
Which Medicare Plans Are Best If You Need Vision Care?
Medicare Advantage Plan Provider | Additional Vision Benefit |
Aetna | Routine exams covered; $90 reimbursement ... |
Blue Cross Blue Shield/Anthem | Routine exams covered; Optional suppleme ... |
Humana | Routine exams covered; $100 allowance fo ... |
Kaiser Permanente | Routine exams covered; $200 allowance fo ... |
Full Answer
What does Medicare cover regarding an eye exam?
Oct 03, 2019 · While Original Medicare doesn’t generally cover routine eye care, there are a few instances when your Part B coverage may help offset your eye exam costs: If you are considered to be at high risk for glaucoma (if you have diabetes, a family history of glaucoma, or are African American and over age 50, for example), Part B may cover 80% of allowable costs if your …
How many eye tests does Medicare cover?
Sep 13, 2021 · Which Eye Exams Does Medicare Cover? Diabetes-Related Eye Exams. If you have diabetes, Part B may cover diabetes-related eye exams. This covers medically... Glaucoma Eye Exams. Under Medicare Part B, you can receive up to 80 percent coverage for glaucoma eye exams if you’re at... Macular ...
Does Medicare cover the cost of your eye test?
When it comes to Medicare options, the two best plans currently available are with United Healthcare and Kaiser Permanente. Both of these plans cover routine annual exams. In addition, they provide at least $200 in annual benefits for prescription lenses like glasses or contacts.
Is eye check up covered by Medicare?
If you have macular degeneration, or your doctor suspects you do, Medicare Part B generally covers eye exams and tests to diagnose the disease, related doctor visits, and certain injectable drugs used to treat macular degeneration. Part B generally covers allowable charges at 80% after your deductible is met.

Which eye exams does Medicare pay for?
In general, Medicare doesn’t cover routine eye exams for eyeglasses or contact lenses. However, there are exceptions to this rule.
How often does Medicare pay for eye tests?
Medicare does pay for routine eye tests, but only if they’re deemed medically necessary. For example, if you have diabetes and are at high risk for...
Is an eye checkup covered by Medicare?
Although routine eye checkups or vision care are not covered by Medicare, there are exceptions to this rule such as medically necessary services li...
Does Medicare Part B cover ophthalmologists?
Medicare Part B can pay for corrective lenses, one pair of eyeglasses, or a set of contact lenses that are provided by an ophthalmologist.
Does Walmart accept Medicare for eyeglasses?
Yes, if you have Medicare and have undergone cataract surgery within the last year, then Medicare can help cover the cost of eyeglasses at Walmart.
Does Medicare cover glaucoma?
Medicare Part B generally covers an annual glaucoma exam by a licensed eye doctor if you have any of the following risk factors for the disease: Diabetes. Family history of glaucoma. Age 50 or over and African American. Age 65 or over and Hispanic. You pay 20% of allowable charges after you meet your Part B deductible.
Does Medicare cover cataract surgery?
Medicare typically pays allowable charges related to diagnosis and treatment of cataracts, including cataract surgery. You’re responsible for the Part A deductible if your surgery requires a hospital stay, and your Part B deductible, plus your 20% coinsurance for covered outpatient services.
Does Medicare cover macular degeneration?
If you have macular degeneration, or your doctor suspects you do, Medicare Part B generally covers eye exams and tests to diagnose the disease, related doctor visits, and certain injectable drugs used to treat macular degeneration. Part B generally covers allowable charges at 80% after your deductible is met.
Does Medicare cover vision and glasses?
Original Medicare does not cover routine vision exams or glasses, but Part B (medical insurance) helps cover certain vision-related services if you have eye disease or injury. Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, an alternative to Original Medicare, provide the same coverage as Part B, plus more.
What vision care is covered by Medicare?
Medicare Part B helps pay for these medically necessary vision-related services:
Which Medicare plans are best if you need vision care?
Medicare Advantage plans are best if you need vision care. MA plans cover all services that Original Medicare Part B does, plus help with routine eye exams and corrective lenses. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 91% of Medicare Advantage plans available in the U.S. in 2021 offer some vision benefits.
How much does vision care cost with Medicare?
Vision care costs depend on what your needs are and what type of Medicare insurance you have.
Is an ophthalmologist covered by Medicare?
An ophthalmologist, as a specialist in eye and vision care, diagnoses and treats eye diseases, provides medical and surgical interventions and also prescribes and fits corrective lenses. Medicare will help pay for ophthalmologist services in cases of medical and surgical concerns related to the eyes.
Which parts of Medicare cover eye exams?
There are various areas of Medicare that may eye exams and provide coverage for vision-related expenses.
Which Medicare plans should you choose for an eye exam?
So, if you know you’ll require an eye exam, how can you figure out which Medicare plan is best and cover eye exams? When choosing a plan, it’s critical to think about your requirements.
Does Medicare cover eyeglasses?
Many seniors wear eyeglasses or contact lenses to improve their vision. In fact, according to 2018 research, 92.4 percent of people 65 and older registered in Medicare said they wear eyeglasses to help improve their vision.
Does Medicare cover vision?
Learn more about other options Medicare beneficiaries may have for vision coverage. As many of us grow older, our vision tends to worsen. That means we need to get eye care from a skilled optometrist—and often a new pair of glasses and/or contact lenses.
Does Medicare cover macular degeneration?
While Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) does cover certain eye coverage — like glaucoma screenings, macular degeneration care and a yearly eye exam for diabetic patients — it does not cover routine vision exams or related expenses, such as bifocals or contact lenses.
Does Medicare Part A cover Medicare Advantage?
Unfortunately, this is an expense that Medicare Part A and Part B don’t cover, and one of the reasons that seniors turn to Medicare Advantage plans for their health care.
How to speak to a licensed insurance agent about Medicare Advantage?
To learn more about your options, you can speak with a licensed insurance agent at. 1-800-557-6059. 1-800-557-6059 TTY Users: 711.
Who is Christian Worstell?
Christian Worstell is a licensed insurance agent and a Senior Staff Writer for MedicareAdvantage.com. He is passionate about helping people navigate the complexities of Medicare and understand their coverage options. .. Read full bio
Does Medicare cover eyeglasses?
Even though routine vision check-ups, eyeglasses, and contact lenses are not covered by Medicare, there are vision-related surgeries and care that will likely be covered by Medicare. For instance, conventional intraocular lenses (IOL) implanted in the course of cataract surgery would be covered.
Does Medicare cover optometrists?
However, Medicare benefits cover the fees charged by both ophthalmologists and optometrists for covered services; for example, an ocular illness or injury to the eye. The decision of which eye specialist to visit should depend on your medical need.
Does Medicare cover glaucoma screening?
This glaucoma screening can be performed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. When Medicare Covers Eye Exams. Other eye-related services may be covered under specific circumstances. As a result of a birth defect, traumatic incident or surgery, some people have eye prostheses.
What is an optometrist?
An optometrist is licensed to perform eye exams and prescribe corrective lenses. While optometrists can treat commonplace eye ailments such as typical eye infections, they are not medical doctors and cannot perform surgery. Eye Care Services Covered by Original Medicare.
What is the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist?
Difference Between an Ophthalmologist and Optometrist. An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor whose specialty is diagnosing, treating and operating on the eyes. An optometrist is licensed to perform eye exams and prescribe corrective lenses.
