Does Medicare Cover LASIK Eye Surgery?

It’s never too late to take steps to correct your vision, and many older adults on Medicare may be wondering if and how LASIK eye surgery is covered by Medicare. 

While LASIK eye surgery is not covered by Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Part B), some Medicare Advantage plans (Medicare Part C) may cover LASIK eye surgery. Medicare Advantage plans are sold by private insurance companies and are an alternative way of receiving Medicare health benefits and prescription drug coverage.

Medicare Advantage plans often cover routine vision care, prescription glasses and contact lenses. Many of these Medicare Advantage plans with vision benefits may also cover LASIK surgery.

When Does Medicare Pay for LASIK?

Some Medicare Advantage plans might not pay for LASIK, as corrective lenses may often be used to achieve similar results in your vision. In this case, Original Medicare and some Medicare Advantage plans will determine that a LASIK surgery is not medically necessary and therefore won’t be covered.

The same is true for many individual and employer-based health insurance plans. The procedure is generally not covered, although some insurance plans may offer a discount or stipend to help with the cost of the surgery. 

Medicare beneficiaries wanting LASIK surgery are not without hope though. As mentioned above, most Medicare Advantage plans cover vision care including exams, eyeglasses and contact lenses. And some plans may provide partial or even full coverage of LASIK eye surgery.

Medicare Advantage plans are sold by private insurance companies and work much like traditional health insurance with premiums, deductibles, coinsurance and provider networks. And they often come in the same HMO and PPO formats most people may be accustomed to. 

Medicare Advantage plans are required by law to provide all of the same coverage that’s found in Original Medicare. On top of those required benefits, Medicare Advantage plans may then offer additional benefits that are not included in Original Medicare. 

Among the more popular extra benefits that many Medicare Advantage plans may cover include:

• Vision and dental care
• Hearing aids
• Prescription drug coverage
• Free memberships to gyms or fitness organizations such as SilverSneakers
• Acupuncture
• Non-emergency transportation
• Home meal delivery
• Allowances for over-the-counter (OTC) health items 

A Medicare Advantage plan may also cover prescription medications that are needed before or after a LASIK procedure, and some plans will even cover the cost of your transportation to and from the appointment. 

Finding a Medicare Advantage Plan with LASIK Coverage

In order to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, you must first be enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B. 

You then must identify the Medicare Advantage plans that are available where you live, as you may only enroll in a plan that services your area. Medicare Advantage plans are sold by many of the same insurance companies you may already be familiar with, like Humana, Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross and more. 

Finally, you must find a Medicare Advantage plan that includes LASIK coverage, as not every plan will provide this benefit. Even if a plan includes vision coverage, it may not necessarily cover a LASIK surgery. 

There are only certain times of the year in which you may enroll in a Medicare plan. If you are a Medicare beneficiary wanting LASIK eye surgery, talk to a licensed insurance agent about your Medicare Advantage plan options and when you can enroll. With the right insurance coverage, you can see a brighter future for your eyes.  

Christian Worstell Author Bio

Christian Worstell is a Senior Staff Writer for MedicareAdvantage.com. He is passionate about helping people navigate the complexities of Medicare and understand their coverage options.

His work has been featured in outlets such as Vox, MSN and The Washington Post, and he is a frequent contributor to healthcare and finance blogs.

Christian is a graduate of Shippensburg University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He currently lives in Raleigh, NC.