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Discount Eye Surgery: Shopping for the Best Price?
A recent visitor to our WebMD Eye and Vision Disorders Member Board wanted to know more about discount pricing for eye surgery, specifically laser refractive surgery.
Is there any real difference between a $399 operation and the $2199 procedure?
Several points deserve careful consideration. First, why would you want 'discount surgery' anyway? You will need to live with the outcome for a very long time. Simply stated, you want the very best possible results.
Next, the price for voluntary surgery (elective surgery) is not controlled by insurance companies or Medicare. Competitive forces within your local health care marketplace will determine what is reasonable. Beware! $399 surgery is often a teaser price, so look for lots of fine print. Patients who meet the eligibility requirements for $399 LASIK (very low myopia without astigmatism) probably don't need surgery.
Sure enough, you usually get what you pay for. Lowball prices often exclude services we typically expect as part of the package. Surprise! I had a similar experience when I recently bought my brand new Honda Element, that boxy-looking SUV. Guess what? The dealer charged me $140 for a driver's seat armrest. Suddenly the armrest is an after-market option. An armrest?
I say forget about comparison pricing and devote your time researching surgeons instead. Look for two specific things: word-of-mouth endorsements from satisfied patients and verified credentials that confirm the surgeon's expertise. You will forget about price shortly after the operation so long as you are satisfied with the results.
Related Links: Vision Fact or Fiction: Quiz, Squint at Computer Screen: Eye Risk?
Technorati Tags: LASIK, eye surgery, laser refractive surgery, comparison pricing
Is there any real difference between a $399 operation and the $2199 procedure?
Several points deserve careful consideration. First, why would you want 'discount surgery' anyway? You will need to live with the outcome for a very long time. Simply stated, you want the very best possible results.
Next, the price for voluntary surgery (elective surgery) is not controlled by insurance companies or Medicare. Competitive forces within your local health care marketplace will determine what is reasonable. Beware! $399 surgery is often a teaser price, so look for lots of fine print. Patients who meet the eligibility requirements for $399 LASIK (very low myopia without astigmatism) probably don't need surgery.
Sure enough, you usually get what you pay for. Lowball prices often exclude services we typically expect as part of the package. Surprise! I had a similar experience when I recently bought my brand new Honda Element, that boxy-looking SUV. Guess what? The dealer charged me $140 for a driver's seat armrest. Suddenly the armrest is an after-market option. An armrest?
I say forget about comparison pricing and devote your time researching surgeons instead. Look for two specific things: word-of-mouth endorsements from satisfied patients and verified credentials that confirm the surgeon's expertise. You will forget about price shortly after the operation so long as you are satisfied with the results.
Related Links: Vision Fact or Fiction: Quiz, Squint at Computer Screen: Eye Risk?
Technorati Tags: LASIK, eye surgery, laser refractive surgery, comparison pricing
