Does Health Insurance Provide Coverage for LASIK Eye Surgery?

What is LASIK Eye Surgery?

LASIK stands for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis. It is an eye surgery performed to correct vision problems. This laser surgery can treat medical conditions of the eyes, such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. It is considered one of the most complicated and intricate surgeries solely because of its complex procedure.

The initial step includes testing and evaluation of the patient’s condition and medical history. The information on ongoing medications and existing medical conditions help the doctor to determine whether the patient is eligible/fit for the LASIK surgery or not. Once the doctor confirms the eligibility, the patient would require a good amount of savings or a mediclaim policy to pay for the surgery cost.

Health Insurance Plans That Cover LASIK Eye Surgery

Health Insurance Plans	Parameters	Network Hospitals
Aditya Birla Activ Health Insurance Plan	Covered if refractive error =>7.5 dioptres	10051+
Bajaj Allianz Health Infinity Insurance Plan	Covered if refractive error =>7.5 dioptres	7600+
Bharti AXA Smart Super Health Insurance Plan	Covered if refractive error =>7.5 dioptres	6500+
Care Health Insurance Plan	Covered if refractive error =>7.5 dioptres	19000+
Cholamandalam Healthline Insurance Plan	Covered if refractive error =>7.5 dioptres	10000+
Digit Health Plus Plan	Covered if refractive error =>7.5 dioptres	6400+
Edelweiss Health Insurance Plan	Covered if refractive error =>7.5 dioptres	3200+
Future Generali Health Suraksha Plan	Covered if refractive error =>7.5 dioptres	6300+
IFFCO Tokio Family Health Protector Plan	Covered if refractive error =>7.5 dioptres	7500+
Kotak Mahindra Health Care Insurance Plan	Covered if refractive error =>7.5 dioptres	5000+
Liberty Secure Health Connect Plan	Covered if refractive error =>7.5 dioptres	5800
Magma HDI OneHealth Insurance Plan	Covered if refractive error =>7.5 dioptres	7200+
ManipalCigna ProHealth Insurance Plan	Covered if refractive error =>7.5 dioptres	6500+
National Mediclaim Plan	Covered if refractive error =>7.5 dioptres	6000+
New India Mediclaim Plan	Covered if refractive error =>7.5 dioptres	3000+
Niva Bupa Health Companion Plan	Covered if refractive error =>7.5 dioptres	8600+
Oriental Happy Family Floater Plan	Covered if refractive error =>7.5 dioptres	4300+
Raheja Health QuBE Insurance Plan	Covered if refractive error =>7.5 dioptres	5000+
Reliance Health Wise Insurance Plan	Covered if refractive error =>7.5 dioptres	8000+
Royal Sundaram Lifeline Insurance Plan	Covered if refractive error =>7.5 dioptres	11800+
SBI Arogya Premier Plan	Covered if refractive error =>7.5 dioptres	6000+
Star Comprehensive Insurance Plan	Covered if refractive error =>7.5 dioptres	12000+
Tata AIG MediCare Plan	Covered if refractive error =>7.5 dioptres	7200+
United India Individual Health Insurance Plan	Covered if refractive error =>7.5 dioptres	7000+
Universal Sompo Complete Healthcare Insurance Plan	Covered if refractive error =>7.5 dioptres	4700+

*Disclaimer: Policybazaar does not endorse, rate or recommend any particular insurer or insurance product offered by an insurer.

How Does a Basic Health Insurance Plan Help in LASIK Surgery?

Health expenses are very high in India. In case of a medical emergency, having a mediclaim policy can help an individual to pay his medical bills without losing all the savings., This is especially helpful for people who are the sole breadwinner of a family.

A health insurance plan can provide financial aid in a health emergency or to meet the expenses related to medical surgery or treatment like the LASIK eye surgery. Besides, insurance companies also provide cashless hospitalization facilities at network hospitals where the medical bill is settled directly by them. The good news is all health insurance companies offer coverage for LASIK eye surgery.

Getting a basic health insurance plan for LASIK eye surgery was challenging a few years back because many insurance providers consider it cosmetic surgery. However, IRDAI has notified that LASIK eye surgery will be covered under all basic health plans only if the patient’s refractive error is equal to or more than 7.5 dioptres.

However, it is advisable to go through your health insurance policy document and check for the coverage conditions for LASIK eye surgery before you raise a claim.

Inclusions Under Mediclaim Policy for LASIK Eye Surgery

Take a look at a few conditions under which the coverage for LASIK eye surgery may be provided:

Eye surgery is required because of a refractive error caused due to an injury or an accident.
Eye surgery is required for a refractive error caused due to another surgery.
Eye surgery is required for a refractive error of equal to or more than 7.5 dioptres.
Eye surgery is required because the person is unable to wear glasses due to physical deformity or constant ache.
Eye surgery is required because the person is unable to use contact lenses due to any physical limitation or lack of tolerance for contact lenses.

Note: It is advisable to check with the terms and conditions of your insurance policy for better clarity around parameters of severity for LASIK eye surgery coverage.

When is the Best Time to Get a LASIK Eye Surgery?

The age of 18-40 years is considered ideal for the laser treatment of the vision. Medical professionals suggest that it is best to undergo the surgery as soon as you complete wearing glasses for a year.

However, people above 40 years can also get a LASIK surgery done based on their health and visual needs. Also, with gradual changes in technology, the eligibility criteria for laser eye treatment may vary in future.

The Final Word

It is imperative to undergo laser eye surgery if it is an urgent requirement for the patient. Avoiding it wouldn't be a wise decision. But since it is possible to get a mediclaim policy for LASIK Eye surgery in India, go ahead and buy a policy. However, make sure to go through the terms and conditions of the policy document before buying a plan.