Can I Afford LASIK?
Cost is often the biggest concern of our patients. They want to make sure they can afford the procedure, even if they are on a budget.
The good news is that LASIK can be very affordable. Although LASIK is considered an elective procedure (and therefore not covered by insurance), Donelson Eye Associates works with a financing partner and can offer 12-month, no interest payment plans that can bring the cost of LASIK within an affordable range.
Often patients will call a couple of different LASIK practices just to find out how much each one charges for the procedure. The truth is that LASIK ranges from $2,000-$2,500 per eye according to an industry survey conducted the first quarter of 2010.
So why do you receive quotes that are either lower or higher than the industry standard? The answers to this question can be discovered when looking at some common traps that LASIK practices set-up for unsuspecting patients.
The first trap is that not all LASIK procedures are the same. Some surgeons are new to the industry and want to build the number of procedures they have performed. These surgeons may not be as skilled as other surgeons, such as Dr. Donelson who has been performing vision correction procedures since 1987. In fact, over 100 physicians and eye surgeons have referred themselves or their family members to the care of Dr. Donelson for their own vision correction.
Another trap that LASIK practices use is known as the technology trap. Not all LASIK surgeons use top of the line technology. Some surgeons prefer older technology so they can charge less for LASIK. The truth is that older technology can leave patients with unwanted side effects, such as seeing halos around objects and lights or even poor night vision. While any LASIK procedure has the risks of side effects, newer technology is developed to lower these risks and improve outcomes.
Your eyesight should not be taken for granted – not by you and especially not by any physician that you trust to work on your eyes. Dr. Donelson understands this and chooses to provide only state-of-the-art technology for his patients. He uses the IntraLase™ laser and the VISX® S4IR to keep the procedure blade-free for his patients. It is because of the advanced technology that Dr. Donelson has an enhancement rate of less than 1.8%. This means more than 98.2% of Dr. Donelson’s patients achieve their visual goals without needing an enhancement or touch-up to their vision.
The third trap is known as the “bait-and-switch trap” and is used most often when you hear or see advertisements for $299 LASIK (sometimes seen as $499 or $699). LASIK is advertised at this extremely low price to entice patients into the office. Once patients are there, the LASIK practice then “up-sells” you by offering necessary add-ons or tells you that you are not a candidate for LASIK at the low, low price that they advertised. Only 8% of patients are approved for LASIK at this price because they only need the slightest adjustment to their vision. 15% of these patients were unhappy with their LASIK results and had to seek enhancements elsewhere.
“Indeed, only 3 percent of LASIK procedures cost less than $1,000 per eye, and the average price is about $2,000.” Statement by Paul B. Ginsburg, PhD. before U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Health, 3/1/2006.
Donelson Eye Associates doesn’t believe in bargaining with your eyesight. We won’t play games with you. Once we know you are a candidate, we will provide you with the best technology in the industry as a standard of our commitment to you. One price will be quoted for the procedure that is best for you.
Through the use of our financing partner Care Credit, we can offer 0% interest with 12 month financing and bring the cost down to an affordable range for most everyone.
Another way to save on vision correction is through a Flex Spending Account. If your company offers these accounts, give us a call to find out how to use pre-tax dollars to pay for your LASIK.
Call today to see how affordable it is to get.
