Medicare routine vision coverage isn’t comprehensive; but, there is coverage for severe eye conditions. Your eyes work hard for you, and they deserve high-quality care, but is it even possible with Medicare? In this article, we go over all the costs, coverage, and benefits of vision care. It’s essential to make sure you have everything you need in retirement; glasses might be part of that.
What Does Medicare Pay for Vision Care?
Medicare excludes most routine eye exams, though it does cover conditions like glaucoma, detached retinas, and cataracts.
Glaucoma is an eye disease that affects your optic nerve, resulting in vision loss. A detachment of a retina happens when the retina tears away from the underlying tissue.
Certain health conditions or some form of trauma can lead to this severe injury. If a detached retina doesn’t correct with surgery, it can ultimately lead to a permanent loss of your vision.
Cataracts cause a cloudy lens over your eye that can create blurry eyesight. Certain chronic diseases like cataracts require surgery to repair the eye. In a situation like this, Medicare will extend coverage to the lens replacement surgery. The doctor will remove the existing cataract and replace it with a manufactured lens.
When you have replacement surgery, Medicare covers a pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses. Also, Medicare covers exams to diagnose vision issues you may be feeling due to an eye ailment. Medicare will provide coverage if you have diabetes or if you’re high-risk for glaucoma. But, if you aren’t high risk, paying out of pocket could be a requirement.
Does Medicare Cover Eye Exams?
If you want to run into your local vision center for a simple exam to get glasses, Medicare won’t cover. You’ll be 100% responsible for the cost of your prescription eyewear, as well as your routine exam.
If you’re in the market for preventive screenings and tests to check for glaucoma or macular degeneration, you’re in luck. Medicare will cover preventive screenings to help keep the health of your eyes in check. Not only will Medicare cover the exams for macular degeneration, but they’ll include any doctor visits to treat the disease.
Does Medicare Cover Cataract Surgery?
If a doctor performs surgery using either lasers or traditional techniques, Medicare will cover your cataract surgery.
You’ll pay 20% of the health care costs after meeting the Part B deductible. If you have a Medigap plan, that 20% will be covered as well.
Does Medicare Cover Lasik Surgery?
Part A and B won’t pay for Lasik procedures unless they’re necessary, and that is rare. One example is a traumatic injury in which Lasik could benefit. Lasik is a procedure that treats farsightedness, astigmatisms, and nearsightedness in the eyes.
Lasik surgery is the most common eye surgery and has proven to improve eyesight, immediately following the procedure drastically. It’s a surgery that uses a laser and is virtually pain-free for patients. Most times, Medicare will not pay for the eye exam given before a Lasik procedure.
FAQs
How to Get Help with Vision Coverage with Medicare
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What does it take to file for Medicare reimbursement for glasses / lenses after Cataract Surgery?
Hi Richard, Medicare helps cover the cost of corrective lenses post-cataract surgery if you have had the operation for the purpose of implanting an intraocular lens. The coverage includes one pair of glasses or one set of contact lenses.
Had eye surgery now need surgery to remove excess skin, altering my vision, Medicare has denied it, what do I have to do to correct my vision in one eye
Hi Je Je! Medicare does not cover surgeries that your doctor doesn’t deem as medically necessary. You would need to look into additional coverage outside of Medicare. However, you would still need to check if they would cover the surgery if your doctor does not say it’s medically necessary.
I would like info on vision and dental insurance. I do not want to be swamped with emails!!!!
Hi James! This FAQ discusses Medicare vision coverage, we have another FAQ that discusses Medicare and Dental coverage. Give us a call and we’ll answer any questions you have!