LASIK Costs and Financing
Several Options for Covering LASIK Expense
The Cost of Care
The cost of laser eye surgery can vary, depending on the treatment. At Eye Physicians of Austin, we’re happy to discuss costs with you, even before you visit us. Before you decide to have LASIK, you’ll have a solid idea about the cost, including your care after LASIK.
Unlike some LASIK centers, your ophthalmologist at Eye Physicians of Austin handles all your care from start to finish. That includes evaluating your eyes before surgery, performing LASIK, and seeing you at several check-ups. The first visit is the day after surgery. The last check-up is usually a year later. There’s no extra charge.
Remember: Your eyes are too important to select your Austin eye doctor because of price alone.
Some bargain pricing isn’t even real. At least that’s what the Federal Trade Commission and angry consumers say about some LASIK centers. To get the best care at the best price, ask questions.
Paying for Care
The good news: Several affordable payment options can cover the costs of LASIK.
The bad news: Don’t expect help from Medicare or Medicaid. They and most health insurance plans often won’t pay for LASIK because they say it is elective (optional) surgery.
At Eye Physicians of Austin, the LASIK staff and business office can help you handle financial details, including these options:
Interest-Free Financing
Consider a no-interest payment plan or other financing. CareCredit, a leader in patient/client financing, has helped more than 3 million patients/clients get the treatment or procedures they needed and wanted. With a comprehensive range of plan options, for treatment or procedure fees from $1 to over $25,000, CareCredit offers a plan and a low monthly payment to fit comfortably into almost every budget.
FSA, MSA, HSA, HRA, medical cafeteria plan and more
These health savings accounts may pay for LASIK. They are all a little different and have many names including flexible spending arrangement (FSA), medical savings account (MSA), health savings account (HSA) or health reimbursement arrangement (HRA). They may be called a medical cafeteria plan, medical flex plan, Section 125, Flex125 or similar names.
A very common account, the FSA, provides a very general idea how all these work: You put a portion of your paycheck into the FSA to pay for some health expenses (most plans include LASIK). Your contributions are deducted from your paycheck before any taxes on your income. You often save hundreds of dollars in taxes.
Even if you don’t have the money in your account yet, the FSA frequently will pay for your LASIK.
If you decide to pay with FSA or similar funds, we can help arrange it.
See IRS Publication 969 for details on all these plans. Your employer and a health insurance agent also may help.
Credit Cards, Checks, Cash
We accept Master Card, Visa, American Express, Discover, checks and cash.
Tax Deductions
The IRS says laser eye surgery (such as LASIK) is deductible, if you meet other qualifications. FSAs and related plans also save money on taxes. Ask your tax advisor for details.
At Eye Physicians of Austin, LASIK vision correction involves more than just a medical procedure. We work hard to make Austin laser vision correction financially manageable for you.