Does Medicare cover CAIRS Keratoplasty for Keratoconus?

Yes. Medical Australia does recognise CAIRS keratoplasty (which also includes CTAK) for keratoconus, pellucid marginal degeneration, post LASIK ectasia and corneal ectasia. Dr Cronin spearheaded the campaign to achieve this ruling with Medicare.

Last week Medicare Australia confirmed that CAIRS qualifies as a keratoplasty under Medicare ten number 42653. This makes CAIRS (Corneal Allogenic Intrastromal Ring fSegments) keratoplasty more accessible for patients with keratoconus. Great to see Medicare making this sensible, evidence based decision that will help many people with keratoconus, corneal ectasia and Pellucid marginal degeneration enjoy better quality vision.

This also means that all Australian provide health insurers must also cover the procedure under their appropriate levels of private health insurance cover.

I was interviewed by MiVision magazine for their article on the topic in the link below.

https://mivision.com.au/2025/11/medicare-now-covers-cairs-procedure-for-kerataconus/