When Will Insurance Pay for Cataract Surgery?
If you’ve been putting off having cataract surgery, now is the time to bite the bullet and schedule an appointment. Why? Because if you don’t have the surgery before the end of the year, you’ll likely lose this year’s benefit of already meeting your insurance deductible & have to start all over again next year. That’s because most insurance plans have a deductible that resets at the beginning of each year.
Most people experience some degree of cataract formation as they age. A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s lens. The natural human lens is clear. It helps you focus light onto the retina in the back of your eye, and produces the sharp images needed for good vision.
Over time, cataracts will cause vision loss that cannot be corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses. When this happens, surgery is the only effective treatment.
When Should I Get Cataract Surgery?
In general, you should consider having cataract surgery when cataracts are clouding your vision and making it difficult for you to do the things you enjoy. If you’ve noticed that your vision isn’t what it used to be, or that you’re struggling to see in low light, it might be time to talk to your doctor about the possibility of cataract surgery.
If you think you might have a cataract, the best thing to do is schedule an appointment with your eye doctor. They will be able to tell you for sure whether or not you have a cataract and, if so, how advanced it is. From there, they’ll be able to give you more specific information about your specific type of cataract and logistics of scheduling your procedure.
How Cataract Surgery Is Performed
Cataract surgery is performed by an ophthalmologist (eye surgeon). It is usually performed as an outpatient procedure, which means you can go home the same day. The surgery usually takes less than an hour and does not require a hospital stay.
During the surgery, the doctor will remove the cloudy lens. In most cases, the doctor will replace the removed lens with an artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL). Once the IOL is in place, the incision is sealed without stitches.
After Cataract Surgery
In most cases, after healing from surgery, your full vision will return within a few days. It’s important to keep in mind that every person heals differently and that some degree of glasses may still be needed after surgery even if full vision returns quickly. The type of intraocular lens (IOL) placed during surgery will also influence whether glasses are still necessary afterward and how thick they will need to be.
Cataract surgery is one of the most successful operations performed today – more than 98% of people who have cataract surgery experience improved vision afterward. It’s important to follow up with your doctor after cataract surgery so they can check on your healing progress and make sure you are using the appropriate eyewear for best vision.
If you’ve been thinking about scheduling cataract surgery, now is a great time to do it. Not only will you save money by utilizing the deductible you’ve already met before the end of the year, but you’ll also be able to get used to your new vision before all of the holiday festivities begin. Don’t wait too long—schedule your appointment today!
Here are a few reasons why you should get cataract surgery before the end of the year:
First, cataract surgery is one of the most common surgeries performed in the United States, so you’re not alone and you’re in good hands. More than 3 million people have cataract surgery every year, and over 90% of those surgeries are successful.
Second, most insurance plans cover basic cataract surgery. If you have insurance and you’ve been putting off surgery because of the cost, there’s no need to wait any longer. You may also have the option to have your vision corrected at the same time you have your cataract surgery. There is an affordable out-of-pocket cost for this.
Third, cataract surgery is a relatively quick and easy procedure that can greatly improve your quality of life.
The end of the year is approaching quickly—have you had your cataract surgery yet? If not, now may be the time to do it! Most insurance plans have a deductible that resets at the beginning of each year, so if you wait until January to have the surgery, you’ll be responsible for paying the deductible all over again.
If you’re experiencing dull and blurry vision or have been diagnosed with cataracts, give our team a call at (210) 585-2020 or contact us here! Our team of specialized doctors can help get you the information you need!
Be sure to talk to one of our doctors about not only the benefits of vision correction, but also any risks of vision correction that may pertain to your individual needs and circumstances.