Thinking about getting LASIK or specs removal surgery and wondering if it’s covered under Ayushman Bharat? You’re not alone—this is one of the most common questions we get every week.
Many patients want to know: “Can I use my Ayushman Bharat card for LASIK surgery?” While the scheme provides cashless coverage for several critical eye treatments, LASIK or vision correction for specs removal falls into a different category.
In this blog, we’ll answer all your key questions:
- Does Ayushman Bharat actually cover LASIK surgery?
- Why isn’t it treated like other eye procedures
- What options do you have if you want to get rid of your glasses?
We’ll also provide you with the list of hospitals that fall under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme to help you get your treatment done in a cashless and affordable way.
Contents
Does Ayushman Bharat Cover LASIK Eye Surgery?
The Ayushman Bharat Yojana (PMJAY), also known as the Golden Card scheme, is one of the biggest health programs launched by the Government of India. It helps economically weaker families get cashless treatment for more than 1,350 approved medical procedures across empanelled hospitals.
However, when it comes to LASIK or specs removal surgery, the answer is No.
Unfortunately, “LASIK is not covered under Ayushman Bharat”. The reason is that LASIK falls under the category of cosmetic procedures.
Cosmetic procedures are those that are not medically essential but are done for lifestyle or personal convenience. In the case of LASIK:
- People usually choose it to get rid of glasses or contact lenses.
- Many opt for it for comfort in sports, jobs, or adventure activities.
- Some undergo it simply for better appearance without glasses.
Since LASIK is not a life-saving or urgent surgery, it is not included in the Ayushman Bharat package, even though it covers other major eye surgeries like cataract, glaucoma, and retinal treatments.
👉 So if you are an Ayushman Bharat cardholder, you can get treatment for serious eye diseases, but not for LASIK or specs removal.
List of Eye Hospitals that Accept Ayushman Card
Here’s a quick look at some of the well-known eye hospitals in India that accept the Ayushman Bharat (PMJAY) card for cashless treatment:
| Hospital Name | Location | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) | New Delhi | Cataract, Retina, Corneal, Glaucoma |
| Safdarjung Hospital | New Delhi | Cataract, Corneal, General Eye Care |
| Dr. Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital | Delhi NCR | Cataract, Specs Removal (Self-Paid), Retina |
| Sankara Nethralaya | Chennai | Retina, Cornea, Cataract, Pediatric Eye |
| LV Prasad Eye Institute | Hyderabad | Retina, Cornea, Pediatric Eye Care |
| Aravind Eye Hospital | Madurai | Cataract, Retina, Glaucoma |
| Nethradhama Super Speciality Eye Hospital | Bengaluru | Cataract, LASIK (not covered), Retina |
| Sankalp Eye Hospital | Lucknow | Cataract, Glaucoma, Retina |
| Bansal Eye Hospital | Chandigarh | Cataract, Retina, Corneal Care |
| MGM Medical College & Hospital | Mumbai | Cataract, Retina, Corneal Transplant |
👉 These are just a few of the many hospitals across India that accept the card.
For the complete state-wise list of Ayushman Bharat-approved hospitals, click below:
With this list, you can easily search for “Ayushman Bharat hospital near me” and find the right eye hospital in your city.
How to Check If a Hospital is Covered Under PMJAY (Ayushman Bharat)?
It’s very simple to check whether a hospital near you accepts the Ayushman Bharat (PMJAY) card. The government has created an official portal where you can search for empanelled hospitals by state, district, speciality, or even pin code.
Here’s how you can do it:
- Visit the Official PMJAY Hospital Finder
👉 Click here to search hospitals under Ayushman Bharat (PMJAY) - Select Your State & District
- Example: Delhi → choose your district.
- Choose Scheme as PMJAY
- Make sure PMJAY is selected in the scheme option.
- Select Speciality (Optional)
- If you are searching specifically for eye hospitals, select Ophthalmology from the dropdown.
- Click Search
- You will see a list of government and private hospitals with their name, address, contact number, year of empanelment, and directions.
For example, in Delhi there are:
- 28 Government Hospitals
- 69 Private Hospitals
- Including names like Sharp Sight Eye Hospital, Eye Mantra Hospital, Gandhi Hospital, Bharti Eye Hospital, and Narang Eye Institute.
This way, you can directly find a hospital near you that is covered under Ayushman Bharat PMJAY and avail cashless treatment.
Is There Any Other Government Panel That Covers LASIK?
While Ayushman Bharat (PMJAY) does not cover LASIK or specs removal surgery, there is one government panel that can provide some relief — the Haryana Government Health Services (HGHS) panel.
Our hospital is associated with the Haryana Government panel, and under this scheme, you can get certain benefits for LASIK surgeries or laser-based procedures. Though it may not always cover the full cost, it still offers financial support that can make the treatment more affordable.
So, if you are associated with the Haryana Government panel, you can take advantage of this benefit and get help for your LASIK or laser eye surgery at our hospital.
Other Insurance Policies & Easy Payment Options for LASIK
If you are worried about the cost of LASIK surgery and wondering if there are other ways to reduce the burden, the good news is — many insurance policies and flexible payment options can help.
- Corporate or Personal Health Insurance:
Some private or corporate insurance policies may provide partial coverage for LASIK if your eye power is high (for example, -5, -7 or above). The coverage can vary:- Some policies give 100% coverage.
- Others cover 50% or 20% of the cost.
- It depends on the specific terms of your policy, so it’s important to check carefully.
- Easy EMI Options:
If insurance is not available, you don’t need to worry. At Eye Mantra, we offer EMI facilities, so you can pay in small monthly installments instead of bearing the full amount at once. This makes LASIK affordable and stress-free for everyone.
So, whether through insurance support or easy EMI plans, Eye Mantra ensures that cost will never stop you from getting rid of glasses and enjoying clear vision.
Conclusion
While Ayushman Bharat (PMJAY) does not cover LASIK or specs removal surgery, you still have options. At Eye Mantra, we offer the latest LASIK technologies — including Contoura Vision, Smile, and AI-based LASIK — with world-class safety and precision.
For those associated with the Haryana Government Health Services (HGHS) panel, there are special benefits available that can help reduce the cost of LASIK and make it easier to access advanced treatment.
If you’ve been thinking about getting rid of glasses and enjoying clear vision, now is the right time.
📞 Call us today at +91-9711116605 to book your FREE consultation at Eye Mantra — India’s trusted hospital for LASIK and advanced eye care.
FAQs
No, LASIK is generally not covered under the Ayushman Bharat (PMJAY) scheme. This is because the scheme prioritizes life-saving or sight-saving medical surgeries. Since LASIK is considered a refractive/cosmetic procedure to remove glasses, it falls outside the standard coverage list.
The scheme primarily covers surgeries that treat diseases, such as Cataract (Motia Bind), Glaucoma, Corneal repairs, and certain Retinal surgeries. Cataract surgery is the most commonly availed eye service under this panel.
While the government panel doesn’t cover the cost, some empanelled private hospitals, like EyeMantra, may offer special subsidized pricing or financing options for PMJAY cardholders seeking LASIK.
You can visit the official PMJAY portal or check the “Panels” section on our website to find a list of hospitals that accept the Ayushman Bharat card for approved eye treatments.
Medically Reviewed By
Senior Eye Surgeon | LASIK, SMILE & Cataract Specialist
