Which health funds cover laser eye surgery? (2026)

People often ask whether private health insurance will “cover” laser eye surgery. The honest answer: sometimes a contribution is possible, and sometimes it isn’t. It depends on your policy, waiting periods, clinical coding and the procedure you have. EyeHub cannot promise a rebate from any fund.

This guide helps Sunshine Coast patients ask the right questions. It doesn’t list rebate tables or claim that every fund pays a set amount.

Medicare first: elective laser is different

Laser vision correction is elective. Medicare does not contribute to elective laser vision correction (LASIK, SMILE PRO, also known as SMILE, PRESBYOND, and similar refractive laser procedures).

Lens-based elective procedures such as refractive lens exchange (RLE) on a clear lens are also generally outside routine Medicare cataract funding. Cataract surgery for a clinically indicated cloudy lens follows different rules. That is a separate conversation with your ophthalmologist and fund.

Always treat blog content as general education, not a funding decision.

What “cover” usually means in practice

When people say a health fund “covers” laser eye surgery, they may mean one of several things:

• A partial rebate toward surgeon or hospital components under extras or hospital cover
• A benefit only when the procedure is coded in a particular way (for example certain lens or hospital settings)
• No benefit for purely elective refractive laser under their current tier

Funds change products regularly. A friend’s payout last year does not predict yours this year.

If your cover comes through an employer or a packaged product, ask your fund whether its refractive laser exclusions differ from your previous personal policy. Membership length and waiting periods matter too.

As our payment plans page says, in certain cases with the right plan, your health fund may contribute to the cost of procedures carried out by EyeHub. Please check and confirm with your health fund before committing to surgery.

Questions to ask your fund

1. Does my current policy include any benefit for laser vision correction / refractive laser?
2. What about implantable contact lenses (ICL) or refractive lens exchange (RLE) if those are recommended instead?
3. Are there waiting periods or exclusions for optical / refractive procedures?
4. Do I need a hospital admission for any part of the procedure, and what theatre or day-surgery benefits apply?
5. What item numbers or clinical descriptions do you need from the clinic to give a written estimate?
6. Will any benefit be paid to me or directly to the provider?

Bring the fund’s written answer to your EyeHub assessment. Our team can share the coding and quote context your fund asks for. We still cannot guarantee what they will pay.

EyeHub fees stay transparent either way

Regardless of insurance, EyeHub publishes its fees for common procedures:

Laser package inclusions (all pre- and post-operative assessments, post-operative drops, 12 months aftercare and lid serum)

*Includes surgeon, anaesthetic and hospital fees

*Includes surgeon, lens, anaesthetic and hospital fees

Assessment pathway (before you claim anything)

EyeHub uses one laser vision assessment pathway:

1. Free online video assessment
2. In-person assessment with a $100 deposit (redeemable against your surgery)

This applies to LASIK, SMILE PRO, PRESBYOND, RLE and ICL.

You will be assessed by the Laser Refractive Clinical team, led by a highly experienced Refractive Optometrist. If suitable to proceed, you will be offered surgery and have an additional discussion with Dr Moorthy.

If found unsuitable for laser, a separate consultation with Dr Moorthy will be advised. A consultation fee of $350 will apply.

Suitability comes first. There is no point claiming against a procedure you are not offered.

Payment if your fund contributes little or nothing

Many patients self-fund elective refractive care. EyeHub accepts card and bank transfer, and lists third-party options (MediPay, Afterpay, Zip Pay / Zip Money, TLC) on our payment plans page. We do not offer credit or finance ourselves and are not a credit provider under the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009 (Cth).

Clinics

• Buderim: Unit 1, Building A, 23 Elsa Wilson Dr, Buderim QLD 4556
• Noosaville: 197 Weyba Road, Noosaville QLD 4566

FAQs

Can you tell me which funds pay the most?

No. That would be misleading. Check your own Product Disclosure Statement and request a written estimate from your fund.

Does private hospital cover automatically include LASIK?

Often not. Elective refractive laser is frequently excluded or limited. Ask your fund in writing.

Does it matter which fund I am with?

The same questions apply whichever fund you are with. Only your fund can confirm your benefit, so ask for its answer in writing.

Will EyeHub claim on my behalf?

Processes vary. Ask our laser vision coordinator what paperwork we can supply. Your agreement is still with your fund.

Next step

Confirm your fund position in writing, then book an EyeHub assessment or email laser@eyehub.net.au. You can also call our laser coordinators on 1800 EYEHUB. We will match clinical advice to a clear quote. Insurance remains between you and your fund.

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.