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Insurance for Optical Surgery Centers

Insurance for optical surgery centers 

Optical surgery centers (also known as refractive or LASIK centers) specialize in vision correction procedures including LASIK, PRK, SMILE, lens implants (ICL, RLE), cataract surgery with premium IOLs, and corneal cross-linking. These outpatient facilities deliver advanced laser and surgical eye care with a focus on precision, quick recovery, and high patient satisfaction.

That also means your risk is unique. Complications from laser ablation, flap issues, infection, vision loss, over/under-correction, or inadequate informed consent can result in significant patient dissatisfaction, malpractice claims, or regulatory investigations. Insurance for optical surgery centers must address both clinical exposures (procedural errors, equipment malfunctions, post-op management failures) and premises risks (patient falls, laser safety incidents, data breaches).

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Whether you run a dedicated LASIK/refractive center, multi-location vision correction practice, or combined cataract/refractive facility, the right insurance program is critical to protect your patients, surgeons, and investment from high-visibility vision correction liabilities.

Homewood Insurance Group partners with top carriers to deliver tailored General Liability and Professional Liability coverage for optical surgery centers at competitive rates.

Contact us today for a fast, no-obligation quote customized to your center.

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Insurance for Optical Surgery Centers can include:

  • Covers malpractice claims arising from laser eye surgery, cataract procedures, and intraocular implants.
  • Protection for complications from LASIK, PRK, phacoemulsification, or anesthesia.
  • Includes liability for ophthalmic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and surgical assistants.
  • Applies to standalone vision correction centers and ophthalmology-owned surgical suites.
  • Limits up to $1M per claim / $3M aggregate; tail and retroactive coverage available.

More Information

Insurance for Optical Surgery Centers can include:

Malpractice or liability insurance can provide essential protection against these risks:

  1. Professional Liability (Malpractice) Insurance

    1. Coverage for refractive complications, such as flap issues, ectasia, persistent dry eye, or night vision disturbances after LASIK/PRK/SMILE.
    2. Protection against claims of over- or under-correction, induced astigmatism, or loss of best-corrected vision.
    3. Liability for cataract surgery errors, improper IOL selection, or posterior capsule rupture.
    4. Claims involving inadequate pre-op screening (e.g., missing keratoconus, thin corneas) or post-op management failures.
    5. Defense for informed consent disputes or failure to disclose rare but serious risks.
    6. Coverage for laser equipment malfunctions, calibration errors, or surgeon technique issues.
    7. Optional extensions for premium IOLs, ICL/RLE implants, or corneal cross-linking services.
    8. Policy limits typically up to $1,000,000 per claim / $3,000,000 aggregate, with prior-acts and tail coverage available.
  2. General Liability Insurance
    1. Third-party bodily injury coverage for slip-and-fall incidents in pre-op, recovery, or laser suite areas.
    2. Protection for injuries during patient transport, eye drops administration, or facility hazards.
    3. Property damage liability for accidental harm to patient belongings or leased premises.
    4. Personal and advertising injury coverage, including misleading marketing claims about 20/20 vision guarantees.
    5. Coverage for multi-location centers or mobile laser services when scheduled.
    6. Cyber liability endorsement for breaches of patient scheduling or medical records.
    7. Laser safety liability options for Class IV laser incidents.
    8. Standard limits commonly at $1,000,000 per occurrence / $3,000,000 aggregate, with umbrella for high-volume centers.

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The Cost of Insurance for Optical Surgery Centers:

Costs are quoted annually unless noted, assuming no prior claims and standard endorsements. High-volume refractive procedures, premium IOLs, or surgeon incident history can add 40–100%+ surcharges, as carriers view elective vision correction as elevated cosmetic/surgical risk.

Professional Liability (Malpractice) Insurance – Estimated Ranges

  • Often around $8,000 – $20,000+ per year for a mid-sized refractive center with clean history and $1M / $3M limits.

  • Centers with high LASIK/PRK volume or past enhancement claims may face surcharges of 50–120% or require specialty markets.

General Liability Insurance– Estimated Ranges:

  • Approx. $1,800 – $4,500 per year for a moderate-traffic facility with standard $1M / $3M limits.

  • Higher for centers with recovery lounges, laser suites, or advertising-heavy models.

General Liability Insurance– Estimated Ranges:

  • Combining coverages can range from $10,000 – $25,000+ per year for typical centers, with potential discounts for AAAHC accreditation and strong consent processes. Larger or multi-surgeon operations will scale higher.

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Why do Optical Surgery Centers need Insurance?

The precision required in eye surgeries, combined with high patient expectations for successful outcomes, exposes optical surgery centers to specific risks and potential lawsuits. Here are key areas where they are vulnerable to being sued for malpractice:

  1. Surgical Complications and Errors: Even with advanced technology and skilled surgeons, there’s a risk of complications during or after eye surgery, including infection, undercorrection, overcorrection, and in rare cases, loss of vision. Surgical errors can lead to significant patient harm and dissatisfaction, resulting in malpractice claims.

  2. Failure to Obtain Informed Consent: Patients must be fully informed about the risks, benefits, and alternatives of eye surgeries. Failure to obtain proper informed consent can lead to legal action if patients experience adverse outcomes they were not adequately warned about.

  3. Improper Patient Selection: Not all patients are suitable candidates for certain optical surgeries, such as LASIK. Improper screening and selection can lead to unsatisfactory outcomes or exacerbation of pre-existing conditions, making the center liable for the resulting complications.

