Lasik procedure from start to finish
Have you ever considered Lasik surgery but don’t know where to start? Follow an average employee, Joe, through the decision-making process.
Joe lives in Columbus and is covered on the Anthem Blue View Vision plan. He also has a Consumer Driven Health plan and a Health Savings Account (HSA) with a balance of $1,821.
After calling the Benefits Hotline, he learns that Blue View Vision members can get discounts on Lasik surgery (for discounts visit www.anthem.com/specialoffers) and he can use the money from his HSA to pay for the surgery. Still unsure whether or not Lasik is right for him, he visits www.anthem.com/eyehealth and watches a reference video that explains the procedure.
Once deciding that he would like to have the procedure done, he finds a provider in his area to get an idea of how much the procedure costs (to locate a provider login to www.anthem.com.)
Joe’s choices:
- Have the procedure now and use money from his HSA to help cover the cost.
- Wait and increase the amount that he contributes to his HSA to have even more pre-tax money to cover the expense.
- Wait until Open Enrollment and enroll in a Limited Purpose Medical Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) in 2013. This will allow him to set aside pre-tax dollars to be front-loaded and available on 1/1/2013. A Limited Purpose FSA is for employees who also participate in a HSA. The funds in a Limited Purpose FSA can be used for dental, vision and post-deductible medical expenses.
He decides to increase his HSA contribution and contacts the Benefits Hotline. He schedules his surgery for October.
If you have any questions regarding Lasik surgery or any other benefit questions, contact the Benefits Hotline at 317-232-1167 (within Indianapolis) or 877-248-0007.
