Call to speak to a Licensed Insurance Agent
Mon - Fri 8am – 8pm EST; Sat - Sun 10am - 6pm EST
Call to speak to a Licensed Insurance Agent
Mon - Fri 8am – 8pm EST; Sat - Sun 10am - 6pm EST
LASIK eye surgery is a procedure that is commonly done to repair vision issues. This includes nearsightedness, farsightedness, and even astigmatism.
For seniors considering the procedure, a common question many have is, “Does Medicare cover LASIK eye surgery?” In this article, we answer the question in clear, plain English. You will also find the average costs of LASIK eye surgery and other helpful info.
The short answer is no. In most cases, Medicare will not cover the cost of LASIK eye surgery. That said, there may be some situations where you can get these costs covered. Below we’ll take a closer look at this to see when you might be able to get Medicare to pay for your LASIK eye surgery.
Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Part B) does not provide coverage for LASIK eye surgery. That is because Original Medicare considers LASIK eye surgery to be more of an elective procedure. There are other options out there to help you fix or improve your vision. These include eyeglasses or contact lens (both of which Original Medicare does not also cover, by the way). So LASIK is not considered to be medically necessary.
That said, some Medicare Advantage plans (Medicare Part C) provide coverage for LASIK eye surgery. Medicare Advantage plans cover everything Original Medicare covers and some additional benefits. However, out-of-pocket costs will vary depending on the plan provided by the plan providers.
But how can you get Medicare Part C to cover your LASIK eye surgery, you may ask? Well, here are some ways Medicare Part C may provide coverage for your LASIK eye surgery:
LASIK eye surgery in the United States usually costs between $2,000 and $3,000 per eye. It may cost more than $3,000 if you live in a big city or go to a highly experienced doctor. If you see prices much lower than that, look out! It may be a bait and switch tactic.
Note: Medicare coverage changes all the time. And your specific coverage may vary from plan to plan for Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans. Always be sure to double check with your health care provider and/or Medicare insurance provider about what your plan covers and what it does not.
This article is part of our series on “What does Medicare cover?”
Also, you can check out other articles in this series including: Does Medicare cover Massage Therapy?