If you’ve been wearing glasses or contact lenses for years, waking up and seeing clearly without them can be incredibly appealing. LASIK eye surgery is a popular procedure that can provide this life-changing experience; this surgery can lead you to achieve 20/20 vision and get rid of your glasses. But what if you don’t have insurance to cover the costs?
In this blog, we’ll explore whether LASIK surgery is worth it without insurance and answer some common questions about LASIK eye surgery costs without insurance.
Are You a Good Candidate for LASIK?
LASIK eye surgery is not suitable for everyone. According to Forbes, to be a good fit for it, you must consider the following factors:
- You must be 18 years or older
- Have a stable vision for at least one year
- Your refractive error should not be as serious as glaucoma or cataracts and needs to be able to be improved by LASIK
- You don’t have an autoimmune disease that can lead to improper healing
- You haven’t had a refractive surgery in the past
It is important to validate these factors with your eye doctor. They will run a series of exams to ensure LASIK is a good fit for you; if not, they can recommend other options to address your refractive error.
Does Insurance Cover LASIK Eye Surgery?
LASIK is an elective surgery and is not typically covered by insurance. However, certain non-standard vision insurance plans like VSP or EyeMed might provide benefits or discounts. These perks may include additional services and savings for individuals considering LASIK. If you choose to have LASIK surgery at a surgery center or eye doctor affiliated with your insurance plan, you may also be eligible for a discount.
People who count on Medicare and Medicaid are also not eligible for this insurance policy. For example, Medicare only covers eye exams, prescription glasses, contact lenses, frames, and surgery related to a medical condition.
How Much Does LASIK Eye Surgery Cost Without Insurance?
the cost of Lasik eye surgery averages within $1,000 to $3,000 per eye. There are some factors that can affect the cost of the surgery that you need to consider.
Factors that Affect the Cost
LASIK eye surgery cost without insurance can vary due to different factors, such as:
- Your vision prescription: The cost of LASIK may vary based on the severity of your prescription or any specialized needs, such as astigmatism correction.
- Type of Lasik surgery procedure: The bladeless LASIK procedure, which utilizes lasers exclusively, falls within the midrange cost. Custom (wavefront) procedures usually incur higher charges, while LASIK with blades and lasers or PRK may be comparatively more affordable.
- Location: LASIK procedures generally come with a higher price tag in larger cities and urban areas.
What’s Usually Included in the Cost of LASIK?
In most instances, the surgery cost for LASIKis a fixed rate. Therefore, following a consultation, you can determine your eligibility and ascertain the associated expenses. The cost typically encompasses various components, such as:
- Preoperative examination
- Surgical fee
- Prescription eye drops
- Follow-up appointment
Leaders in Vision Correction in Reno, Nevada
LASIK surgery can be a life-changing procedure that frees you from the hassles of glasses and contact lenses. While the cost of LASIK eye surgery without insurance may seem daunting, weighing it against the benefits of improved vision, convenience, and long-term savings is essential.
At Eye Care Professionals, our experienced ophthalmologists are leaders in vision correction procedures. We provide financing options for our LASIK patients. Also, we accept different forms of payment, including debit and credit cards, cash or check, health savings accounts (HSA), and Care Credit on any services that cost more than $1,200. Book a consultation with us today to discuss your options for LASIK eye surgery.
