Medicare does not pay for LASIK or other refractive eye surgery
Medicare does not cover LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) or similar procedures that correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. This is true whether you have Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) or a Medicare Advantage plan. The surgery is classified as elective and cosmetic, which means Medicare treats it the same way it treats other procedures chosen for appearance or convenience rather than to treat disease or injury.
If you want LASIK, you will pay the full cost out of pocket. The price varies widely depending on your eye prescription, the surgeon's experience, and where you live, but most people pay between $1,500 and $3,000 per eye. Some surgeons offer payment plans or discounts for both eyes, so it is worth asking about those options when you call for a consultation.
Key Takeaways
- Medicare Part A and Part B do not cover LASIK or other refractive surgery, even if you have had the procedure recommended by your eye doctor.
- Medicare Advantage plans follow the same rule — they cannot cover services that Original Medicare does not cover.
- If you have a medical eye condition like cataracts or corneal scarring that requires surgery, Medicare may cover that surgery, but not LASIK for vision correction.
- Some employers offer vision insurance or flexible spending accounts (FSAs) that may help pay for LASIK, so check your benefits before paying out of pocket.
- Discount vision programs and some optometry chains offer reduced rates for LASIK if you do not have insurance coverage.
What Medicare does cover for eye care
Medicare Part B covers routine eye exams and eyeglasses or contact lenses after cataract surgery. It also pays for treatment of eye diseases like glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration. If you have cataracts and need surgery to remove them, Medicare covers that procedure because cataracts are a medical condition, not a refractive error.
The distinction matters: Medicare pays for surgery that treats disease or restores function after injury or illness. It does not pay for surgery that changes the shape of your cornea to improve your vision when no disease is present. LASIK falls into the second category, so it remains your responsibility.
Why Medicare classifies LASIK as non-covered
Medicare's coverage rules are set by federal law and explore to all beneficiaries. The agency does not cover procedures it considers elective or cosmetic, and LASIK has been in that category since the procedure became widely available in the 1990s. The reasoning is that glasses and contact lenses are effective alternatives that Medicare already helps pay for in certain situations.
Even if your eye doctor says LASIK would improve your quality of life or reduce your dependence on glasses, that medical opinion does not change Medicare's classification. The decision is about the category of the procedure itself, not about individual need or benefit.
Other insurance options that may cover LASIK
If you have employer-sponsored health insurance in addition to Medicare, check whether that plan covers LASIK. Some employers include vision coverage that extends to refractive surgery, though this is less common than coverage for glasses and exams. You would use your employer plan first, not Medicare.
Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and health savings accounts (HSAs) can be used to pay for LASIK with pre-tax dollars, which reduces your out-of-pocket cost. If you are still working or have a spouse who is, ask your employer's benefits office whether you have access to either account. You can set aside money before taxes are taken out and use it for LASIK without paying income tax on that amount.
Some vision insurance plans sold separately from health insurance do cover LASIK or offer discounts through partner surgeons. These plans are not common and are usually purchased by people who know they want the procedure, but they exist. If you are interested, search for "vision insurance LASIK" along with your state to see what is available in your area.
How to find affordable LASIK if you are paying out of pocket
Start by calling LASIK centers in your area and asking about their cash prices. Prices vary significantly between surgeons and between regions, so getting several quotes takes time but can save you hundreds of dollars. Ask whether the quote includes follow-up visits and any enhancements if your vision does not stabilize as expected.
Many LASIK centers offer discounts if you pay for both eyes at once or if you pay in full upfront rather than using a payment plan. Some also run seasonal promotions. Discount vision programs like VSP Individual Vision Plans or EyeMed offer reduced rates at participating surgeons, and membership usually costs $100 to $200 per year.
Before choosing a surgeon based on price alone, verify their credentials and experience. Ask how many LASIK procedures they have performed and what their complication rate is. The American Academy of Ophthalmology website has a tool to find board-certified eye surgeons in your area, which is a good starting point for your search.
What to do if you have other eye conditions along with refractive error
If you have both a refractive error (nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism) and a medical eye condition like glaucoma or macular degeneration, Medicare will cover treatment for the medical condition but not the LASIK. You would need to decide whether to pursue LASIK separately and pay for it yourself, or continue using glasses or contacts to correct your vision while Medicare covers your disease treatment.
Talk with your eye doctor about how your specific conditions interact. In some cases, treating the medical condition first may change what refractive correction you need, which could affect whether LASIK makes sense for you. Your doctor can help you think through the timing and cost of different options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my Medicare Advantage plan to pay for LASIK instead of Original Medicare?
No. Medicare Advantage plans must cover everything that Original Medicare covers and cannot cover services that Original Medicare does not cover. Since Original Medicare does not cover LASIK, no Medicare Advantage plan can cover it either. All Medicare Advantage plans follow the same federal rules about which procedures are covered.
What if my eye doctor says LASIK is medically necessary for me?
Even if your doctor recommends LASIK, Medicare's classification of the procedure does not change. Medicare does not cover it based on medical recommendation alone. Your doctor's opinion may help you decide whether to pay for it yourself, but it does not make Medicare responsible for the cost.
Does Medicare cover PRK or other types of vision correction surgery?
No. Medicare does not cover PRK (photorefractive keratectomy), SMILE (small incision lenticule extraction), or other procedures that reshape the cornea to correct refractive error. All of these fall into the same category as LASIK — elective vision correction rather than treatment of disease.
Can I deduct LASIK as a medical expense on my taxes?
LASIK can be deducted as a medical expense on your federal income tax return, but only if your total medical expenses exceed a certain percentage of your adjusted gross income (currently 7.5 percent). Most people do not itemize deductions, so this benefit applies only if you have other significant medical expenses in the same year. Talk with a tax professional about whether it makes sense for your situation.
What if I had LASIK before I turned 65 and now need a touch-up?
Medicare does not cover touch-up or enhancement procedures after LASIK either. If your vision has changed since your original surgery and you want another procedure, you would pay for it out of pocket just as you would for an initial LASIK procedure. Some surgeons offer discounted or free enhancements within a certain time frame after the original surgery, so check your original paperwork or contact your surgeon.