Can I use my HSA for eye surgery?
Asked by: Loyal Medhurst | Last update: April 11, 2025Score: 4.4/5 (74 votes)
Are vision expenses covered by HSA?
Health savings accounts (HSAs) and flexible spending accounts (FSAs) provide tax advantages that can help you pay for common vision and eye care costs your insurance may not cover. Eligible vision expenses include eye exams, prescription glasses, and contact lenses.
Can an HSA be used for surgery?
HSA funds can generally be used for all medical expenses, including elective surgery. I'd tell her to call her provider first, but it shouldn't be a problem.
Is LASIK eye surgery a qualified medical expense?
As LASIK is a treatment to correct defective vision, it is a medical expense which can be deducted from a patient's taxes.
Is LASIK surgery FSA eligible?
Under IRS guidelines, vision correction procedures (including LASIK eye surgery) are an eligible FSA expense. This tax-free Flexible Spending money can be used for eligible medical expenses such as LASIK, thereby reducing your out-of-pocket costs by thousands of dollars.
The Benefits of Applying FSA and HSA Funds to LASIK
Can you use HSA for eye surgery?
You can use an HSA for LASIK and other laser vision correction procedures. Like the FSA, the IRS sets limits on what procedures can be covered by an HSA. Laser vision correction procedures including LASIK, SMILE, and PRK are eligible expenses.
How long does LASIK last?
While the effects of LASIK surgery are permanent, the benefits can decrease over time. For most patients, the results of this surgery will last a lifetime. About 10-12% of patients nationwide will need enhancement surgery because of anatomical changes to the eye/eyes.
How will insurance cover LASIK?
Most insurance plans don't cover the cost of Lasik eye surgery. But there are a few rare exceptions where some insurance plans might consider a Lasik procedure to be medically necessary, not elective.
How much does LASIK cost with medical?
The average cost of Lasik eye surgery is $2,632 per eye. When paying full price, rates typically range from $1,000 to $3,000 per eye. A discount from your health insurance company can often save you about $715 per eye, and a vision insurance discount averages a savings of $948 per eye.
Is eye surgery covered by medical or vision insurance?
Generally, medically necessary eye surgeries, such as those performed to treat cataracts, glaucoma, or retinal detachments, are often covered by health insurance. However, elective procedures like LASIK or cosmetic surgeries may not be covered.
What can HSA not pay for?
Generally, you can't use your HSA to pay for expenses that don't meaningfully promote the proper function of the body or prevent or treat illness or disease. Nutritional supplements and weight loss programs not prescribed by a physician are examples of expenses that would not be covered by your HSA.
Can I use my HSA for gym membership?
Gym memberships. While some companies and private insurers may offer discounts on gym memberships, you generally can't use your FSA or HSA account to pay for gym or health club memberships. An exception to that rule would be if your doctor deems fitness medically necessary for your recovery or treatment.
Is the Apple Watch HSA eligible?
Why other fitness trackers don't qualify. Even though Fitbits and Apple Watches measure important health data, they currently do not qualify for HSA reimbursement, as they are considered for general health use and not intended to treat or manage a specific medical condition.
Can I use HSA for dental?
Your HSA also covers expenses for standard dental cleanings and dental check-ups. One thing to keep in mind is that some of these procedures may have a co-payment, so it's important that you check with your dental insurance provider to find out exactly what you'll have to pay out of pocket.
Are tampons HSA-eligible?
With the passage of the CARES Act in March 2020, tampons and other menstrual care products are now fully FSA-/HSA-eligible. According to the text of the bill, menstrual care products include, “tampon, pad, liner, cup, sponge, or similar product used by individuals with respect to menstruation…”
Does vision count as medical expense?
You can also deduct certain unreimbursed vision expenses as itemized deductions like: Eye exams. Eye surgeries (radial keratotomy, LASIK) Prescription eyeglasses (including contact lenses and sunglasses)
Can you use HSA for LASIK?
“Can I use HSA for LASIK?” We hear this question a lot. Whether you have a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA), the answer is: yes, you can! LASIK is considered an eligible expense, allowing you to utilize your pre-tax dollars to cover the costs of this vision correction procedure.
How to get free LASIK?
Many disreputable operations will advertise free LASIK, and it's essentially a scam. As the saying goes, nothing in life is free. For your vision's safety, it is better to find methods like flexible spending accounts (FSAs), health savings accounts (HSAs), or other health insurance benefits to reduce the cost.
Does Blue Cross Blue Shield cover lasik surgery?
To sum up, the Blue Cross Blue Shield plans' coverage for LASIK eye surgery differs based on the particular insurance policy, the policyholder's region, and their plan type. While some BCBS plans might provide LASIK patients discounts or partial coverage, others would not.
Why won't insurance cover LASIK?
Most health insurance providers don't cover LASIK because laser vision correction is an elective procedure, not a medical necessity.
Is LASIK painful?
LASIK eye surgery offers a nearly pain-free experience for most individuals, thanks to anesthetic eye drops, advanced laser technology, and minimally invasive techniques.
Are you awake during LASIK?
Short Answer: Yes. The vast majority of patients are awake during LASIK and other forms of laser eye surgeries. General anaesthesia, which induces sleep, is not used in these procedures. Instead, patients are typically given numbing eye drops and may be offered a mild sedative to help them remain calm.
What is the best age to get LASIK?
LASIK: 25-40
Generally speaking, most LASIK eye surgeons agree on 25-40 as the ideal age range for LASIK eye surgery candidacy for a few reasons. By the age of 25, eyeglasses and contact lens prescriptions have most likely stabilized. A stable prescription is one of the hallmarks of a good LASIK candidate.
Who should not have laser eye surgery?
Patients with autoimmune diseases are not good candidates for laser eye surgery. Many autoimmune conditions cause dry eye syndrome. A dry eye may not heal well and has a higher risk of post-surgery infection. Other conditions such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, glaucoma or cataracts often affect results.
Does LASIK give you 20/20 vision?
LASIK is a type of refractive eye surgery. In general, most people who have laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) eye surgery achieve 20/20 vision or better, which works well for most activities. But most people still eventually need glasses for driving at night or reading as they get older.