Will health insurance cover LASIK surgery? Here’s what you need to know
I am planning to undergo LASIK surgery to correct my eyesight. Will my health insurance policy cover this procedure? What are the rules and conditions I should be aware of?- Name withheld on requestLASIK surgery is a popular option to correct vision and reduce dependence on glasses or contact lenses.
But when it comes to insurance, coverage is far from straightforward.While widely opted for, LASIK is typically treated as an elective procedure—meaning most policyholders end up paying out of pocket unless specific medical conditions are met.LASIK, or Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis, is used to treat refractive errors such as myopia (near-sightedness), hypermetropia (far-sightedness) and astigmatism.The short answer is that coverage for LASIK is limited and conditional. Most standard health insurance policies in India classify LASIK as an elective or cosmetic procedure, and therefore, it is typically not covered under basic plans.Insurers view LASIK as a lifestyle-enhancing treatment rather than a medically necessary intervention.
As a result, policyholders opting for LASIK purely to eliminate dependency on glasses or lenses will generally have to bear the cost out of pocket.However, there are important exceptions.Many insurers provide coverage for LASIK if it is medically necessary. A common condition specified in policies is that the refractive error should exceed a certain threshold—typically ±7.5 diopters or higher.
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