San Jose Lasik Surgery » San JoseLasik vision correction

My San Jose Lasik Experience

captnko — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 02:27:12 +0000

Well, I’ve traveled to San Jose twice now. Both times, I worked up the nerve to go to an initial evaluation session. There, they dilated my eyes, mapped the surface, and checked for glaucoma. It turns out I have astigmatism in both eyes. When I initially went, the procedure was relatively new. If my memory serves me correct, they were just beginning to experiment with laser, and most procedures were KT. The second visit was about 10 years later, and now they have not only perfected Lasik, but now they have Wavefront Lasik.

The issue of insurance coverage is still a concern to me. Whether San Jose lasik, or any other city in California, my medical insurance does not want to cover the procedure. I visited my HR department, and found that there is an option to set aside part of my paycheck for medical procedures. This money that is set aside is pre tax, which is nice. And, the San Jose lasik procedure qualifies as a justfiable medical write off. This obviously is not as good as having my medical insurance pick up the tab, but at least it is somewhat of a financial benefit to not be taxed on the money I spend for the procedure.

I still have not committed to the lasik procedure however. each morning I get up and don my spectacles. I guess I’ve gotten so used to wearing glasses it doesn’t enter my mind too often to have the procedure. Besides, I teach in an environment where eye protection is required, so I would be wearing glasses of some kind anyway.

Well, that’s my story. Maybe it will change when I retire….. but by then, I’ll probably have to wear reading glasses anyway…ha! Oh, well.

Keep in mind, that technology is constantly evolving, and lasik operations are becoming more and more sophisticated. In time, lasik may become a thing of the past as it gives way to a new and revolutionary technology that helps us see better by some non-invasive procedure.

Write Off a San Jose Lasik Treatment

captnko — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 06:38:59 +0000

With Lasik surgery, a laser is used to permanently reshape the eye’s cornea, which corrects the patient’s vision. While your medical insurance coverage will not pay for the procedure, which generally costs around $3,000, the IRS does allow you to write it off when you file your federal tax return.

The IRS has decided that having Lasik surgery acts to restore the body’s proper function. Therefore, they deem this treatment as a deductible medical expense, unlike teeth whitening or breast augmentation. According to the government, these elective procedures do not have the same effect on the body.

Since you can use the cost of a Lasik procedure as a tax deduction, the IRS will also allow you to deduct any expenses associated with the surgery. These expenses could include money you spend for traveling to and from the clinic, your eating and lodging costs, medications you need after the procedure, and any co-payment amounts you incur. If you claim dependents on your income tax return, you can also deduct the cost of their Lasik procedure as well as any related expenses.

Medical expenses, such as a Lasik surgery, is deducted by using the IRS Form 1040 and Schedule A. However, you are only allowed to deduct the amount of expenses that exceed 7.5 percent of your Adjusted Gross Income. You may find it easier to meet this qualification since you can include those expenses related to the treatment.

Of course, we are not suggesting that you decide to have Lasik surgery just because you can deduct it on your taxes. But if you have a vision problem that requires you to wear glasses and you realize that your medical expenses for the year are nearing the 7.5% Adjusted Gross Income threshold, you might find it beneficial to have the Lasik surgery at a time when you can get that tax deduction.

This is one way to use the tax laws to your advantage and get a deduction that you may have otherwise missed out on.