Does VSP Cover LASIK

Do you wear glasses or contact lenses? Tired of the ever-accumulating costs of new prescriptions, frames, contact lenses, or lens cleaning supplies? Laser eye surgery (LASIK) candidates will be happy to learn that LASIK procedures are more than just the most economical vision correction solution in the long run. This elective surgery is also more affordable than ever, courtesy of expanding vision insurance and other helpful financial options.

At Kleiman Evangelista Eye Centers of Texas, our caring eye care professionals understand that cost is a determining factor for choosing vision care and vision correction options. Our eye care clinic supports informed decisions by providing thorough consultations with qualified eye doctors, comprehensive information about the costs and benefits of options, and multiple ways to afford care.

What Is LASIK?

LASIK, or Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, is a vision correction surgery. Individuals suffering from refractive errors can improve their vision significantly through laser eye surgery, reducing their dependence on other eyewear.

Refractive eye disorders include nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Blurry or unfocused vision results from imperfect corneal shapes. An abnormal cornea prevents light from filtering properly through the eye because it doesn’t hit the retina at the right angle. When this occurs, images become distorted all the time or at certain distances.

Glasses or contact lenses change where or how light focuses on the retina. Alternatively, LASIK surgery takes advantage of advanced eye mapping technology and controlled lasers to change the shape and curvature of the cornea. In this way, laser eye surgery offers patients better vision and permanent results. So, you see better and live life fully.

Does VSP Cover LASIK?

LASIK is ideal for many qualified patients, but it may initially sound expensive. Fortunately, many vision care insurance providers have expanded their vision coverage to include elective laser eye surgery. Vision Service Plan (VSP) offers helpful discounts for LASIK with VSP-contracted laser vision centers.

What Is VSP?

VSP is a vision insurance provider offering coverage for eye care, eye exams, glasses and contact lenses, and eye surgeries and procedures. The company’s vision benefit includes over 36,000 eye care providers, optometrists and ophthalmologists across the United States; helping patients access lower out-of-pocket costs for high-quality services and eyewear. Kleiman Evangelista is proud to be a part of its network, striving for accessible and affordable eye care in Texas.

How to Find Your VSP Coverage

You can find out about your specific VSP coverage for vision corrective surgeries by speaking to a dedicated VSP agent, accessing your detailed benefits and coverage plan, or discussing your savings with an in-network vision care provider. At Kleiman Evangelista, our friendly staff will be happy to discuss insurance options for laser vision correction and discounts offered through your VSP plan.

What Impacts LASIK Costs?

LASIK surgeries do not have a standardized price, as providers use varying factors to calculate the final cost. Major determinants include:

• Technology: Advanced technology means safer procedures, customized results, and quicker healing times. However, the cost of the latest hardware, software, and training programs may mean slightly higher fees.
• Experience: Eye surgeons must have up-to-date training to ensure patient safety and surgical effectiveness. Higher education, extensive experience, and prestigious accomplishments can display sharper skills, detailed work, or strict standard adherence.
• Location: Providers must consider the city and state when determining LASIK rates. The cost of business operations may be higher in certain areas than in others.
• Vision Prescription: The severity of your refraction error matters, as your eye doctor may need to spend more time customizing your results.
• Inclusions: Some LASIK rates only include the cost of the surgery, appearing to be lower than others. However, they may not include consultations, follow-up care, or any necessary enhancement procedures in the future.

Ways to Save on LASIK

Our Kleiman Evangelista team knows cost can be a concern, primarily when investing in an advanced procedure such as LASIK. We work with our patients to make a better vision and better quality of life a possibility. We provide plenty of payment options to make laser eye surgery more affordable.

VSP

VSP, a vision insurance company, opens its coverage to laser eye surgery. They significantly reduce patient expenses by working with specially contracted laser eye surgery centers and VSP eye doctors, like our very own Dr. Kelly Frasier. Our staff would be happy to check to see if you are eligible for laser benefits. You can also contact your provider to learn more about your plan coverage.

To find out more about a specific discount program, vision the VSP website. The site also has VSP network details so you can search for a VSP network doctor provider such as Kleiman Evangelista.

Insurance

Traditionally, many insurance companies do not offer coverage for LASIK as they consider it an elective procedure. However, they may follow in the footsteps of VSP and expand their policies. Find out more by contacting your provider.

