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Laser Eye Surgery Allowance

A laser eye surgery allowance is a vision care benefit included in some health insurance plans that provides reimbursement toward the cost of corrective laser procedures such as LASIK or PRK. These procedures permanently reshape the cornea to improve vision and reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses. Because laser eye surgery is considered elective and not medically necessary, it is not covered by provincial health insurance plans, making this allowance a valuable feature in private coverage.

How It Works

The allowance is typically offered as a fixed dollar amount, structured either as a lifetime maximum or a one-time benefit, sometimes folded into the broader vision care benefit and sometimes listed on its own. Because corrective laser procedures like PRK are not covered under provincial or territorial health care plans, consumers must pay themselves or use a private insurance plan. The federal Public Service Health Care Plan is one example of direct reimbursement, paying a percentage of the cost up to a lifetime maximum per plan participant, provided the surgery is performed by an ophthalmologist. Under that plan, cataract surgery and laser procedures that do not reshape the cornea to correct common vision problems are excluded from the laser eye surgery benefit. To qualify for reimbursement, the procedure must be performed by a licensed ophthalmologist or approved laser clinic, and claimants should keep detailed receipts and medical documentation. The Canada Revenue Agency considers corrective laser eye surgery to generally qualify as an eligible medical expense for purposes of the medical expense tax credit.

Example:

Consider a plan member covered under the federal Public Service Health Care Plan who books LASIK with an ophthalmologist. Because the surgery reshapes the cornea to correct vision, it qualifies under the plan's laser eye surgery benefit, which reimburses a percentage of the cost up to a lifetime maximum per participant. The member keeps the receipts, submits a claim, and the insurer pays the eligible portion while the member covers the remainder. Cataract surgery would not be eligible under this same benefit.

What to Watch For:

Whether laser correction is treated as a covered allowance or merely a provider discount varies by plan, since some Canadian vision plans only offer discounts on laser vision correction rather than direct reimbursement. Check whether the benefit sits within the vision care benefit or is listed separately, and confirm whether it is structured as a lifetime maximum or a one-time benefit. Watch for exclusions: procedures that do not reshape the cornea to correct common vision problems, such as cataract surgery, may not qualify. Keep detailed receipts and medical documentation, and make sure the procedure is performed by a licensed ophthalmologist or approved laser clinic, since that is required to qualify for reimbursement.

Related Terms

Provider

A provider is a licensed healthcare professional, facility, or service organization that delivers medical, dental, vision, or paramedical care to patients. In the context of insurance, a provider is any individual or entity authorized to perform covered services and submit claims for reimbursement to an insurer. Providers include physicians, dentists, pharmacists, physiotherapists, chiropractors, optometrists, hospitals, and clinics.

Benefit Period (Vision)

The benefit period for vision refers to how often your vision care coverage renews and allows you to make new claims for eligible expenses such as glasses, contact lenses, or eye exams. Unlike other benefits that reset each year, vision care often renews every two benefit periods, which can mean every 24 consecutive months rather than every calendar year.

Health Insurance

Health insurance is a type of coverage that helps pay for medical and healthcare expenses not fully covered by Canada’s public health system. It protects individuals and families from the high cost of prescription drugs, medical services, and treatments that fall outside provincial or territorial government health plans. Health insurance can be obtained through an employer’s group benefits plan or purchased individually from a private insurer.

Extended Health Care Insurance

Extended health care insurance (EHC) is supplemental coverage that helps pay for medical expenses not covered by your provincial or territorial health plan. It protects you from out-of-pocket costs associated with services such as prescription drugs, vision care, medical equipment, hospital upgrades, emergency travel medical care, and paramedical services like physiotherapy or chiropractic treatments.

Treatment

Treatment refers to any medical, dental, or therapeutic care provided by a licensed healthcare professional to diagnose, manage, or improve a health condition, injury, or disease. In the context of insurance, treatment includes all services, procedures, medications, and interventions that are deemed medically necessary to restore or maintain health. It can range from routine doctor visits and prescription drug use to surgery, rehabilitation, and specialized therapies.

Relevant Plans

Plans that relate to Laser Eye Surgery Allowance

Alberta Blue Cross - Blue Assured - Basic

Alberta Blue Cross - Blue Assured - Basic

Can apply at anytime, at any age.

Alberta Blue Cross - Blue Assured - Enhanced

Alberta Blue Cross - Blue Assured - Enhanced

Can apply at anytime, at any age.

Alberta Blue Cross - Blue Assured - Enhanced+

Alberta Blue Cross - Blue Assured - Enhanced+

Can apply at anytime, at any age.

Alberta Blue Cross - Blue Assured - Premium

Alberta Blue Cross - Blue Assured - Premium

Can apply at anytime, at any age.

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