Does Insurance Ever Cover LASIK Eye Surgery?

LASIK, or Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, is a refractive surgery that corrects vision problems like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism by reshaping the cornea with a laser. Many individuals consider LASIK to reduce or eliminate reliance on glasses or contact lenses. However, standard health insurance generally does not cover LASIK, as it is typically classified as an elective or cosmetic procedure rather than a medically necessary treatment.

Typical Health Insurance Coverage

Most health insurance policies do not cover LASIK because insurers distinguish between medically necessary procedures and elective or cosmetic ones. Medically necessary treatments are essential for maintaining health, preventing complications, or addressing life-altering conditions. LASIK is primarily a refractive surgery aimed at reducing dependence on corrective eyewear, which insurers consider adequate and less invasive.

Insurers typically view LASIK as a convenience rather than a required medical treatment for common refractive errors. Since conditions like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism can often be managed effectively with glasses or contact lenses, LASIK is categorized as an optional enhancement. This leads to its exclusion from most standard health insurance benefits, similar to how cosmetic surgeries or elective dental procedures are often not covered.

Medical Necessity Exceptions

While health insurance rarely covers LASIK, specific and uncommon circumstances may deem it medically necessary. This typically occurs when LASIK is the only suitable treatment for a severe vision impairment that cannot be adequately corrected by conventional glasses or contact lenses, or if wearing them is impossible or harmful. Such situations might include severe anisometropia (a significant difference in prescription between the eyes) or extreme astigmatism resulting from an injury or previous eye surgery.

Other potential exceptions involve cases where a patient cannot achieve functional vision with corrective lenses, or if they experience severe intolerance to contact lenses due to conditions like chronic dry eye or allergies. Even in these rare instances, securing coverage requires extensive documentation from medical professionals and usually involves a rigorous prior authorization process. Approval is not guaranteed, and the patient’s condition must meet the insurer’s strict criteria for medical necessity, often requiring evidence that non-surgical interventions have failed.

Alternative Payment Strategies

When health insurance does not cover LASIK, individuals often explore several alternative payment strategies to make the procedure more affordable. Vision insurance plans, while typically not covering the full cost of LASIK, frequently offer discounts or preferred pricing through their networks. These discounts can range from 10% to 50% off the total cost, depending on the plan and the provider.

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are popular options for paying for LASIK using pre-tax dollars. LASIK is considered a qualified medical expense by the IRS, allowing individuals to use these tax-advantaged funds.

FSAs are employer-sponsored accounts where employees contribute pre-tax income for healthcare expenses within a calendar year, typically with an annual contribution limit, such as $3,300 for 2025. HSAs are available to individuals enrolled in high-deductible health plans and offer similar tax benefits, with funds rolling over year to year and higher contribution limits, like $4,300 for individuals in 2025.

Many LASIK providers also offer payment plans and financing options directly, making the cost more manageable. These options can include interest-free financing for a set period, such as 0% interest for 12 to 24 months, or longer-term plans with varying interest rates. Medical credit cards like CareCredit are designed for healthcare expenses not covered by insurance, often providing special financing offers.