More than 160 million Americans rely on glasses to correct their vision problems. If you’re an older adult who fits into this population, then you may be curious about whether your Medicare health insurance will cover some of the costs of your next pair of eyeglasses. If so, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading to learn more about, “Does Medicare cover glasses?”
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Unfortunately, Medicare does not cover the costs of glasses that are meant to correct ordinary vision problems. This fits into the insurance’s broader non-coverage of most vision services and products. However, Original Medicare will cover the costs of a pair of corrective lenses in certain situations. You’ll qualify if you’ve recently had cataract surgery to implant an intraocular lens. In this scenario, Original Medicare would cover the costs of one pair of glasses with standard frames or one set of contact lenses.
Your coverage for vision services will be greatly expanded if you sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan. These plans are meant to build on top of the coverage that’s already provided by Original Medicare. Many people purchase a Medicare Advantage plan as a means of getting coverage for things like dental and vision healthcare. That being said, the specific coverage that your Medicare Part C plan offers for glasses will vary based on the plan you get. These are offered by private companies and they vary in the extent that they go to provide policyholders coverage for vision services and products like eyeglasses. Be sure to check with your provider if you’re unsure about what your coverage for glasses currently looks like.
Your options are fairly limited if Original Medicare won’t cover the costs of your glasses. The first choice that you have is to pay for the glasses on your own out-of-pocket. If that doesn’t work for you, then you may want to look into upgrading your coverage to a Medicare Advantage plan that includes coverage for glasses.
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Most vision services and products aren’t covered by Medicare Part A or Part B. In fact, the only types of vision care that are covered by this insurance are those that have been deemed medically necessary by a qualified physician. For example, Medicare Part B covers the costs of yearly glaucoma screenings for individuals who have a high risk of getting it. Similarly, Medicare Part B will cover the costs of cataract surgery if you need it.
How Can Time for 65 Help?
Are you interested in learning more about Medicare’s coverage of vision services and products like glasses? Or, maybe you’re in the market for a new plan that will allow you to benefit from coverage for these products. If so, consider reaching out to a partnered licensed agent through Time for 65. They’re the Medicare experts who can provide personalized recommendations and information about your coverage for products like glasses. Getting started is easy. If you’d like to learn more, or are curious to find out what else does Medicare cover, consider contacting one of our partnered licensed agents today. You can do so by either filling out this form or giving us a call.