Does Health Insurance Cover LASIK?
No. LASIK eye surgery is considered an elective procedure and is not covered by standard
health insurance plans, including ACA marketplace plans and most employer group plans. Laser
vision correction (LASIK, PRK, LASEK) is classified as elective because it corrects refractive
errors that can be treated with glasses or contact lenses, not a medically necessary condition
that must be surgically addressed.
Vision insurance similarly does not cover LASIK in most cases — vision insurance
covers routine eye exams and an allowance for glasses or contacts, not surgical vision
correction.
Using HSA Funds for LASIK
The good news: LASIK is a qualified medical expense for HSA (Health Savings Account) and
FSA (Flexible Spending Account) purposes. This means you can pay for LASIK with pre-tax
dollars if you have HSA or FSA funds available:
- HSA: Withdraw tax-free for LASIK at any time. HSA balances roll over
indefinitely, so you can save up over multiple years if needed.
- FSA: FSA funds are generally use-it-or-lose-it at year end (with a
grace period or $640 carryover depending on your plan). You must have enough funds set
aside in the same plan year.
Using HSA or FSA funds effectively gives you a 22–37% discount on LASIK depending
on your marginal tax rate, since the funds were contributed pre-tax.
What Does LASIK Cost?
LASIK costs vary by technology and provider. Traditional LASIK averages $2,000–$3,000
per eye. Custom or bladeless LASIK (using a femtosecond laser for the flap) runs $3,000–$4,000
per eye at many premium centers. Total two-eye costs often range from $4,000 to $8,000.
Some providers offer financing or all-inclusive price packages including enhancement guarantees.
Medical Necessity Exception
In rare cases, vision correction surgery may be covered as medically necessary — for
example, post-cataract lens implant correction, or correction of extreme anisometropia that
cannot be treated with glasses. These are exceptions that require physician documentation and
pre-authorization; standard LASIK for garden-variety nearsightedness, farsightedness, or
astigmatism is not covered.