Good eye care is essential to the health of our eyes as we start aging. While we all expect changes in vision over the years, other eye disorders may go undetected until they pose a significant threat to our eyes and vision. For this reason, annual eye exams are a vital part of our well-being and overall health.
Understanding your Medicare coverage of eye and vision exams is essential to maintaining good eye health. You may wonder if your Medicare plan covers your annual vision exam with your optometrist; here is a quick overview of this topic and your options for eye care.
Medicare’s Coverage Of Eye Care
Medicare Part B covers annual eye exams and will cover extra testing if you have age-related macular degeneration, diabetes, or a high risk of developing glaucoma.
Medicare’s Coverage Of Eye Wear Expenses
Medicare Part B will pay for eyeglasses or contacts if you’ve had cataract surgery that includes intraocular lens (IOL) implants. As for the eye exams, you are responsible for 20% of the Medicare-approved amount of the deductible.
Medicare Supplement Plans
Medicare supplement insurance plans for Original Medicare may also provide some vision discount options. If you have a Medicare supplement insurance plan, check to see what vision services may be included in the coverage before making your eye exam appointment to ensure you are aware of any costs incurred.
How To Prepare For Your Eye Exam
Once you have chosen the eye specialist you should see and the extent of your exam, you can better understand what may or may not be covered under your Medicare plan and supplemental insurance. For instance, our Optometrists can diagnose complex eye issue such as a diabetic eye exam, macular degeneration or glaucoma. We focus on the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of the eye to monitor for vision loss with our highly sophisticated, state-of -the-art equipment to help us better detect early disease.
The Take-Away
If you are concerned that your Medicare coverage does not meet your needs regarding eye health, consult with our office at 805-650-2020 about options to help you receive the care you need.