So you’ve decided to take the plunge and undergo LASIK eye surgery. Apart from the preliminary examinations, evaluation, briefing about the surgery, and signing the informed consent, there is another important step to take prior to having the surgery– payment for the procedure. The price of LASIK surgery varies from $1,000 – $3,000 per eye depending on your location, type of equipment to be used, and experience of your LASIK surgeon and whether follow-up procedure and re-treatment procedures are included.
The most common payment options for LASIK Surgery are:
Credit Cards
Majority of patients opt to use credit cards to pay for their Lasik Surgery. Credit card companies often offer promotional interest rates as introductory offers. Some are very low and can even include zero percent interest for new customers. Most practices accept Visa, MasterCard, and American Express cards. Payment via credit card offers you the advantage of arranging your own payment schedule. Moreover, credit cards offer points or accumulate miles when used. Just imagine how great it will be to travel and see the world with better eyesight.
Flex Plans
Some companies have benefit programs that make elective surgeries an affordable option. These insurance plans are called Flex Plans or Alternative Health Plans. It allows you to withhold a pre-defined amount of pretax salary through payroll deduction to save up and pay for the LASIK procedure. If you are planning to undergo laser eye surgery, you should first consult with a doctor to determine if you are a good candidate. You can then advise your employer so the proper amount can be withdrawn through payroll deduction.
Insurance Benefits
Most insurance companies do not cover LASIK eye surgery. However, there are companies that offer a defined benefit to certain participants. These plans fall into 2 main types. The first type is Indemnity Plan, in which the company or the health insurance company pays the LASIK surgeon a part of the usual fee. Depending on the nature of the arrangement with the insurance company, you may or may not be required to contribute a portion of the payment. Any necessary deductable may apply. An Indemnity Plan is the best insurance an employer can give because it allows you to obtain comprehensive LASIK care at a minimal cost, if any.
The second type of is Discounted Fee For Service Plan. With this type of plan, there is an arrangement with the LASIK clinic to accept a discounted fee from you. This can be as low as 50% of the standard fee that the LASIK surgeon typically receives.
Affordable Easy Payment Plans
Another popular payment plan option is “No Money Down”. As the name indicates, no payment is required whatsoever in order to undergo the LASIK procedure. This is a good option for those looking to have LASIK surgery done right away even without cash on hand. Payment can be made in installments over a period of time. Make sure the interest rates are reasonable, though, as a costly LASIK procedure can get even more so when high interest rates are added.
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