Two Ways to Make Lasik More Affordable
Published by on October 28, 2014
In the fourth quarter of each year you have an opportunity make LASIK more affordable. If you have been considering LASIK surgery, pay attention. If your employer offers a flexible spending account (FSA) you can save money on laser vision correction, but you have to take action. A FSA account can be used to pay for many out of pocket medical costs not covered by your insurance. This includes laser vision correction!
FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT
A flexible spending account is an account you set up through your employer
The money is set aside before taxes are deducted
The limit you can deposit is $2500 annually
Each pay period an equal installment is taken from your gross salary
This money can be used for many things including copayments, daycare and some drugs
Whatever money you do not spend within your insurance plan year you will lose
If you are thinking about having LASIK soon, you can set up your account for 2015 and schedule your surgery for this January or February. Even though you have not contributed all the money into your account at that point, you still have the option to use it all immediately. Conversely, remember that if you have funds available for 2014, you must use that money or it will be forfeited. Having LASIK in either 2014 or 2015 will save you up to 30% on your federal taxes. We recommend that you check with your HR director for any other limitations. Some companies offer grace periods for utilizing the funds.
HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT
The second way you can make LASIK more affordable is by utilizing a Health Savings Account.
If you have a high deductible health care plan, you can make pre-tax contributions into this account. Originally created in 2003, with a HSA you do not have to spend the funds within a specific time period and it can grow over the years making it a valuable financial tool.
Once you understand the facts and determine that you want to use either your flexible spending account or Health Savings Account for LASIK, there is still one more thing to consider. Be sure to find out if you are a candidate for LASIK before you designate that money for 2015. Schedule your LASIK evaluation with Dr. Kugler now. You can make LASIK more affordable by taking action. Reduce your tax burden and enjoy the benefits of a lens free lifestyle.
Lance Kugler, MD, is a specialist in LASIK and vision correction surgery and CEO of Kugler Vision. A proud Omaha native, he is passionate about improving lives through clear vision. Dr. Kugler serves on several national boards, and his practice is recognized internationally as a center of excellence. Dr. Kugler is one of the original founders of the Refractive Surgery Alliance, an international organization comprised of over 350 of the world’s leading vision correction surgeons; he also served as its first president. In 2019, Dr. Kugler was selected as a TEDx speaker, and delivered a talk in Omaha about the worldwide epidemic of nearsightedness and refractive solutions. Dr. Kugler is an Associate Professor of Refractive Surgery at the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Truhlsen Eye Institute, has been published in many medical journals, and participates in numerous clinical studies to advance the field of vision correction surgery. Additionally, Dr. Kugler is proud to be a Board Certified Fellow of the World College of Refractive Surgery & Visual Sciences. Dr. Kugler and his wife are proud parents to five active kids. When he has a spare moment, he enjoys skiing, tennis, travel, and fine coffee.
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