Posted by: LaserVue LASIK & Cataract Center in Category: LASIK
Q: Is there a loophole for Lasik surgery using insurance?
A: There is no loophole, but there should be. Your medical insurance is a business contract that includes limitations and exclusions. Lasik is considered an elective, arguably cosmetic, surgery. Virtually all major medical insurance plans have exclusions for elective surgery. Lasik is eye care procedure that relates to the refractive state (nearsighted, farsighted, astigmatism). Many major medical insurance plans exclude refractive state related procedures. Some insurance plans include eye care refractive state insurance, but the most they usually provide is a reduced fee for Lasik, not a traditional 80% coverage. A few insurance plans have included Lasik as a covered procedure. These are very, very rare.
The Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance, a nonprofit patient advocacy, established an Insurance Coverage for Refractive Surgery Position Statement. The organization took the position that there are circumstances when Lasik is not elective, but is an appropriate treatment for legitimate pathology, such as refractive errors caused by injury or extreme refractive error. In the US, Lasik is a medical expense that may be deducted from income for tax purposes and is an eligible expense for Flexible Spending Account and similar medical spending plans.