Financing

Financing allows patients to spread out the cost of their LASIK procedure over an agreeable period of time. This way, they can improve their vision without worrying about high upfront costs. At Kleiman Evangelista, we are pleased to provide interest-free financing for up to 24 months and flexible payment plans for up to 60 months to qualified patients.

HSA

If your insurance does not cover your laser eye surgery, Your Health Savings Account (HSA) may reduce your financial burden. HSA lets you set aside pre-tax money to pay for eligible medical expenses, including LASIK eye surgery. Use your contributions to partially or fully cover the procedure.

FSA

A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is an excellent way to reduce or cover LASIK surgery fees. FSA allows you to set aside pre-tax money, deducted from your paychecks regularly, to pay for your procedure. Depending on your plan, you may need to use a certain amount before the year’s end. You may have a grace period where you can simultaneously use last year’s and this year’s available funds. Contact your HR department to learn more about the proper procedure for using your FSA funds.

LASIK Cost vs Contacts vs Glasses

Patients should review the lifetime costs of glasses, contact lenses, and laser eye surgery before selecting their vision correction. After all, glasses and contacts appear inexpensive due to their lower introductory rates. However, over time, they accumulate high costs, whereas LASIK remains a one-time fee. Ultimately, laser surgery may help you save hundreds or thousands of dollars.

Cost of Glasses

Glasses have a wide range of prices, from $8 to $1000, depending on many factors. Purchase location, brand, and prescription can make a difference in the price. As a rule of thumb, the higher the prescription, the higher the cost. You may see higher expenses if you purchase tinted lenses, photochromic lenses, or progressive lenses. Additionally, individuals may need to carry more than one pair of eyeglasses for different activities.

Corrective lenses come with expenses beyond the initial cost of the purchase. You may need new prescriptions every year or two, new glasses to match any eye or vision changes, or replacements due to damage or accidental loss. Excellent vision insurance can reduce costs; however, the ongoing fees can be burdensome. Plus, you pay out-of-pocket if you go over the frame allowance on your vision insurance plan.

Cost of Contact Lenses

Contact lenses cost an average of $185 to $1000 annually. There are many different kinds of contacts created for different eye conditions, prescriptions, and lengths of wear. Eye exams, dilation and imaging tests, fitting procedures, and contact solutions add to these initial costs.

Most vision insurance providers offer some coverage for glasses and contact lenses. Yet, the long-term costs of contacts are higher than glasses and add up quickly over the calendar year, whether you’re a VSP member or not.

Cost of LASIK

Laser eye surgery centers set the cost for LASIK procedures, using various factors to determine the final price. Across the United States, rates range between $2,200 and $4,400. The costs may be higher if you receive treatment from a reputable provider with skilled surgeons and advanced technology. Luckily, many clinics help reduce costs by accepting a long list of insurance plans, facilitating HSA and FSA payments, and providing financing options.

When considering glasses or contacts, patients mainly think about the costs of physical eyewear. Clinics rarely include the cost of eye exams, fittings, and follow-up care in the price of the products. At Kleiman Evangelista Eye Centers of Texas, our package includes:

• Consultation
• LASIK surgery
• Six months of follow-up care
• A lifetime guarantee for necessary enhancement procedures

At first glance, the cost may appear high, especially when compared to the price of one pair of glasses or one year of contact lenses. Yet, it is critical to consider ongoing eyewear fees adding up over the years. LASIK is a one-time fee because it provides superior vision results that last a lifetime. Find out how much you could save by using our LASIK Savings Calculator!

Schedule a LASIK Consultation with a VSP Eye Surgeon

Eliminating extra, recurring expenses from glasses or contacts, and experiencing crystal clear, focused vision? A dream come true for many of our patients here at Kleiman Evangelista Eye Centers of Texas.

There is no time like the present to take advantage of your insurance coverage, improve your vision, and enhance your quality of life. Now that you know VSP may reduce your out-of-pocket laser eye surgery costs, you should discuss your eligibility with our VSP eye doctor and LASIK surgeon, Dr. Frasier.

We also specialize in cataract surgery and other vision-saving procedures covered by VSP vision care.

Schedule your free consultation with us today!