Does Health Insurance Cover LASIK Surgery?

A 23-year-old professional, Priya residing in New Delhi discovers she needs to undergo LASIK surgery in a preventive eye care check-up drive set up by her employers. Prolonged screen hours have degraded her already weak eyesight even further. However, despite having a health insurance plan she hesitates to undergo LASIK surgery as one question runs through her mind 'Does health insurance cover LASIK'?

In this blog, we explore topics surrounding LASIK health insurance

• What Is LASIK Surgery?
• Will Health Insurance Cover LASIK?
• Conditions Under Which Doctors Recommend LASIK Surgery
• LASIK health insurance plans

What Is LASIK Surgery?

LASIK expands to 'laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis' and it is becoming an increasingly popular procedure to treat eyesight problems like:

• Hypermetropia or Hyperopia (Far Sightedness)
• Myopia (Near Sightedness)
• Astigmatism (blurred vision for both near and far-sightedness)

Individuals with any of the conditions mentioned above are often prescribed corrective lenses or spectacles.

Doctors suggest LASIK Surgery if the patient's eyesight has been stable for over a year with no further degradation in their eyesight. LASIK eye surgery involves a precise laser that reshapes your corneal tissue bit by bit leading to improved vision. LASIK eye surgery is a quick procedure lasting about 30 minutes offering you a better quality of life wherein you do not require corrective lenses.

Types Of LASIK Eye Surgery

Different types of LASIK eye surgeries that are performed on patients for corrective measures are:

Will Your Health Insurance Cover LASIK?

'Does Health Insurance cover LASIK' is a question often overlooked when purchasing a health plan unless you plan on undergoing corrective LASIK surgery. Most health insurance plans cover LASIK eye surgery however, the waiting period and conditions may vary from plan to plan.

It is important to read the terms and conditions before purchasing a health plan to determine if your health plan covers the same.

IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India) has issued guidelines stating when a health plan covers you for LASIK surgery.

• The refractive error must be greater than 7.5 dioptres as diagnosed by the consulting doctor
• In case of any accident or injuries leading to refractive errors in the eyesight of the insured individual
• A waiting period must be served as per the policy schedule which can vary from insurer to insurer
• LASIK surgery is not covered under your health plan if done for cosmetic purposes
• In case the insured individual has physical deformity and can not physically wear glasses

Factors Affecting LASIK Eye Surgery Cost In India

Availing of corrective eye surgery like LASIK can be expensive if paid fully out of pocket. The cost of LASIK eye surgery in India may start from as low as INR 25,000 and can go as high as INR 1.5 Lakhs or more.

The cost of LASIK eye surgery also depends on several variables:

Best Time To Undergo LASIK Eye Surgery

Doctors prescribe their patients to undergo LASIK eye surgery between the ages of 18 to 40 years. Any individual who requires corrective eyesight surgery must be over the age of 18 and have stable eyesight for almost a year with no further degradation.

Individuals over the age of 40 years are covered for LASIK by their health plan based on their medical history and diagnostics as suggested by their doctor.

Wrapping Up

With the ascending number of people suffering from eyesight-related ailments, the need for LASIK eye surgery has increased. Health insurance companies now are increasingly including LASIK eye surgery after a certain waiting period and up to specified sub-limits as per policy schedule.

PolicyX answers your question 'Does Health Insurance Cover LASIK' through this article along with providing you with a list of LASIK health insurance. For any further clarification speak to our insurance experts.

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