LASIK eye surgery may be an option for people who cannot see well without glasses or contact lenses. The Refractive Surgery Council (RSC) estimates that since LASIK surgery was approved by the FDA 20 years ago, more than 40 million LASIK eye surgeries have been performed worldwide, making it a success for many people. doing.
Despite the encouraging statistics, there are some uncertainties when considering LASIK eye surgery. The cost of LASIK and whether the procedure will be reimbursed by insurance are especially important.
If you are planning to undergo LASIK surgery and want to know if LASIK will be covered by insurance, this blog will provide valuable insight into the factors that can affect LASIK coverage.
What is LASIK surgery?
Refractive eye surgery, called LASIK, uses a laser to treat a patient’s vision problems. As this is an outpatient procedure, you can go home the same day. Refractive errors can also be treated with LASIK if your eyes cannot bend light properly. Refractive errors cause visual blur. LASIK improves your vision and improves your quality of life.
People who do not want to rely on glasses or contacts to improve their vision may benefit from LASIK as a treatment option. After LASIK, you may not even need to wear contacts or glasses. LASIK is only needed if you read or drive at night.
If you are considering making the right choice for LASIK, it is important to understand how LASIK works and its pros and cons. For example, only some are eligible for LASIK. Additionally, LASIK is usually not covered by insurance.
Also, read everything you need to know about health insurance plans before choosing one
What types of LASIK surgery are covered by insurance?
Insurance often covers all types of refractive surgery. The amount you can claim varies depending on the procedure. The most common LASIK surgeries are:
-
Laser-assisted in-situ corneal swelling (LASIK) costs Rs 10 million. 30,000 rupees 60,000.
-
Sub-Bowman Keratitis (SBK LASIK) costs Rs. 30,000 rupees 40,000.
-
Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) costs Rs. 25,000～60,000
-
Femtopathic: Rs. 30,000 to 1,20,000.
-
Smile LASIK: Rs 40,000 to Rs 1,20,000.
-
Contour Vision: Rs 95,000 to 1,000,000.
Some people believe that health insurance companies will only accept claims if they choose the latest method. The technology is selected based on the patient’s individual medical needs. If the patient is likely to develop dry eye syndrome or another type of corneal disease, PRK is the recommended course of action.
Therefore, medical considerations regarding treatment are taken into account when choosing the optimal procedure to correct refractive error. Therefore, patients can receive coverage for all procedures.
How much does the surgery cost?
More than 100,000 people in India have undergone laser eye surgery, making LASIK a popular option for those seeking better vision. Additionally, it can help permanently remove lenses and glasses. However, depending on the situation, the cost of the procedure may be high.
The price of LASIK eye surgery usually starts from 10 million rupees. 20,000 to Rs 1.5 million, depending on several variables. LASIK eye surgery usually costs around 10 million rupees. 60,000 for both eyes. Additional costs such as screening tests, prescriptions, follow-up visits, etc. may cost between 10,000 and 20,000 rupees. It costs 10,000 yen in addition to the 7,000 rupee treatment fee.
Which insurance companies in India cover LASIK eye surgery?
Below is a list of companies that offer comprehensive coverage for LASIK surgery in India.
-
Star Health Insurance – Applies if output is 7.5 D or higher.
-
Manipal Cigna If the output is 7.5 D or above, health insurance will apply.
-
Aditya Birla Health Insurance – Applicable if output is 7.5 D or above.
-
Long-term care health insurance – Applies if the output is 7.5 D or higher.
-
Bajaj Allianz Health Insurance – Applicable if output is 7.5 D or above.
Also read Lifestyle Factors Affecting Health Insurance Coverage
How can LASIK surgery benefit from basic health insurance plans?
Standard health insurance plans may cover LASIK eye surgery, but it depends on the terms of your policy. LASIK surgery may be available on basic health insurance plans in the following ways:
Compensation for health problems.
Basic health insurance often pays for surgeries needed to treat the disease and its consequences. If you develop a medical problem with your vision that requires treatment, your health insurance plan may cover the cost of LASIK surgery.
Scope of prior approval and consultation.
Some health insurance policies may cover pre-approval and consultation fees for LASIK surgery. An initial screening and evaluation by an ophthalmologist or refractive surgeon to assess the need for LASIK and obtain necessary insurance company approval may be supported by this coverage.
We’ll cover some of the steps.
Your basic health insurance plan may cover some of the cost of LASIK surgery. This means that the insurance policy will only cover part of the cost of the procedure and the rest will be borne by the insured.
Covers related prescription drugs and subsequent visits.
The cost of recommended medications such as eye drops and post-surgical medications, as well as the cost of appointments to see your surgeon or eye doctor after LASIK eye surgery, may be covered by your basic health insurance.
How much does LASIK cost covered by health insurance?
Some LASIK surgery components covered by health insurance are categorized as follows:
-
Hospital-related costs such as ICU, medical supplies, and nursing services.
-
Hospitalization costs before and after surgery, including initial examination fees and re-examination fees, will be charged.
-
The surgery fee and consultation fee will be paid to the surgeon.
-
Anesthesia costs.
-
Diagnostic tests and evaluations will be performed before and after surgery.
-
Health insurance plans are designed to reduce financial anxiety and improve your surgical experience. However, all plans have certain exclusions, so patients may have to pay out of pocket.
Also, read about 6 common complications of LASIK surgery.
conclusion
“Is LASIK covered by insurance?” is a question often asked when considering refractive eye surgery. Since LASIK eye surgery is considered a cosmetic surgery, most top insurance companies have only recently begun covering laser eye treatment.
However, as more and more people choose the treatment in recent years, many insurance companies now offer health insurance coverage for eye surgery.
Before scheduling your LASIK eye surgery appointment, check your insurance coverage, exclusions, and policy documents to see if your plan covers it. If you are looking for a medical insurance program, be sure to compare policies and check the essentials and coverages before purchasing the medical insurance you need.