  4. Postoperative Care Issues: Inadequate postoperative care, follow-up, or failure to address complications promptly can worsen patient outcomes. Optical Surgery Centers can be sued if they fail to provide appropriate post-surgery care instructions or neglect post-surgery complications.

  5. Equipment Malfunction: The success of optical surgeries heavily depends on the precision and reliability of surgical equipment. Malfunctions or improper use of equipment can lead to surgical errors and patient harm.

  6. Data Privacy and Confidentiality Breaches: Like all medical facilities, Optical Surgery Centers handle sensitive patient information. Breaches of patient confidentiality can result in lawsuits for violating privacy laws.

  7. Miscommunication with Patients: Clear communication regarding the expected outcomes, potential side effects, and the recovery process is crucial. Miscommunications can lead to unrealistic expectations and dissatisfaction, potentially resulting in claims against the center.

  8. Failure to Keep Up with Technological Advances: The field of optical surgery is rapidly evolving. Centers that fail to adopt newer, safer, and more effective technologies may be viewed as providing substandard care, increasing their liability risk.

Malpractice or liability insurance provides financial protection against claims of negligence or malpractice, covering legal defense costs, settlements, and judgments. For Optical Surgery Centers, this insurance is crucial for mitigating the financial and operational impacts of potential lawsuits.

 Homewood Insurance work with a number of different carriers to source the most suitable insurance for optical surgery centers at the best price. Get a quote today.

MedPro Group
Core Specialty
CNA Logo
Travelers Insurance
CFC Underwriting
Applied Underwriters
Tokyo Marine Insurance Group
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AIG Insurance
Ironshore
Strategic Comp
MagMutual
Genstar
Beazley
Empro Insurance
Great American Insurance
Skyward Specialty Insurance
Hudson Insurance Group
Huntersure Insurance
MIG Insurance
Kinsale Insurance

High-Risk Procedures and their Impact on your Premiums

Procedure / Risk Type Description & Risks Insurance Impact
LASIK & Flap Creation Incomplete, irregular, or buttonhole flaps; epithelial ingrowth; diffuse lamellar keratitis. Highest-frequency refractive claims; PL premiums rise 50–90% for LASIK-heavy centers.
Corneal Ectasia Progressive thinning and bulging post-LASIK/PRK due to inadequate pre-op screening. Severe permanent vision loss claims; adds 40–80% surcharges without topography protocols.
Premium IOL & Cataract Surgery IOL misalignment, posterior capsule opacification, or refractive surprise with multifocal lenses. High-value dissatisfaction claims; 30–70% increase for premium lens volume.
Infection & Endophthalmitis Rare but devastating post-op infections from sterile technique lapses. Catastrophic exposure; boosts rates 25–60% with strict sterility audits.
Over/Under-Correction & Enhancements Residual refractive error requiring retreatments or patient dissatisfaction. Common but lower-severity; surcharges 20–45% emphasizing enhancement policies.
Marketing & Expectation Management Misleading advertising of "guaranteed" 20/20 vision or downplaying risks. Advertising injury claims; adds 15–40% with careful review of promotional materials.

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What types of Insurance do Optical Surgery Centers need?

 
General Liability Insurance

General Liability Insurance

General Liability covers medical expenses and attorney fees which result from bodily injuries and property damage that your facility or organization could be legally responsible for.
 
 
Professional Liability Insurance

Professional Liability Insurance

Also known as malpractice insurance, this  protects facilities against claims related to malpractice, negligence, or injury resulting from resident care. Staff members will typically be covered by professional liability insurance.
 
 
sexual-molestation

Sexual Abuse and Molestation Insurance

Provides coverage for your optical surgery center against claims arising from alleged sexual misconduct or molestation by an employee or other representative of your organization. Essential for the senior living industry.
 
 
Commercial Property Insurance

Commercial Property Insurance

This protects your facility against damage or loss to your buildings, equipment, and other property, which can happen as the result of various risks such as fire, theft, or vandalism.
 
 
workers compensation insurance

Workers Compensation Insurance

Workers Compensation Insurance is usually mandated by law. It protects optical surgery centers and employees in case of work-related injuries or illnesses.
 
 
Cyber Liability Insurance

Cyber Liability Insurance

Covers you against financial losses associated with data breaches, cyber attacks, and other cyber incidents. Insurers will usually conduct rigorous testing of your online system to fix vulnerabilities as part of this policy.
 

Why Work With Homewood

Optical surgery centers handle elective, high-expectation refractive procedures with unique laser and outcome risks that generic ASC policies often undervalue. At Homewood, we help you:

  • Partner with carriers experienced in refractive and ophthalmic surgery, avoiding plans that limit coverage for enhancements or ectasia claims.
  • Customize protection for your procedure mix—LASIK/PRK, premium cataract, ICL, or SMILE—ensuring high-risk elements are fully addressed.
  • Strengthen applications with your surgeon credentials, pre-op screening protocols, complication rates, and patient satisfaction data for competitive terms.
  • Build scalable coverage for growth—adding locations, new lasers, or premium IOL offerings without gaps.
  • Optimize deductibles, limits, and add-ons like cyber or umbrella to meet accreditation, lender, and marketing requirements.

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Ralph Schiller

Ralph Schiller

Ralph specializes in sourcing the most suitable insurance for Optical Surgery Centers at the best price. You can call him or fill out the form and he will get your message directly.