Does Vision Insurance Cover LASIK? What You Need to Know

LASIK eye surgery is one of the most popular elective medical procedures in the United States, with roughly 700,000 to 800,000 procedures performed each year. The appeal is obvious: the possibility of waking up with clear vision and no longer needing glasses or contacts. But at $2,000 to $3,000 per eye, LASIK is a significant financial commitment, and one of the first questions people ask is whether their insurance will help pay for it.

The short answer is that most vision insurance plans do not cover LASIK. Because LASIK is classified as an elective procedure, it falls outside the scope of what standard vision and health insurance plans will pay for. However, that does not mean your insurance is useless. Many vision plans offer meaningful discounts through laser surgery networks, and there are several other financial strategies that can reduce what you pay out of pocket. This guide walks through everything you need to know about paying for LASIK, from insurance discounts to HSA strategies to financing options.

Why Vision Insurance Does Not Cover LASIK

To understand why vision insurance will not pay for LASIK, it helps to understand what vision insurance is designed to do. As explained in our vision insurance guide, vision plans are routine-care benefits. They cover predictable, recurring expenses like annual eye exams, prescription glasses, and contact lenses. Vision insurance operates more like a discount program for everyday eye care than a true insurance product that protects against large unexpected costs.

LASIK is an elective surgical procedure. You choose to have it done to improve your quality of life, but it is not medically necessary in most cases. Insurance companies classify elective procedures differently from medically necessary ones. Since you can continue wearing glasses or contacts as an alternative, insurers view LASIK as a lifestyle choice rather than a medical need. This classification is what keeps it out of standard coverage.

Regular health insurance follows the same logic. Your medical plan covers eye conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, and retinal detachments because these are medical problems requiring treatment. But correcting refractive errors through laser surgery is considered optional, so health insurance will not pay for LASIK either.

How Much LASIK Actually Costs

Before exploring how to pay for LASIK, it is helpful to understand what you are looking at in terms of total cost. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology and market data from refractive surgery centers, the average cost of LASIK in the United States breaks down as follows:

• Standard LASIK (microkeratome blade): $1,500 to $2,500 per eye. This uses a mechanical blade to create the corneal flap. While safe and effective, it is an older technique that fewer surgeons offer today.
• Bladeless or all-laser LASIK: $2,000 to $3,000 per eye. A femtosecond laser creates the flap instead of a blade. This is the most common type performed today and is generally considered the standard of care.
• Custom or wavefront-guided LASIK: $2,500 to $3,500 per eye. This uses detailed mapping of your eye to create a personalized treatment plan. It can address higher-order aberrations that standard LASIK may not correct.

For both eyes, most people should budget $4,000 to $6,000 for a quality procedure from an experienced surgeon. Be cautious of prices advertised significantly below $1,000 per eye. These promotional rates often apply only to mild prescriptions, may use older equipment, and may not include pre-operative and post-operative care visits in the quoted price.

Vision Plan LASIK Discounts: VSP, EyeMed, and Others

While vision plans will not cover the full cost of LASIK, many of the major carriers offer access to discounted laser vision correction through negotiated networks. If you already have a vision plan, as we discuss in our article on whether vision insurance is worth it, checking for LASIK discount benefits is one of the first things you should do when considering surgery. Here is what the major vision carriers typically offer:

• VSP Vision Care: VSP partners with TLC Laser Eye Centers and other network providers to offer members an average savings of 15 to 20 percent on LASIK. VSP members also receive a discount on PRK procedures. The discount applies to the contracted rate at participating surgeons, not the advertised retail price, so the actual dollar savings can vary. Members can expect to save $800 to $1,200 on a bilateral (both eyes) procedure.
• EyeMed: EyeMed offers LASIK discounts through its network of US Laser Network providers. Members can receive 15 to 25 percent off the retail price, or a set discounted price per eye depending on the provider. EyeMed also offers discounts on PRK and other refractive procedures. Savings typically range from $600 to $1,500 on both eyes combined.
• Spectera (United Healthcare Vision): Spectera plans offer LASIK discounts through contracted surgical centers, typically 10 to 20 percent off standard pricing. Benefits vary by employer plan, so you need to check your specific benefit summary.
• Davis Vision: Davis Vision offers members access to discounted LASIK through QualSight, a network of pre-screened surgeons. Discounts typically range from 15 to 25 percent, with additional savings on enhancement procedures if needed.

To access these discounts, you need to use a surgeon who participates in your vision plan's laser surgery network. Call your vision plan's member services line or check the plan website to find participating surgeons near you. Get a quote from both a network surgeon and a non-network surgeon to compare the actual out-of-pocket costs, since a highly experienced non-network surgeon may offer competitive pricing as well.

Using HSA and FSA Funds for LASIK

One of the most effective ways to reduce the cost of LASIK is to pay for it with pre-tax dollars through a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA). The IRS classifies LASIK as a qualified medical expense under Publication 502, which means you can use funds from either type of account to cover the procedure.

