If wearing eyeglasses daily has become painful or bothersome, you may consider LASIK a type of vision-correcting eye surgery. LASIK helps reshape the cornea, the transparent lens that covers and protects the front section of the eye, using a specific laser.
This reshaping corrects “refractive faults,” making hazy vision crisper. Despite its benefits, the procedure’s high cost may cause some patients to reconsider. Because LASIK is considered elective surgery by most insurers, obtaining insurance coverage for the procedure might be difficult.
Fortunately, several insurance companies are launching programs to assist people in affording LASIK. You should look into an eye doctor for clarification on the costs and insurance requirements.
How Much Does LASIK Surgery Cost?
The average cost of regular LASIK Kansas City is $2,600 per eye and $4,200 for both eyes. However, several factors influence the cost, including where you reside, the type of surgery conducted, the type of laser utilized, the surgeon’s level of competence, and post-operative prescriptions such as antibiotic eye drops.
Custom LASIK is more costly than conventional LASIK because it employs more sophisticated technology. The personalized version takes into account each individual’s unique eye shape.
It then generates a more comprehensive, three-dimensional representation of the bumps and ridges causing hazy vision. Custom LASIK costs between $2,500 to $3,600 for each eye.
Some LASIK providers give financing. Low- or no-interest payment options may be available to make the large debt more reasonable. It may be tempting to utilize the suppliers with the lowest pricing but proceed cautiously. They may not quote an all-inclusive fee.
That would require you to pay additional fees for the first consultation, follow-up visits, and other services that many providers currently include in their fees.
You’d wind up paying far more than the quoted amount in such an instance. This is why you should look for a Kansas city eye clinic so you can be aware of the costs you might incur.
Does Insurance cover LASIK?
Some health insurance providers consider LASIK and laser vision correction elective operations, which means they are not medically essential.
As a result, health insurance companies can limit or refuse LASIK coverage and normally give benefits to cover part of the costs associated with glasses and contacts. Before relying on your typical health plan, check the tiny print. However, if you have a vision plan, it may be of assistance.
Vision insurance plans differ slightly from regular medical or health insurance because they are intended to assist patients with eye care, including vision correction equipment such as glasses and contacts.
Benefits may include extra services and discounts for customers interested in laser vision correction as an option, depending on the plan.
When Lasik Can Be Covered By Insurance?
There are several conditions in which LASIK surgery may be deemed medically required.
Lasik-Related Vision Issues
Another example would be if an initial LASIK procedure performed for aesthetic purposes caused a visual impairment.
If a doctor certifies that LASIK surgery is the sole option, it will be considered medically essential and covered by insurance.
Eye Injuries Caused By Trauma
Some catastrophic injuries necessitate surgery to save an eye’s vision. If this happens and LASIK is the sole choice, a doctor can declare that treatment is medically required.
How To Save Money On LASIK Surgery?
Here are a few choices to help you budget for LASIK.
FSA Or HSA For LASIK
An FSA allows you to save money for medical expenditures before taxes. If your workplace provides the option, you can open an FSA.
You can use your FSA to pay for vision correction surgery, albeit it may not cover the entire treatment. You cannot set up an FSA if you are self-employed.
You may set up an HSA, which is pre-tax savings account for medical costs. HSA funds can pay for LASIK, eye examinations, and other eye care treatments.
Financing Plans
Many surgical offices provide financing alternatives for patients who qualify to assist them in paying their portion of the cost. Financing programs are simply payment arrangements with low-interest rates.
Patients frequently prefer to utilize no or low-interest credit cards that give air travel miles or other perks.
Bonuses
If you prioritize vision repair, bonuses are another option to assist cover the expense of LASIK. Examples of bonuses include tax returns, a signing bonus for a new job, a bonus from current employment, financial windfalls, or even monetary gifts.
Vision Insurance
LASIK is classified as elective surgery, which means it is not medically essential. This implies that, unlike eyeglasses and contact lenses, most health insurance companies will not cover them.
LASIK is not covered by vision insurance. However, some vision insurance companies provide beneficial price cuts. These discounts are frequently in the form of percentage reductions and monetary allowances for the operation.
Offering such discounts is one way doctors attract patients and schedule them for examination and treatment.
Remember that vision insurance is a different term for vision benefits schemes. These are not the same as vision insurance programs. Discount plans function similarly to coupons in that they give price savings on specified vision-related services.
Contact Your Insurance Company
If your company does not have a benefits manager, take the time to contact your insurance carrier directly.
In addition to concerns concerning laser vision correction benefits and coverage, find out whether your ophthalmologist is a recommended or network provider for your plan.
With advantages and savings, insurance can assist with the cost of LASIK. Finding out what your plan covers and does not cover is crucial, but it is not as important as determining if you are a suitable candidate for laser vision correction in the first place.
Conclusion
Because most health insurance policies do not cover LASIK, the out-of-pocket payments will be substantial. However, you may be able to alleviate the financial stress when you address the right clinic.
Those seeking LASIK or other laser vision correction operations like PRK or SMILE should speak with an ophthalmologist specializing in vision correction techniques. This consultation involves a comprehensive exam to assess eye health and visual function to decide whether a laser vision correction operation is necessary.