Are You Owed Money From This LasikPlus Settlement?
The FTC says 159,711 consumers are eligible for payment from LasikPlus due to deceptive pricing.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has ordered LasikPlus, an Ohio-based chain that provides corrective eye surgery, to pay $1.25 million to a large group of customers for using what it called "bait-and-switch" advertising practices.
According to the filing, LasikPlus's ads led customers to believe they could have the entire corrective procedure done for less $300 — in fact, as low as $250 — when "in reality only 6.5 percent of consumers lured in for consultations were eligible for the advertised promotional price for both eyes."
To be eligible for the promotion, consumers had to already have near-normal vision, the FTC said. For everyone else, it added, the actual price is typically between $1,800 and $2,295. According to the January 2023 complaint, customers only learned the actual price after they spent "considerable time and effort undergoing lengthy full-dilation eye exams and in-person consultations."
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
LasikPlus did not respond to a request for comment.
The FTC has sent notices to 159,711 people who may be eligible for compensation as a result of the misleading promotions. The notices were sent mostly by e-mail, but those without email addresses were sent hard copies in the mail.
The deadline for filing a claim is May 20.
The action comes as the federal government cracks down on bait-and-switch tactics across industries including health insurance and banking, charging companies with making false or misleading claims. Last year, for example, fintech firm Credit Karma agreed to a settlement with the FTC over allegations that it "tricked" consumers into thinking they were pre-approved for credit offers.
It's not the first time LasikPlus has come under fire for its business dealings. A November 2021 Wall Street Journal report provides details on the way some former employees believed the company prioritized profits over patients care, requiring employees to provide between 40-50 surgical treatments per day.
Where and how to file a claim
If you visited a LasikPlus or Joffe MediCenter for a consultation about having LASIK eye surgery but ultimately declined due to the price discrepancy, you may be eligible to file a claim.
The amount of payout for each person will be dependent on a few things, including the number of people who fill out the claims. Claims can be filed at www.ftc.gov/lasik.
For questions about how to file or whether you're eligible to file, call 1-877-871-0504 or send an email to info@LasikPlusSettlement.com.
RELATED CONTENT
To continue reading this article
please register for free
This is different from signing in to your print subscription
Why am I seeing this? Find out more here
Jamie Feldman is a journalist, essayist and content creator. After building a byline as a lifestyle editor for HuffPost, her articles and editorials have since appeared in Cosmopolitan, Betches, Nylon, Bustle, Parade, and Well+Good. Her journey out of credit card debt, which she chronicles on TikTok, has amassed a loyal social media following. Her story has been featured in Fortune, Business Insider and on The Today Show, NBC Nightly News, CBS News, and NPR. She is currently producing a podcast on the same topic and living in Brooklyn, New York.
-
Carvana Stock Surges on Surprise Profit
Carvana stock is rallying following a strong first-quarter earnings report. Here’s what you need to know.
By Joey Solitro Published
-
Qualcomm Stock Rises After Earnings Beat, Dividend News
Qualcomm stock is higher after beating earnings expectations and raising its dividend. Here's what you need to know.
By Joey Solitro Published
-
Fed Holds Rates Steady at 23-Year High: What the Experts Are Saying
Federal Reserve The Federal Reserve struck a dovish pose even as it kept interest rates unchanged for a sixth straight meeting.
By Dan Burrows Published
-
Federal Reserve Meeting: Live Updates
Investors of all kinds are eagerly awaiting news from the Federal Reserve meeting. Here is live updates and commentary from Kiplinger experts.
By Dan Burrows Published
-
Philips CPAP Settlement: What to Know
Philips agreed to a $1.1 billion settlement over CPAP and ventilator machines.
By Alexandra Svokos Published
-
Proposed Change in Social Security Could Mean More Money for Retirees
A proposed bill could change how the Social Security COLA is calculated, resulting in higher benefits for retirees.
By Erin Bendig Published
-
Blue Zones: A Blueprint for Adapting Health and Financial Security into Longevity
Many of the tactics used to increase longevity in "blue zones" are attainable, and as people age longer, habits and financial planning need to adapt accordingly.
By Quincy Williamson Published
-
Ease on Down the Road to Retirement
Want to keep working, just not as hard? A phased retirement may just be the answer.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
-
A Financial Checklist for Widows
An interview with a financial adviser about the financial steps widows should take.
By Janet Bodnar Last updated
-
You Should Be Investing in a 529 Now for Your Kids' or Grandkids' Tuition
Learn how to maximize investing in a 529, a state-sponsored college education savings account for qualifying educational expenses.
By Emma Patch Published