LASIK surgery is elective and, therefore, typically not covered by health insurance plans; however, many employers provide flexible spending and health savings accounts (FSA/HSAs) which may help fund this procedure.
LASIK can be highly cost-effective when considering all the money saved over time by eliminating glasses and contact lens purchases. Be sure to ask about pricing and financing options from your practice.
Cost
LASIK costs depend on various factors, including your surgeon’s experience and internal pricing policy. When selecting a surgeon to use cutting-edge technologies for optimal results, make sure they offer savings programs or payment plans, as they will help ease into your budget.
Surgeon fees are the single-most crucial element of LASIK costs, though their precise amount will depend on your specific needs. Some surgeons offer discounted LASIK procedures at $499 for particular populations with low prescription and no astigmatism; these discounts only apply in specific circumstances, and you would unlikely qualify for one yourself.
Other factors affecting LASIK costs are laser type and facility fees. Surgeons use various lasers to reshape corneas, which may alter the outcome. Experienced surgeons usually charge more due to their excellent expertise.
Some LASIK procedures involve postoperative care, so the final price must include this aspect. Some centers may only have 30-90 days of follow-up care, while others provide it over one or two years. Furthermore, it should be noted that specific centers offer post-op enhancements designed to fine-tune your vision post-surgery.
Your insurance may also offer discounts for LASIK procedures, making this an attractive option if your employer provides open enrollment periods or active healthcare accounts. Discounts from insurer-affiliated LASIK centers should also be available; financing companies often offer affordable monthly costs similar to mortgage or car payments and with zero down or low-interest rate offers from reputable surgery centers and doctors.
Insurance
LASIK can be an expensive procedure that dramatically improves one’s vision for life yet is rarely covered by insurance plans. There are various methods of paying for it, though; most commonly using funds from an FSA or HSA, as this provides a great way to save on healthcare expenses and cover the cost of LASIK surgery.
Paying for LASIK surgery through loans or financing companies is another method available at many LASIK centers, and many can help patients select an affordable plan suited to their unique financial needs. Many financial companies can provide plans with variable down payments, interest rates, and monthly installments–some even offer no-interest programs for up to two years.
People may also be eligible for discounted LASIK surgery through their health or vision insurance provider if the company agrees with a surgeon and can offer reduced rates. These discounts are known as in-network discounts.
However, it should be remembered that the cost of LASIK may vary significantly based on several variables, mainly when doctors with high demand due to reputation are being used or where their practice is located.
The price for LASIK surgery also varies based on its extent and what kind of refractive error is being treated. For instance, astigmatism that requires more correction will cost more due to larger laser treatment areas that must be covered for correction. Therefore, patients must take their time shopping around for the surgeon who offers the best value for money – checking both with his practice and their insurance provider to compare prices and coverage options before making their choice.
Financing
Many patients are concerned about the cost of LASIK. Financing plans can make the procedure more affordable, providing flexibility if payments must be spread out over time. Many reputable LASIK centers provide no-interest financing plans for up to 24 months; others may offer extended options.
As you compare the prices of different LASIK providers, be sure to factor in all fees and services included in their packages. Some providers may advertise low costs, but this could be misleading; low costs could reflect hidden fees, inexperienced surgeons, or less effective technology used for surgery. Other factors affecting price include the type of surgery performed (bladeless uses femtosecond laser) and follow-up care costs; for instance, femtosecond LASIK can cost significantly more.
Remember that LASIK is typically not covered by insurance since it is considered elective surgery. Yet, it could save money over time by eliminating glasses or contacts and becoming tax deductible through your flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), or health reimbursement account (HRA).
Before your LASIK procedure, discussing financing options with your provider is a good idea. They should provide details regarding types and interest rates available – some LASIK surgeons even offer financing that may be more affordable than third-party lenders.
Many people choose to finance the cost of their LASIK with credit cards to take advantage of rewards or cash-back offers, while others use an HSA or FSA account instead. If this is your choice, be sure to assess your contributions during the open enrollment period so you can increase them to afford the procedure more easily; additionally, check with your insurance provider to determine whether this expense qualifies under their policy as well as personal loans through financial institutions like SoFi.
Preparation
Before going under the knife for LASIK surgery, you must understand its risks and benefits. Take time with your eye doctor to discuss this important information with you. You must sign an informed consent form before the procedure; read it thoroughly before signing it! Additionally, when meeting with your eye doctor during your consultation session, they should give you a list of questions they want you to pose to them as part of this conversation; keep a list handy to address them when answering them later!
Before your LASIK surgery, contact lenses must be avoided as they can alter your prescription and delay recovery from LASIK surgery. When taking this measure, please follow your physician’s advice or as indicated in your patient handbook.
LASIK is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure performed using laser technology, generally considered safe for most individuals but potentially risky if certain medical conditions or your eye health is poor. Your surgeon will use a laser to alter the curvature of your cornea – correcting your vision while potentially eliminating or reducing dependence on glasses or contacts.
Once the procedure has concluded, you can go home and resume normal activities. Arrange for someone to drive you, as the sedative prescribed during LASIK can impair your ability to drive safely. Bring any medications required to treat post-LASIK discomfort, such as pain relief.
If LASIK isn’t right for you, your eye doctor will suggest an alternative vision correction procedure such as PRK or SMILE. These techniques can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, among other refractive errors.
Although most patients achieve 20/20 vision or better after LASIK surgery, individual results may vary. If you have abnormal corneal anatomy or a history of keratoconus, however, LASIK should not be performed.