Does Insurance Cover Lasik? Understanding the Costs and Coverage

Lasik surgery can be a game-changer for people with vision problems, but it can also be a significant expense. Most people are curious about whether their insurance will cover the costs.

In the United States, insurance coverage for Lasik varies widely depending on the provider and the type of policy. Some employers offer vision plans that include Lasik coverage, but these plans are relatively rare.

A common misconception is that Medicare covers Lasik, but this is not the case. Medicare does not cover elective procedures like Lasik, which is considered a cosmetic surgery.

Insurance coverage for LASIK surgery can be a bit of a puzzle. Insurance does not usually cover LASIK eye surgery, as it's typically considered an elective procedure. Most health insurance companies won't cover it, but some vision insurance carriers and plans may offer discounts on LASIK.

If you're a VSP member, you might be in luck - VSP offers a Laser VisionCare Program that can help with the cost of LASIK. You can log in or register at vsp.com to learn more and find out if you qualify for laser vision benefits.

Tricare, the health care program for military service members and their families, doesn't cover LASIK surgery unless it's deemed medically necessary by a Tricare-approved physician. It's essential to contact a Tricare agent to get a clear understanding of what your coverage includes.

Insurance coverage can be unpredictable, so it's crucial to do your research before committing to a LASIK center or surgeon. Many vision insurance providers have a list of recommended eye doctors that meet a certain threshold of credibility and trustworthiness.

The cost of LASIK eye surgery can be a significant out-of-pocket expense, with the average cost per eye being $2,133 in 2020.

Most vision correction centers offer financing plans to help make LASIK more affordable. CareCredit is a popular option, offering financing for medical expenses not commonly covered by insurance, with minimum monthly payments required.

Using a credit card to cover the cost of LASIK is also an option, especially if you earn reward points or airline miles. Some people even use unexpected funds, such as a bonus or tax refund, to pay for the procedure.

Unfortunately, many medical insurance plans don't include laser vision correction as a covered benefit, but some may offer a discount on the procedure.

VSP offers a range of vision insurance plans for a low monthly cost, including special offers that can unlock $800 to $1,000 or more in savings on LASIK with select providers.

EyeMed provides individual vision plans and offers expanded access to the U.S. Laser Network, which can offer up to $1,000 off a LASIK procedure via one of approximately 600 providers of LASIK eye surgery.

United Health Care (UHC) also offers vision insurance plans and deep discounts on LASIK eye surgery when using a provider in their network.

Here are some examples of vision insurance carriers and their LASIK benefits:

To determine your coverage for LASIK eye surgery, you will need to check with your insurance provider regarding your specific plan.

If you have a specific condition, such as dry eye syndrome or keratoconus, your insurance coverage may be affected.

Some common conditions that may impact LASIK coverage include cataracts, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration.

Insurance companies often have a list of pre-existing conditions that are not covered under LASIK insurance policies.

Insurance typically does not cover LASIK eye surgery, as it's usually considered an elective procedure.

Most health insurance companies won't cover it, but some vision insurance carriers and plans may offer discounts on LASIK.

LASIK is performed to correct refractive errors, such as myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism, but it's not considered medically necessary.

In the case of an injury or trauma to the eye, LASIK can be deemed necessary, so policies may cover it.

You'll need to check with your insurance provider to determine your coverage for LASIK eye surgery.

Medicare and Medicaid play a crucial role in LASIK coverage, but it's essential to understand the specifics.

LASIK is not typically covered by Medicare or Medicaid as it's considered an elective procedure. However, there are some cases where coverage may be possible.

To qualify for coverage, refractive errors must be deemed severe by a licensed professional. This is a critical factor in determining eligibility.

Refractive errors caused by an injury or previous surgical procedure may also be covered. This is an important consideration for those who have undergone previous eye surgery.

A physical limitation that prevents the patient from wearing glasses or contact lenses is another potential reason for coverage. This can be a game-changer for those who have struggled with vision correction.

It's worth noting that Medicaid is funded and regulated by the state, so coverage and details can vary depending on where you live. Be sure to check the Medicaid website for your state or reach out to a local representative for more information.

If you've had previous vision surgery and are experiencing complications, you may be eligible for coverage. This is a possibility worth exploring.

Insurance companies generally don't differentiate between refractive surgery coverage for those with or without astigmatism.

If LASIK is not included as a benefit in your plan, it won't be covered regardless of whether or not you have astigmatism.

Conversely, if you have a plan that covers LASIK, they won't exclude you from coverage if you have astigmatism.

Your astigmatism must fall into certain parameters to make you a candidate for LASIK.

Insurance plans rarely cover laser vision correction, but some may offer a discount or a benefit amount for refractive surgery.

You'll need to speak with your insurance carrier and find out what's considered "medically necessary" to qualify for coverage.

Many insurance providers have specific criteria for what constitutes medically necessary LASIK, so it's essential to know what yours are.

Visiting an eye doctor within your insurance network can make the process smoother, as they're often familiar with the requirements.

If you're unable to claim LASIK as medically necessary, you can still use your flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) to help with expenses.

LASIK qualifies as a covered procedure for FSAs and HSAs, so you can use these tax-exempt accounts to cushion the cost of surgery.

Some high-level executives at large companies may receive a benefit that covers the entire cost of LASIK, but this is rare.

Cataract surgery, on the other hand, is often covered by insurance, especially if it's having a substantial impact on your vision.