Here is how the tax savings work. Every dollar you contribute to an HSA or FSA avoids federal income tax, state income tax (in most states), and FICA taxes. For someone in the 22 percent federal tax bracket who also pays 5 percent in state income tax and 7.65 percent in FICA, the effective tax savings on each dollar is approximately 34.65 percent. On a $5,000 LASIK procedure, that translates to roughly $1,732 in tax savings.

Timing strategies for FSA and HSA usage:

• FSA strategy: If your employer offers a healthcare FSA, you can elect up to $3,300 in 2026 (the IRS adjusts this limit annually). Since FSA funds are available in full at the start of the plan year, you could schedule LASIK early in the year and use the entire FSA balance even before you have contributed the full amount through payroll deductions. This effectively gives you an interest-free loan from your employer. The catch is that FSA funds generally must be used within the plan year or they are forfeited, though some employers offer a grace period or carryover option.
• HSA strategy: If you have a high-deductible health plan with an HSA, you can contribute up to $4,300 for individual coverage or $8,550 for family coverage in 2026. Unlike FSAs, HSA funds roll over indefinitely and can be invested. If you do not have enough saved in your HSA to cover the full cost of LASIK, you can save over multiple years. There is no deadline to use the funds. You can also pay for LASIK out of pocket now and reimburse yourself from the HSA later, even years later, as long as you keep the receipt.
• Combining both plan years: If your employer's FSA plan year runs on a calendar year, consider scheduling your LASIK in late December or early January. You may be able to use remaining FSA funds from the current year and new FSA funds from the next year's election, effectively doubling your pre-tax contribution toward the procedure. Check your plan's grace period rules before attempting this strategy.

PRK vs. LASIK: Coverage and Cost Differences

PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) is the other major type of laser vision correction surgery. It was developed before LASIK and uses a different technique: instead of creating a corneal flap, the surgeon removes the outer layer of the cornea (epithelium) entirely, then reshapes the underlying tissue with a laser. The epithelium grows back during recovery.

From an insurance and coverage standpoint, PRK is treated the same as LASIK. Both are classified as elective refractive surgery and are not covered by vision or health insurance. Vision plan discount networks typically include both LASIK and PRK in their laser vision correction benefits, so you would receive a similar percentage discount on either procedure.

The cost difference is generally modest. PRK typically costs $2,000 to $2,500 per eye compared to $2,000 to $3,000 per eye for LASIK. PRK may be recommended over LASIK if your corneas are too thin for a flap, if you have certain corneal conditions, or if you are in a profession with a high risk of eye trauma where a corneal flap could be problematic. The recovery period for PRK is longer, usually three to five days of discomfort compared to one day for LASIK, with full visual stabilization taking one to three months.

Both LASIK and PRK are eligible expenses for HSA and FSA accounts. Your surgeon will recommend which procedure is better suited for your eyes based on corneal thickness, prescription strength, and other anatomical factors.

When Medical Insurance Does Cover Laser Eye Surgery

While the general rule is that insurance does not cover LASIK, there are limited circumstances where medical insurance may pay for refractive surgery. These exceptions are rare, but they do exist:

• Corneal conditions requiring treatment: If you have a corneal dystrophy, significant corneal scarring, or another condition that affects your vision and cannot be adequately corrected with glasses or contacts, your ophthalmologist may be able to document the procedure as medically necessary. In these cases, a laser procedure like PTK (phototherapeutic keratectomy) may be covered, and LASIK or PRK may be approved as part of the treatment plan.
• Severe anisometropia: Anisometropia is a condition where each eye has a significantly different refractive error. If the difference is large enough that glasses cause intolerable image size disparity and contacts are not viable, refractive surgery may be deemed medically necessary. This requires extensive documentation and prior authorization.
• Post-surgical correction: After certain medically necessary eye surgeries, such as a corneal transplant or cataract surgery with complications, laser refractive correction may be covered if it is needed to restore functional vision that glasses cannot adequately provide.
• Military and federal employee benefits: Active-duty military personnel may have access to LASIK or PRK at no cost through military medical facilities, as refractive surgery can improve operational readiness. Some branches of the military offer these procedures at select military hospitals. Additionally, certain federal employee vision plans offer enhanced LASIK discounts beyond what civilian plans provide.

If you believe your situation may qualify for medical necessity coverage, speak with your ophthalmologist about documenting your condition and submitting a prior authorization request to your health insurer. For more about what Medicare and health plans cover for eye care generally, see our guide on whether Medicare covers vision and eye exams.

