Does Medicare Cover Vision And Eye Care?
Original Medicare‡ And Vision Coverage
Original Medicare‡ Parts A and B do not cover vision care, except in certain circumstances. For example, Part B partially covers eye exams if you’re at higher risk for eye complications such as glaucoma. Original Medicare‡ also covers some medically necessary eye surgeries, such as cataract removal. But it will not cover routine eye exams, glasses, or contacts, which can become costly.
Fortunately, you have options when it comes to vision care. Private insurance companies offer combined vision and dental coverage. You can buy dental and vision packages to complement Original Medicare,‡ Medicare Supplement, or Part D (prescription drug) plans. Routine vision and dental coverage is also built into Medicare Advantage plans. You can purchase additional dental and vision coverage to upgrade your Medicare Advantage plan to meet your needs.
Vision Coverage With Medicare Advantage Plans
Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are bundled plans that usually include dental, vision, and hearing coverage, plus some other services that Original Medicare‡ doesn’t cover. This can include fitness programs, prescription drug coverage, and more.
Medicare Advantage plans that include vision care typically cover a yearly exam and an allowance for eyewear. There may be options to increase vision coverage within those plans.
Vision Coverage With Medicare Supplement Plans
Medicare Supplement plans help offer extra coverage for what Original Medicare‡ does not cover, such as copays, deductibles, and coinsurance. Most Medicare Supplement plans do not include dental and vision care, but you may be able to purchase a plan that offers combined dental and vision coverage. Availability varies depending on where you live.
Eye Care Is Crucial For Older Adults
Whatever you do, it is important to have regular eye exams that include retinal scans, pupil dilation, and glaucoma screenings. These are painless but important screenings. Eye exams can also reveal early symptoms and warning signs of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. The earlier you spot an issue, the easier it is to treat.
Many age-related eyesight issues are easily addressed at the optometrist. For example, reading glasses or blue-blocking glasses can do wonders for decreasing eye strain.
As we grow older, our ability to distinguish shapes, colors, and contrasts can make driving harder, especially at night. It also becomes more difficult to adjust from low light to bright light and vice versa. Glasses or contacts can compensate for some of these issues, and a healthy diet, exercise, and regular eye exams can help keep your vision sharp for many years to come.
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What Is Original Medicare Part A And Part B?
Why Choose Anthem?
Anthem does not sell Medicare Supplement plans in the state of New York. References to Medicare Supplement are for educational purposes.
‡Original Medicare: Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance)
Anthem, a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare Contract, offers HMO, HMO D-SNP, and LPPO plans. Anthem HMO D-SNP plans additionally contract with state Medicaid programs. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Retiree Solutions, a Medicare Organization with a Medicare Contract in New York, offers LPPO plans. Anthem Blue Cross Retiree Solutions, a Medicare Organization with a Medicare Contract in New York, offers LPPO plans. Enrollment in Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Retiree Solutions, and Anthem Blue Cross Retiree Solutions plans depend on contract renewal.