Does HSA cover LASIK eye surgery?
LASIK and other laser vision-correction surgery is a qualified HSA expense — the IRS specifically lists eye surgery to correct vision as deductible medical care.
What flips the answer
- Covered when
It's LASIK, PRK, SMILE, or another laser surgery to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism.
- Covered when
You're paying for the related consultation and post-op follow-up visits tied to the vision-correction surgery.
- Not covered when
The procedure is purely cosmetic eye work (e.g., cosmetic iris-color surgery) rather than vision correction.
IRS Publication 502 lists eye surgery — including laser procedures to correct vision such as LASIK and radial keratotomy — as a qualified medical expense. You can pay for it with HSA funds tax-free.
Because LASIK corrects a physical defect (nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism), it isn't treated as cosmetic, even though it's elective. Related costs like the pre-surgery consultation and follow-up visits are qualified too.
Practically, LASIK is a common reason people front-load an HSA: the full out-of-pocket cost can be paid with pre-tax dollars, and unlike an FSA there's no use-it-or-lose-it deadline if you'd rather save up.
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