LASIK eye surgery has the potential to instantly and permanently improve your vision. With an upfront investment, you can end your vision problems and avoid having to buy contact lenses ever again. That said, the surgery does cost some money up front, and insurance doesn’t always cover it.
So how can you afford LASIK eye surgery?
How LASIK Can Pay for Itself
First, it’s important to understand that LASIK eye surgery is something that can pay for itself. Obviously, the finer details of this equation are something that you’ll have to work out for yourself because the variables are going to be different for each individual. That said, LASIK eye surgery is a one-time expense that can instantly and permanently improve your vision. In exchange, you’ll never have to pay for new glasses or contact lenses ever again.
Assuming you’re going to live for several more years, this typically means that eventually, this eye procedure will yield more benefits than it costs you in expenses. Accordingly, assuming you’re a good candidate for this procedure, you should work to find some kind of way to afford it.
Find the Right Specialist
It’s important that you make the effort to find the right LASIK specialist for your needs. There are many qualified LASIK eye surgeons out there, each of which has access to different tools and technologies, and each of which is going to charge a different amount for their services. You need to do your due diligence and find a qualified candidate who is going to provide you with excellent LASIK eye surgery – as well as someone within your budget. By shopping around, you’ll likely be able to find a candidate who can perform your surgery successfully without charging you an arm and a leg to do it.
Work With Your Provider
Once you find the right provider, consider reaching out to them to see if you can work out a deal to make the LASIK eye surgery procedure more affordable.
- Insurance possibilities. LASIK eye surgery isn’t something that’s covered by all types of health insurance or eye insurance. In most situations, it’s considered a voluntary or optional procedure. That said, you should still review your policies to see if there’s any coverage available.
- Discounts and incentives. Some providers are willing to extend discounts or other incentives if you meet certain criteria or as a simple promotion. Make sure you inquire about potential discounts and incentives before you commit to anyone.
- Payment plans. Depending on where and how you pursue the procedure, you may be able to tap into some kind of payment plan. In this arrangement, you might be responsible for an upfront commitment, or you may not need any down payment at all. After that, you’ll be responsible for paying for your procedure in recurring installments until your balance is paid.
If you’re struggling to find a source for LASIK eye surgery within your budget, you’ll need to take additional measures to afford the procedure.
Reduce Your Expenses
One simple strategy is to work on reducing your expenses so you can more easily save up the required funds. These are some of the most promising areas to cut:
- Home expenses. Your home is likely your biggest expense, so it’s also your most prominent opportunity for making expense reductions. Downsizing or moving to a cheaper area of town can instantly help you save money.
- Groceries and food. If you’re looking for something that requires less of a commitment, consider reassessing your approach to acquiring food. Shopping at discount grocery stores and cooking at home can help you save a lot of money.
- Transportation. You can also save money on transportation by riding a bike, taking public transit, or walking when you can.
- Entertainment and extras. Do you really need all those entertainment subscriptions? Do you really need to go out for drinks multiple times a week? These are typically easy places to make cuts.
Augment Your Income
You can also augment your income to increase your savings even further.
- Extra hours. You may be able to pick up extra hours at your current job to make some extra money to pay for the procedure.
- A second job. If you have the bandwidth for it, you may even be able to pick up a second job.
- Side gigs. Failing that, side gigs and odd jobs can help you temporarily increase your earnings, so you can save up enough money for the procedure.
LASIK surgery is incredibly valuable for most people who undergo the procedure. In fact, it can usually pay for itself in the long run. However, you may need to invest more time and energy into your due diligence if you want to find the right fit for the right price.
