Financing Laser Vision Correction Surgery
Options and Insurance
Austin, Texas

For your convenience we offer a variety of financing options to help make laser vision correction surgery affordable and manageable. Please contact us for any additional information you might need.

Unicorn Financial:

Click Here to apply for financing.

Payment in Full:
For your convenience, we accept Visa, Master Card, American Express and Discover, as well as cash and checks for in-house payments.

Check Management:
This interest free program requires $2,000.00 down at the time of the procedure and has an administrative fee of $50.00. The balance of your vision correction procedure is automatically withdrawn from your checking account $100.00 per month. No Interest!

Click here to download our Check Management Form

Insurance:
Laser Vision Correction is not a covered benefit under most insurance plans available in the Austin, Texas area. We would be happy to verify your benefits. Our insurance staff will assist you in filing your claim if refractive surgery is a covered procedure under your plan. Below is a list of the insurance providers that we work with:

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA’s):
FSA’s allow an employee to set-aside pre-tax dollars out of every paycheck to be used for medical expenses and/or procedures. Patients can literally save hundreds of dollars using an FSA plan to pay for an elective procedure such as LASIK because these programs use pre-tax dollars. We can assist you with the payment process if you are using your FSA to pay for your procedure. Look below for more information on this option as well as Frequently Asked Questions.


Medicare:
Dr. Howerton is a Medicare provider and accepts Medicare assignment. Your signature, obtained during your visit, will allow us to file your Medicare and/or secondary insurance in a way that is simple and worry free for you.

Medicare pays 80% of the approved Medicare fee. You are responsible for the remaining 20% along with the annual Medicare deductible. If you have a Secondary insurance, we will file the remaining 20% to the appropriate carrier. However, if your secondary insurance is not a Medicare supplemental policy you will be responsible for the balance. These guidelines only apply to Medicare approved procedures.

If you have both Medicare and Medicaid, your physican charge and facility charge will be covered completely and you will not be billed for a balance.

If you do not have a supplemental insurance, we are required by Medicare to bill you for the remaining 20% that Medicare allows but does not pay. If you have a financial hardship we will work with you so that your charges will not be a burden. We will never deny care to anyone because of an inability to pay.

For additional questions regarding financing,
please contact Shawn or Isabel at (512) 443-9715.

Flexible Spending Accounts

What is a Flexible Spending Account (FSA)?
Essentially, FSA’s allow an employee to set-aside pre-tax dollars out of every paycheck to be used for medical expenses and/or procedures. Because these programs use pre-tax dollars, using an FSA plan to pay for an elective procedure such as LASIK, patients can save literally hundreds of dollars.

FSA’s are also referred to as Flex-125, a Tax Savings Plan, Medical Spending Account, Section 125, or Cafeteria plan.

How do employees sign up for a Flexible Spending Account?
During a period known as open enrollment, employees can sign up to participate in their company’s FSA plan for the upcoming year. Each month a specified amount will be deducted from the employee’s paycheck and deposited in a special account to be used for medical procedures that insurance does not cover.

When can the employee use the money in a Flexible Spending Account?
Most employers allow employees to withdraw money before the dollar amount has accrued in the employee’s account.

Frequently Asked Questions About FSA’s

Q. How do I know if I have a Flexible Spending Account?
Check with your human resources manager. Be sure to ask about maximum contributions and open enrollment dates.

Q. How do I pay for LASIK if I am using a Flexible Spending Account?
Working with your flex plan is easy. Contact your HR dept and get your plan effective date and the amount available. Further assistance will be provided at your dilated exam or call us for details.

Q. How long does it take to get reimbursed?
Most FSA management companies can process checks within 2-3 business days. Check with your human resources manager for details on your plan.

Q. Are there any additional costs to me for using a Flexible Spending Account?
No, Flexible Spending Accounts are voluntary benefits employers offer employees.

The time to plan for your FSA is right now!

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) are one of the most versatile yet underutilized benefits offered to employees. Now is the time to start planning to use this benefit.

Below is an example of how a flexible spending program can help employees give themselves a discount off of LASIK.

Save up to 30% - here’s how!!

For a person with a $36,000 Annual Salary Without FSA With FSA Gross Monthly Salary $3,000.00 $3,000.00 Monthly Contribution to FSA ($3000 for LASIK) $0.00 ($250.00) Adjusted Taxable Salary $3,000.00 $2,750.00 Federal Income Tax $840.00 $770.00 Net Income $2,160.00 $1,980.00 Net Cost of Procedure $3,000.00 $2,160.00

If you would like to learn more about using your Flexible Spending Account for LASIK, please call for a free consultation.

Howerton Eye Center (512) 444-0701

Before making your Flexible Spending Account election, you should schedule a free consultation to ensure that you are a LASIK candidate and to determine how much you will need to contribute to your account for LASIK.