Can you tell me the price range before I book a consultation, and whether my insurance will cover most of it? I don't want to waste your time or mine coming in and then finding out I can't afford it.
A: Fair question, and I’d rather you know this upfront.
Medical insurance classifies LASIK and LASEK as cosmetic procedures, so no insurance plan will ever cover the surgery itself. The one exception: if you have a $0 remaining deductible, we can bill your insurance for the office visit/eye exam portion, which typically nets a few hundred dollars, and we’ll apply that toward your total as a courtesy.
As for cost, LASEK typically runs $4,000 to $8,000, depending on your prescription. If you have a credit score above 500, financing is available for as little as $30 a month.
Here’s how I’d think about the cost. Most people don’t realize how much they’re already spending to see clearly:
- A new pair of glasses every 2 years runs about $720, or $30/month
- Daily disposable contacts run about $60/month
- Other contact lens types, once you factor in solutions and eye exams, run about $30/month
If you’re using both glasses and contacts, you’re likely spending $60 to $90 every month for the rest of your life without ever “finishing” the purchase. LASEK lets you put that same money toward buying permanently good vision instead of renting it month after month, so in most cases, you’re not spending more than you already are. You’re just spending it differently.
— Dr. Chynn
