Laser Eye Surgery Allowance

A laser eye surgery allowance is a vision care benefit included in some health insurance plans that provides reimbursement toward the cost of corrective laser procedures such as LASIK or PRK. These procedures permanently reshape the cornea to improve vision and reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses. Because laser eye surgery is considered elective and not medically necessary, it is not covered by provincial health insurance plans, making this allowance a valuable feature in private coverage.

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The allowance is typically offered as a fixed dollar amount, either as a lifetime maximum or a one-time benefit. Some plans include it as part of the vision care benefit, while others list it separately. The reimbursement can help offset part of the total procedure cost, which usually ranges from $2,000 to $5,000 per eye, depending on the clinic and technology used.

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Example:

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If your plan includes a $1,000 lifetime laser eye surgery allowance and your procedure costs $4,000, your insurer reimburses $1,000 and you pay the remaining $3,000.

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What to Watch For:

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Confirm whether your plan lists the laser eye surgery allowance under the vision benefit or as a separate category. Check whether it applies per person or per lifetime, as many insurers limit reimbursement to one claim only. Keep detailed receipts and medical documentation, since the procedure must be performed by a licensed ophthalmologist or approved laser clinic to qualify for reimbursement.