Does Medicare Cover Glasses in 2024?
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August 23, 2024
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Medicare Coverage of Glasses in 2023
- As of 2023, Medicare does not cover most vision care, including eye exams, glasses, lenses, and contacts.
- Medicare will only cover medically necessary vision care, such as cataract surgery or eye exams for glaucoma.
- Many Medicare Advantage plans offer coverage for glasses and eye exams. To compare plans, check out our rundown of this year’s best Medicare Advantage plans.
Does Medicare Cover Glasses?
While Original Medicare typically doesn’t cover eyeglasses or contact lenses, Medicare Part B helps pay for corrective lenses (eyeglasses with a standard frame or one set of contacts) if you’re having cataract surgery that implants an intraocular lens.
Otherwise, you’re responsible for 100 percent of non-covered services, which include most eyeglasses or contacts. However, once you meet the Part B deductible, you pay only 20 percent of the Medicare-approved cost for corrective lenses after each cataract surgery with an intraocular lens. You are also responsible for any costs if you choose to upgrade your frames.
Regardless of whether you or your supplier submits a claim, Medicare only pays for contact lenses or eyeglasses from a supplier enrolled in Medicare.
Medicare Advantage
Original Medicare only covers cataract surgery if it's performed using traditional surgical techniques or lasers; however, some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans have extra benefits that Original Medicare doesn’t cover, such as hearing, vision, and dental.
Some Medicare Advantage plans cover annual eye exams and eyeglasses with no deductible or a $0 monthly premium. That said, Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurers, and the benefits will vary. When exploring different Medicare Advantage plans, be sure to ask your agent about the availability of vision benefits.
Medicare Supplemental Insurance
Also known as Medigap, this plan typically doesn’t provide vision coverage. It only applies to exams, procedures, and therapies covered under Original Medicare Parts A and B. There are no additional benefits that are covered beyond what Medicare offers.
While coverage isn’t always guaranteed, Medicare supplemental insurance can help make your healthcare costs more predictable so you can better budget your vision expenses.
To learn about our favorite Medicare supplemental insurance, check out our guide to this year’s best Medigap providers.
What Vision Care Is Covered by Medicare?
With Medicare, vision coverage will vary based on the specific type of test, procedure, or equipment.
Cataract Surgery
Medicare covers cataract surgery only if traditional lasers or surgical techniques are used. After the surgery, Medicare will also cover one pair of glasses or contact lenses.
Corrective Lenses
Medicare only pays for contacts or eyeglasses when approved by a Medicare supplier. Medicare will only reimburse you/pay for standard frames. Upgraded or premium frames will be your responsibility.
Glaucoma Screening
If you’re at high risk for developing glaucoma, Medicare Part B covers testing once every 12 months. High-risk people include those with diabetes, family histories of glaucoma, African Americans over the age of 50, and Hispanics over the age of 65.
Yearly Eye Exams
Medicare doesn’t cover yearly eye exams; however, some Medicare Advantage plans offer vision coverage that includes yearly eye exams.
Diabetic Retinopathy
If you have diabetic retinopathy, Medicare Part B will cover eye exams once each year. These exams must be performed by an eye doctor who’s legally certified to do so in your state of residence.
Macular Degeneration
If you have macular degeneration, Medicare Part B may cover services related to treatment. Otherwise, you’ll be responsible for paying 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount for the drug and doctor’s service(s) after meeting the Medicare Part B deductible.
Which Medicare Plans Are Best for Vision Care?
While Original Medicare vision coverage is limited, Medicare Advantage plans often have additional benefits. Here are some of our favorites:
| Medicare Advantage Provider | Vision Benefit |
|---|---|
| AARP | Through EyeMed, AARP offers a 50 percent discount on prescription lenses when purchasing a frame at LensCrafters and 30 percent on a complete pair (frames and lenses) at Glasses.com. You’re also eligible to save an additional $10 on a complete pair at Target Optical. |
| Aetna | Aetna Medicare Advantage Routine Vision benefit helps you choose from a diverse network of optical professionals. You can select your frames from top eyewear brands like Ray-Ban and Oakley. Because your benefit is applied during your visit, you don’t need to fill out paperwork to file a claim for reimbursement. Just pay the balance. Aetna Vision also offers additional savings. |
| Anthem | Anthem Medicare Advantage includes vision coverage (exams and contact lenses). Some plans may also include benefits to treat certain eye conditions. Anthem also offers supplemental vision packages that can add/enhance your plan’s coverage. |
| Cigna | Certain Cigna Medicare Advantage plans offer vision coverage, covering services like glaucoma screenings, diabetic retinal exams, annual routine eye exams, Medicare-covered eyewear, eyeglasses (lenses and frames), and contact lenses. |
| Humana | With Humana Medicare Advantage, you can see if your area offers $0 premiums. |
| Kaiser Permanente | Although coverage levels vary, Kaiser Permanente provides vision coverage on some Medicare Advantage plans. Their standard Medicare Advantage plan covers routine eye exams and Medicare-covered eyewear following cataract surgery. You can also pick from a list of basic range frames/lenses or contacts. |
| UnitedHealthcare | Because UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans aren’t available in every location, you’ll need to check which ones cover routine vision care. You may also have an annual limit on vision benefits each plan year. |
Bottom Line
Medicare vision coverage is limited. The best way to obtain coverage is to see if you fall into any of the categories listed above, or check if a Medicare Advantage plan is available in your area, or contact your current plan.