Short answer: You can pay for laser eye surgery upfront, have part of it paid by a top-tier private health policy, or spread the cost with a loan from a third-party credit provider. Focus Vision accepts humm as a payment option. humm is a loan from Once Credit Pty Limited (Australian Credit Licence 386194), not from Focus Vision, and it comes with fees (humm). Medicare does not pay for laser eye surgery to correct your prescription (healthdirect).
Whichever way you pay, the order matters. First find out whether laser eye surgery suits your eyes and which procedure is right; then decide how to pay. Nobody should feel rushed into surgery or into borrowing for it.
Focus Vision is not a credit provider and does not give credit or financial advice. Focus Vision does not receive any commission or other benefit from humm. This article is general information, not a recommendation that any loan is right for you.
What the surgery costs
All-inclusive prices per eye at Focus Vision (costs page):
| Procedure | Price per eye | Both eyes |
|---|---|---|
| TransPRK | from $3,500 | from $7,000 |
| LASIK and Ray Tracing LASIK | from $4,250 | from $8,500 |
| CLEAR lenticule extraction | from $4,250 | from $8,500 |
| Implantable contact lens (ICL), including the anaesthetist | from $7,000 | from $14,000 |
| Refractive lens exchange, including the anaesthetist | from $6,000 | from $12,000 |
These prices cover pre-operative assessments, the procedure and a year of follow-up appointments, with no surcharge for higher prescriptions. Prescribed medications and eye drops are bought separately. Your first assessment with our optometrist is free; you then see a specialist surgeon for a paid consultation, and that fee is deducted from the surgery price if you go ahead. If your vision needs fine-tuning, enhancements are free for two years under our enhancement policy.
Your options for paying
1. Pay upfront
Paying from savings costs the least, because there are no loan fees. Ask our team which payment methods we accept on the day.
2. Private health insurance
Most private health policies don’t cover elective laser eye surgery, but a few top-tier policies do:
- Bupa Gold Ultimate Health Cover lists 100% cover for laser eye surgery by Bupa-recognised providers after a 3-year waiting period. See Does Bupa cover laser eye surgery?
- Medibank Gold Ultra Health Cover lists 100% back up to $3,500 per person after a 36-month waiting period. See Does Medibank cover laser eye surgery?
Because of the long waiting periods, upgrading only for laser eye surgery is a medium-term plan. Compare the extra premiums with the benefit before you change cover.
3. A loan through humm
humm lets you pay for your surgery over time with a loan from Once Credit Pty Limited, part of humm group. How it works, according to humm’s published information:
- Applying. You apply to humm, not to Focus Vision. To be eligible you must be 18 or over, live permanently in Australia, hold a valid Australian driver’s licence or passport, and have a regular income and good credit history. Meeting these criteria doesn’t guarantee approval (humm).
- Assessment. humm assesses your application, including a credit check, and decides how much it will lend (humm).
- Repayments. Repayments are made fortnightly or monthly by automatic debit from your nominated bank account or card.
- Fees. humm loans carry an establishment fee, a monthly loan fee while the loan is open, and a $20 late payment fee if you miss a payment. Interest applies to some loans. Fees vary by merchant and loan, and are set out in your Loan Schedule (humm).
- Paying off early. You can repay the loan early without a penalty (humm).
- Regulation. Since 10 June 2025, providers of these loans must hold an Australian credit licence and follow responsible lending rules (ASIC).
Focus Vision receives no commission or other benefit from humm. We can’t tell you whether a loan suits your finances, or help you fill in an application. If you have questions about a humm loan, ask humm. If you are already repaying a loan and are struggling, humm has a financial hardship line on 1300 331 645.
Before you borrow: what to check
The government’s Moneysmart service gives this advice on buy-now-pay-later and interest-free deals (Moneysmart; Moneysmart):
- Work out the total you’ll repay, including the establishment fee and every monthly fee, not just the surgery price. Your Loan Schedule shows this before you sign.
- Check you can afford each repayment alongside your other bills. Late or missed repayments can be reported and can lower your credit score.
- Each application triggers a credit check. Apply once you have chosen your procedure and know your total cost.
- Read what happens if anything is still owing at the end of the loan term, and whether interest or extra fees then apply.
- Compare your options. Savings, a health fund benefit, or waiting until you have saved may cost less overall.
What about Medicare?
Medicare does not cover laser eye surgery, or implantable contact lens surgery, done to correct your prescription, because it is elective (healthdirect). Cataract surgery is different: it has a Medicare item (MBS item 42702), and clinically indicated pterygium surgery is also Medicare-eligible.
Start with suitability
The right procedure, and whether you need surgery at all, depends on your eyes. Read Types of laser eye surgery for how the options compare, or book a free optometrist assessment and call (07) 3239 5005. Your specialist consultation confirms your procedure and its total cost, so you know what you’re paying for before you decide how to pay.
This article is general information only. It is not financial, credit or medical advice. Loan products, fees and health insurance products change; check the current terms with the provider before you apply.
References
- humm (Once Credit Pty Limited). Fees and charges. hummloan.com/fees-and-charges
- humm (Once Credit Pty Limited). Eligibility criteria. hummloan.com/eligibility-criteria
- humm (Once Credit Pty Limited). What is a credit limit? hummloan.com/help-and-support/what-is-a-credit-limit
- humm (Once Credit Pty Limited). Can I pay off my humm early? hummloan.com/help-and-support/can-i-pay-off-my-humm-early
- Australian Securities and Investments Commission. Buy now pay later: credit contracts and credit licensing. asic.gov.au
- Moneysmart (ASIC). Buy now pay later services. moneysmart.gov.au/other-ways-to-borrow/buy-now-pay-later-services
- Moneysmart (ASIC). Interest-free deals. moneysmart.gov.au/other-ways-to-borrow/interest-free-deals
- healthdirect Australia. Laser eye surgery. healthdirect.gov.au/laser-eye-surgery
- Australian Government Department of Health. Medicare Benefits Schedule, Item 42702. MBS Online. www9.health.gov.au