Insurance, Cost & Financing
Which procedures insurance covers, which you pay for, what they cost, and how to spread the payments.
Insurance covers medically necessary eye surgery — cataract surgery with a standard lens, corneal transplantation, pterygium removal, and treatment of eye disease. It does not cover elective procedures: LASIK, PRK, refractive lens exchange, or premium lens implant upgrades. LASIK and PRK are $2,650 per eye, all-inclusive, with a free evaluation. Eye Care of East Bay accepts Medicare and most major medical plans, and offers CareCredit financing and HSA/FSA payment. We verify your benefits before scheduling so there are no surprises.
What insurance covers, and what it doesn't
Covered by insurance
Medically necessary — billed to Medicare or your plan, less your deductible and coinsurance.
- Cataract surgery with a standard monofocal lens
- DMEK and DSEK corneal transplants
- Full-thickness corneal transplant (PKP)
- Pterygium removal, when symptomatic or affecting vision
- YAG laser capsulotomy after cataract surgery
- Diagnosis and management of corneal disease, dry eye, glaucoma, and macular degeneration
- Medical eye examinations
Paid out of pocket
Elective — CareCredit financing and HSA/FSA funds accepted.
- LASIK and PRK — $2,650 per eye, all-inclusive
- Refractive lens exchange
- Premium lens implant upgrades during cataract surgery
- Routine eyeglass and contact lens examinations (VSP accepted)
Laser vision correction: $2,650 per eye
One price for LASIK or PRK, so nothing about the recommendation is financially motivated. It includes:
- A free candidacy evaluation — corneal topography and tomography, thickness measurement, tear-film testing, and a dilated refraction with Dr. Feiz
- The procedure, using the WaveLight FS200 and Alcon WaveLight Allegretto lasers
- Every follow-up visit for twelve months
- Any enhancement needed within twelve months
Not included: prescription eye drops filled at your pharmacy, typically $30–$80. Full cost breakdown →
Ways to pay
CareCredit
A healthcare credit card with promotional interest-free periods for qualified applicants, or longer fixed-payment plans. Application takes a few minutes with a decision on the spot — we can send you the link before your visit so it is settled in advance.
HSA and FSA
All of these procedures are eligible expenses. Paying with pre-tax dollars reduces the real cost by your marginal tax rate — often 25 to 40%. If your FSA expires at year end, timing surgery accordingly is worth a conversation.
Cash and cards
All major credit cards are accepted, as are cash and check. You receive a written quote at your evaluation, and nothing is scheduled until you have it.
Insurance plans accepted
We accept Medicare and most major medical plans, including:
We do not accept Medi-Cal. Plans and networks change, so we verify your specific benefits before scheduling — call the office with your card in hand and we will check for you. If your plan is an HMO, you may need a referral from your primary care physician for covered visits.
No surprises
- Before your visit — tell us your plan when you call and we verify your benefits and any referral requirement.
- At your evaluation — Dr. Feiz explains what your eyes need. If a procedure is elective, or a lens upgrade is optional, he says so plainly.
- In writing — you receive the cost of anything not covered by insurance before you commit to a date.
- Financing, if you want it — CareCredit is arranged before surgery, not on the day.
The evaluation is free and carries no obligation. If Dr. Feiz does not think you should have surgery, he will tell you, and you owe nothing.
Request a free evaluationCall 925-705-7299
Common questions about cost and coverage
Does insurance cover LASIK?
No. LASIK, PRK, and refractive lens exchange are elective procedures, and no medical insurance covers them. Some vision plans offer a small network discount. You can, however, pay with pre-tax HSA or FSA dollars, and CareCredit financing is available.
Does Medicare cover cataract surgery?
Yes. Medicare Part B covers medically necessary cataract surgery — the surgeon's fee, the facility fee, and a standard monofocal lens implant — after your deductible and coinsurance. Medicare also covers one pair of glasses or contact lenses after surgery. Premium lens implants are an upgrade you pay for separately.
If I choose a premium lens, do I lose my insurance coverage?
No, and this is the most common misunderstanding. Insurance still pays its normal share of the cataract surgery itself. You pay only the additional cost of the upgraded lens and the extra measurement and planning it requires. You receive that figure in writing before you commit to anything.
Is corneal transplant surgery covered?
Yes. DMEK, DSEK, and full-thickness corneal transplantation for corneal disease are medically necessary and covered by Medicare and medical insurance. So is pterygium removal when it affects vision or causes symptoms.
How does CareCredit work?
CareCredit is a healthcare credit card. You apply online or at our office, usually with a decision in minutes. Approved applicants can choose promotional plans that are interest-free if the balance is paid within the promotional period, or longer-term plans with fixed monthly payments. We can give you the application link before your visit so financing is settled in advance.
Can I use my HSA or FSA?
Yes, for all of it — laser vision correction, refractive lens exchange, premium lens upgrades, and your share of covered surgery. Because these are pre-tax dollars, the effective saving is your marginal tax rate, often 25–40%. If you have an FSA with a use-it-or-lose-it deadline, timing surgery before year end is worth considering.
Do you accept Medi-Cal?
No. We are not able to accept Medi-Cal.
What should I bring to my first visit?
Your insurance card, a photo ID, a list of your current medications, and your glasses or a current prescription. If you wear contact lenses, stop wearing them beforehand — soft lenses one to two weeks, rigid gas-permeable lenses at least four weeks — because they change the shape of the cornea and distort the measurements.