Your Health Savings Account (HSA) is a type of savings account that lets you set aside money on a pre-tax basis to pay for qualified medical expenses including paying for LASIK with your HSA. Your employer works with a trustee such as an insurance company, bank, or another broker to establish the details for your specific HSA. However, not all charges automatically qualify as HSA-approved expenses.
Even though most insurance companies consider LASIK an elective surgery, it still qualifies as an HSA expense. The first step to paying for LASIK using your HSA is speaking to your employer about the details of your HSA and the requirements it carries. For most HSA’s, a contribution of up to $3,600 for self-only coverage and, $7,200 for family coverage, is allowed each year. Not everyone is automatically eligible for an HSA though. You can only contribute to an HSA if you have a High Deductible Health Plan.
Assuming you have a High Deductible Health Plan and are therefore eligible for an HSA, good news—you can use those funds to pay for your LASIK procedure! Therefore, you should make an appointment with a licensed Ophthalmologist who can provide a full eye examination and get you scheduled for the procedure.
Once you have decided to move forward with the LASIK surgery, you will need to plan your HSA contributions accordingly. Fortunately, HSA funds roll over year to year so if you do not spend them this year, you should be able to use those funds on a procedure next year. This is good to know, but not necessarily a reason to put the surgery off any longer. Why would you want to wait when you can have your vision corrected now?
At the same time, in terms of your HSA, there is no pressure to have the procedure immediately. You can schedule the surgery for next year and have peace of mind knowing you are able to use funds from the current year. Your HSA funds also follow you if you happen to change employers in the middle of the year.
It may take time to set up an HSA and make the necessary contributions to cover a LASIK procedure so if you are unsure whether or not you have adequate coverage, make an appointment with your employer. Then you can contact a board certified Ophthalmologist such as Dr. Billy Haguewood from Palmetto Eye & Laser Center. Call (854) 583-6381 to schedule an appointment or use the online contact form.
