Some types of laser refractive eye surgery are covered by Medicare but most are not. Excimer laser for corneal scarring and corneal cross-linking for keratoconus is partly covered by Medicare. Lens surgery is covered by most TOP hospital cover when also covered under Medicare (usually for cataracts).
Can I Claim LASIK Laser Eye Surgery on My Private Health Insurance?
The cost of laser eye surgery is a significant amount for the average household budget. As such, many people who visit Perth Laser Vision enquire whether part of the cost can be covered by their private health insurance.
Which health funds cover laser refractive eye surgery?
The good news is that several health funds are now covering part of laser eye surgery costs. This varies with each fund but makes the benefits of this procedure more accessible to patients who wish to stop being reliant on glasses or contact lenses.
BUPA:
Laser eye surgery is fully covered under BUPA’s Ultimate Gold hospital cover if their 3 year waiting period has been served.
Many of our patients have had this policy benefit. Dr McGeorge is a registered BUPA provider and accepts this payment as full cover.
BUPA also covers multifocal lens replacement surgery for cataracts and other eye surgery, if needed. Conditions apply.
Medibank Private:
Medibank Ultra GOLD Health Cover will pay $3,500 (lifetime limit) towards laser eye surgery which uses laser to correct refractive vision problems by reshaping the cornea (front of the eye) in order to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses. It requires a 36 month waiting period ( 3 years) for cover.
This can include LASIK, LASEK and PRK treatment. Benefits are only payable where no Medicare rebate is payable. There is a 3 year waiting period and it is a lifetime limit. SMILE laser is not covered.
GOLD and SILVER Plus Health cover will provide for multifocal lens replacement surgery for cataracts only. There is a twelve month waiting period.
AHM:
Australian Health Management partially covers laser eye surgery under their Lifestyle Extra Cover or Super Extras cover.
A contribution of $600 per eye per person is available Lifestyle Extra cover and $900 per person per eye for Super Extras cover.
Both these covers have a 2 year waiting period and a lifetime limit.
Defence Health:
Defence Health partially cover laser eye surgery under their Premier Extras cover. Once the 12 month wait period has been served they will pay up to $1,500 per person for LASIK/ PRK / SMILE every two financial years.
Surgery needs to be performed in a recognised day surgery centre.
Navy Health
Navy Health partially cover laser eye surgery under their Premium Extras Cover & Healthy Living Extras Cover once a 12 month waiting period has been served for new members.
$1,500 every 2 years for Premium Extras and $1,200 every 2 years for Health Living Extras.
HBF:
HBF no longer cover laser eye surgery since they removed their Ultimate Hospital cover in 1 January 2019.
Lens procedures for cataracts are covered by HBF Gold and Silver Plus packages, Working Visa Hospital Cover and Working Visa Hospital and Medical Cover.
Disclaimer: This health fund information is correct at the time of writing. It would be wise to contact your fund personally to check your cover.
Perth Laser Vision also provides finance for laser eye surgery which would be useful if your health fund does not provide cover. For more information please call us on 9218 7666.