Financing Options for LASIK

If you do not have enough savings, HSA, or FSA funds to cover the full cost of LASIK, several financing options can help make the procedure more affordable:

• Medical credit cards: Companies like CareCredit and Alphaeon Credit offer medical credit cards with promotional interest-free periods of 12, 18, or 24 months. Many LASIK centers accept these cards. The key is to pay off the entire balance before the promotional period ends. If you do not, you may be charged deferred interest on the full original balance at rates of 25 to 29 percent APR.
• In-house financing from LASIK centers: Some LASIK surgery centers offer their own financing plans with monthly payment options. Terms and interest rates vary. Ask about the total cost of financing including all interest charges, and compare it to other options before committing.
• Personal loans: A personal loan from a bank or credit union may offer a fixed interest rate lower than credit card rates, typically 6 to 15 percent APR depending on your credit score. This can be a more transparent option than promotional credit cards if you need more than 24 months to pay off the balance.
• Combining HSA or FSA with financing: You can use your tax-advantaged accounts to cover part of the cost and finance the remainder. For example, if LASIK costs $5,000 and you have $3,000 in your HSA, you could pay $3,000 from the HSA and put the remaining $2,000 on a promotional interest-free credit card, then pay it off over 12 months.

Questions to Ask Your Insurance Provider and Surgeon

Before scheduling LASIK, arm yourself with the right questions. Contact both your insurance company and your prospective surgeon to clarify costs and benefits:

Questions for your vision insurance plan:

• Does my plan offer any LASIK or laser vision correction discounts?
• Which surgeons and laser centers participate in the plan's discount network?
• Is the discount a percentage off the surgeon's fee, or a flat discounted rate per eye?
• Does the discount apply to all types of laser surgery, including PRK and wavefront-guided LASIK?
• Are enhancement or touch-up procedures covered by the discount if needed later?

Questions for your LASIK surgeon:

• What is the all-inclusive price for the procedure, including pre-operative exams, the surgery itself, and all post-operative visits?
• Do you accept vision plan discounts, and if so, what is the discounted price per eye?
• Is there a warranty or lifetime enhancement policy included, and what does it cover?
• What financing options do you offer, and what are the interest rates and terms?
• Do you accept HSA or FSA debit cards as a form of payment?

How to Maximize Your Savings on LASIK

To get the lowest possible out-of-pocket cost for LASIK, combine multiple strategies. If you are shopping for a vision plan specifically for its LASIK discount, compare the options in our best vision insurance plans for 2026 guide. Here is a step-by-step approach to minimizing costs:

• Step 1: Check your vision plan for LASIK discounts. Even if you did not buy the plan for LASIK, you may already have a discount benefit. Call your carrier or check the member portal.
• Step 2: Get quotes from multiple surgeons. Pricing varies significantly between practices. Get at least three quotes, including one from a network provider and one or two from non-network surgeons. Ask for the all-inclusive price.
• Step 3: Maximize your HSA or FSA contributions. If you know you are going to get LASIK this year, elect the maximum FSA contribution during your open enrollment period. If you have an HSA, make sure you have enough saved or plan to contribute enough by your surgery date.
• Step 4: Time your surgery strategically. Schedule LASIK early in the plan year if you are using an FSA, so you can access the full balance immediately. Some surgeons also offer seasonal promotions or lower prices during their slower months.
• Step 5: Use interest-free financing for the remainder. If your HSA or FSA does not cover the full amount, use a promotional interest-free credit card or the surgeon's financing plan for the remaining balance. Pay it off within the promotional period to avoid interest charges.

By stacking a vision plan discount with HSA or FSA tax savings and interest-free financing, you can reduce the effective cost of LASIK by 30 to 50 percent compared to paying the full retail price out of pocket with after-tax dollars.

The Bottom Line

Vision insurance does not cover LASIK in most cases. The procedure is classified as elective, and neither vision plans nor standard health insurance will pay for it. However, this does not mean you are on your own financially. Most major vision plans offer meaningful discounts of 10 to 25 percent through their laser vision correction networks, which can save you several hundred to over a thousand dollars on the procedure.

The most impactful way to reduce your LASIK costs is to use pre-tax HSA or FSA funds. The IRS considers LASIK a qualified medical expense, so you can save your full marginal tax rate on every dollar you spend through these accounts. Combined with a vision plan discount and smart financing, the effective cost of LASIK can be significantly lower than the sticker price.

In rare cases where LASIK may be medically necessary, such as severe anisometropia or certain corneal conditions, medical insurance may provide coverage. If you think your situation qualifies, work with your ophthalmologist to document the medical necessity and submit a prior authorization request.

Whether you ultimately decide LASIK is the right choice depends on your vision, your budget, and your personal preferences. Take the time to research surgeons, compare pricing, and understand all of your payment options before committing. A well-planned approach can make LASIK surprisingly affordable.

Plans, pricing, and tax limits vary. This article is for educational purposes and does not constitute individual financial or medical advice. Consult a licensed insurance agent or tax professional for guidance specific to your situation.