How to Get Insurance to Pay for LASIK

In the healthcare industry, you, like everyone else, understand how expensive even the smallest of procedures or visits can be. Well, your eyes are no exception. Regular checkups, glasses, contacts and any procedure or surgery needed all cost a lot of money.

While vision insurance is often the last type of health insurance thought of, it can truly be a lifesaver when it comes time to pay the bills. When it comes to procedures, Lasik is one of the most commonly performed and with that comes the questions like, “how much is Lasik?” and “how to get insurance to pay for Lasik?”

Don’t worry, you are not alone because the truth is, Lasik is expensive if you have to pay for it out of pocket. We’re here to explain the potential avenues that might help you get your Lasik surgery covered by your vision insurance.

We’re going to be honest upfront, most insurance companies do not cover Lasik surgery due to the fact that they are often elective or cosmetic surgery. This means that Lasik surgery is not deemed by the insurance companies to be a necessity.

However, this does not mean that you are completely out of luck because there are some options and circumstances that you may be able to have your Lasik surgery cost covered or at least reduced with the help of insurance.

Often times, Lasik companies work with large employers to offer special discounts to their employees, which can be a great health benefit perk. Many of today’s large insurance companies (VSP, Davis Vision, Blue Cross Blue Shield, etc.) will often negotiate with Lasik providers to offer their members a courtesy discount to help offset the large cost of the procedure.

While these two options do not cover the entire surgery, a discount can be a big help.

The million dollar (or rather couple thousand dollars) question is: how to get insurance to pay for Lasik entirely. There are a few circumstances that might allow you the rare opportunity to have your insurance cover the bill.

Military

This is the first potential situation in which Lasik could be covered. Most special forces and some other occupations in the military require certain vision requirements without glasses, so some soldiers are offered Lasik. However, there usually is a waiting period and the surgery must be done in a military facility.

Sports, Acting or Entertaining

If you fall into one of these categories, you may be able to make a case about how the procedure is necessary to meet the demands of your job. These situations are very tough to win and require a large amount of paperwork.

Safety/Health

The last potential option for those looking to get Lasik covered requires honesty and a dire need for the procedure. Certain professions that require certain safety requirements (police officers and firefighters) might qualify for coverage.

Individuals with certain medical conditions such as- contact lens intolerance, severe dry eyes or severe allergies can make a very strong claim. Honesty is key because this route tends to be abused.

Insurance companies will look at the conditions claimed that make glasses or contacts dangerous or impossible and that the insured party has made a good-faith effort to use contacts or glasses.

Keep in mind that even with the strongest, most-compelling case, insurance companies may not view it as a necessity.

Whether you are tired of your glasses or are seeking an alternative to help with an eye condition, there is no better time than now to get Lasik. At Diamond Vision, we proudly provide the very latest procedures and technology to help our patients regain their vision freedom. Our Eye Care Center in Atlanta is just one of our centres. 

To learn more about your vision correction options and how Diamond Vision can work with your insurance company, book your free eye-check consultation today!