Last updated 3 days ago
LASIK vision correction surgery can grant you the ability to see clearly without the eyeglasses or contact lenses. When you meet with an eye surgeon to discuss the procedure, ask about the costs. It might be tempting to choose a vision center that offers the lowest cost for LASIK procedures, but remember that quality is more important for your vision than cost. Instead, explore the following ways to finance your vision correction procedure:
Insurance Discount
Insurance companies do not typically offer coverage for LASIK procedures. However, some insurance companies may offer a discount for it. If you’re not sure whether your healthcare plan offers a discount, call the company or bring your insurance card to the eye surgeon’s office.
Flexible Spending Account
A flexible spending account (FSA) allows you to set aside some of your wages to cover medical expenses that aren’t covered by your insurance plan. FSAs are popular because they offer tax advantages. Talk to your employer about enrolling in an FSA, and use the money you divert into the account to cover your LASIK procedure.
Care Credit Card
Another option you could explore is the Care Credit card. Care Credit is much like any other credit card, except it is used solely for the purpose of healthcare procedures. You can use your Care Credit card to pay for procedures that your insurance policy doesn’t cover. The card offers a revolving line of credit and promotional periods of no-interest financing.
Installment Agreement
Talk to the staff at your eye surgeon’s office about installment agreements. Some vision correction centers may offer low monthly payments to cover the difference between the cost of the surgery and your FSA. You might choose to split the cost of the surgery among your FSA, Care Credit card, and an installment agreement.
Gerstein Eye Institute proudly accepts Care Credit cards and FSAs. Call our office today to learn about your financing options for LASIK eye surgery in Chicago. Schedule an appointment at (773) 649-5532 or visit us on the Web to learn more.
Last updated 6 days ago
Myopia is another name for nearsightedness, a condition in which a person has trouble seeing objects that are far away. Myopia is a refractive error, which means that the cornea is too curved to properly focus light rays. This condition is quite common, and can develop quickly or gradually. It is thought that myopia is linked to genetics, though it may also be associated with visual stress (i.e. staring at a computer screen for extended periods of time).
Fortunately, nearsightedness is correctable with a range of techniques. You might wear prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses, or you might consider LASIK vision correction surgery. Talk to an eye surgeon about having LASIK surgery to reshape the cornea and allow it to properly focus light rays. Another eye surgery option is an intraocular lens implant.
The eye surgeons of Gerstein Eye Institute in Chicago offers a wealth of expertise in LASIK surgeries and intraocular lens implants. Schedule your consultation for LASIK today by calling (773) 649-5532.
Last updated 19 days ago
ICLs – intraocular contact lenses – can be life-changing. Once these implanted contacts are in place, you can enjoy the same vision you experienced with your glasses or traditional contacts, only without any of the required maintenance. ICLs are one of our top procedures at Gerstein Eye Institute—but why should you choose the procedure for yourself?
At Gerstein Eye Institute, the patient always comes first. Dr. Gerstein takes the time to develop a personalized treatment plan for all of our patients, so you can rest assured that your ICL procedure will be just what you need. We will work to achieve the perfect ICL prescription for you, or steer you in the direction of an alternative treatment, if it would better meet your needs.
You don’t have to live your life behind inconvenient glasses or contacts. Trust your vision to Gerstein Eye Institute. Call us at (773) 649-5532 to make an appointment or visit our website for more information.
Last updated 26 days ago
You probably know that LASIK surgery can improve your vision, but did you know it could save you money on your taxes? It’s true – your LASIK surgery could get you better vision and a bigger tax refund. How does surgery turn into a tax write-off? Here is what you need to know:
Medical Expenses and Taxes
Most taxpayers are unaware of the fact that medical expenses are usually tax-deductible. To deduct your medical expenses, you need to use Form 1040 Schedule A to itemize your expenses. There are only two guidelines to keep in mind. You can only deduct medical expenses that were more than 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income (AGI). Also, you can’t deduct medical expenses that were paid for by money from a flexible savings account, since you already are reaping tax benefits on those funds.
Deductible LASIK Expenses
The cost of your actual LASIK surgery isn’t the only part eligible for deduction—other aspects of the procedure are, too. You can deduct the money you spent getting to and from your surgery venue—either the gas you spent in your own car or the cost of a bus or train ticket. If you had to travel for your LASIK care, you can also deduct the cost of lodging and food for the duration of your stay. If any of your dependents had LASIK, you can deduct the cost of their surgery and associated expenses, too.
Additional Medical Write-Offs
Your LASIK surgery may open the door to deducting all of your other medical expenses for the year. If the cost of the surgery pushed you over the threshold of spending more than 7.5 percent of your AGI on medical costs, then all of your health expenses for the year become deductible, from check-ups to medications.
Invest in the future of your vision with LASIK surgery at Gerstein Eye Institute. Our eye surgeons also perform ICL, custom cataract implants, and other procedures. Schedule your appointment by calling (773) 649-5532.
