Is Lasik Eye Surgery Covered By Insurance?

Because Lasik eye surgery is elective surgery, it is not covered by most insurance programs. Even those with vision coverage will have a difficult time getting Lasik surgery approved, unless it is deemed necessary for your health. This can also mean your mental health.

There are loopholes with insurance companies. If something is required for the state of your health and is signed off on by a physician, you can usually get the procedure covered by the insurance company. You sometimes have to be assertive and fight with the company, but persistence pays off. If your Lasik surgery is saving you from blindness, for example, it should be covered.

If you are suffering from mental distress due to wearing eyeglasses, you can go to a psychiatrist and ask for a letter that recommends you get Lasik eye surgery. This is a long shot, but can work. Otherwise, if you are getting this surgery to improve your appearance and eliminate the need for glasses or contacts, you can expect to pay for it.

Lasik eye surgery is not that much money. It costs about the same as oral surgery. You can, in some cases, set up a payment plan with the doctor who will allow you to finance the operation. You can pay a certain amount each month towards the bill along with interest.

Discuss the matter with your insurance company before scheduling Lasik surgery. If your need is physical they may cover this elective surgery. This is especially true if you are getting Lasik surgery to correct a problem that can lead to blindness down the road.

When working with your insurance company, it pays to be persistent. Make sure that you submit all documentation, such as any referrals to the specialist and any other medical records that recommend that you undergo Lasik eye surgery. When a doctor recommends Lasik surgery, it is easier to get the insurance company to pay for the service. The doctor, however, should not be the one who is performing the operation.

Each insurance company works different and some will cover some elective procedures. Braces on the teeth, for example, are covered by some insurance plans and not others. Lasik surgery is very much like orthodontia work, so you should check with your insurance company before starting the procedure. In some cases, they may pay a portion of the bill.

Whatever the insurance company pays, you do not have to pay. You should also talk to the doctor and see if you can get a discount if you pay for the entire procedure up front in cash. Because there is a fee associated with using a credit card for such a procedure, many doctors will knock off a few hundred dollars from the bill if you pay cash. This way, they have their money and do not have to worry about chasing you down for it later, or paying a credit card acceptance fee.

Spring-Ford Reporter/The Valley ItemDatebook

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