year.
Ways to Save on LASIK Surgery
Below are some options for controlling the cost of LASIK.
Financing Plans
To help their patients pay their share of the costs, many surgical offices offer financing options for eligible patients. Funding plans are essentially payment plans with affordable interest rates. Patients will often choose to use their interest-free or low-interest credit cards, which offer air travel miles or other rewards.
FSA or HSA
Some companies and employers offer FSAs (Flexible Spending Arrangements) or HSAs (Health Savings Accounts) so that employees can set aside tax-free money that they can then use for any qualified procedure, including LASIK eye surgery. Contact your benefits manager to determine your company’s policies regarding the use of FSAs and HSAs for LASIK.
Bonuses
Vouchers are another way to cover the cost of LASIK if you choose to prioritize vision correction. Bonuses can take the form of tax refunds, a new job signing bonus, a current job bonus, financial windfalls, or even cash gifts. The recent stimulus measures handed out during the COVID-19 pandemic are a prime example of a financial windfall.
Check-in with the HR manager
There is usually someone in your workplace, an HR manager or office manager, who is responsible for the company’s profits. Your hiring manager can answer your questions about your vision plan, including the most pressing, “Does insurance cover LASIK?” This person can also discuss other benefits with you to help cover costs, such as FSAs and HSAs.
Does Insurance Cover LASIK – Conclusion:
When considering LASIK eye surgery, it is essential to consult an ophthalmologist who specializes in vision correction. A comprehensive exam that measures vision function and assesses eye health will help assess the medical need for the procedure. So is LASIK surgery covered by insurance? If you are a good candidate, contact your benefits administrator to review your policies and determine potential coverage.
