Does Medicare Cover Prescription Lenses or Glasses?
May 26, 2022 | John Demko
With all the commercials, mailings, and other Medicare communication, you may wonder if your Medicare plan offers those extra benefits you hear people talking about. One of those extras might be prescription lenses or glasses. Does your plan cover eyewear? We’ll help you figure it out. If you have questions about your specific Medicare plan and what it covers, contact Twin City Underwriters today.
How to Know Whether Your Medicare Plan Covers Prescription Lenses
Let’s first look at the options available locally in the Midwest. All of these options work with Original Medicare (Medicare Parts A and B) in some way, and may vary depending on which area you reside in.
Medigap
Medigap policies, or supplemental plans: Medigap was designed to be the secondary payer to Medicare (which means that Medicare pays first). These benefits tend to be standardized, and offer fewer extras.
Due to this, your eyewear coverage in these plans is limited to only the coverage of eyewear post-cataract surgery. Some may feel that this benefit provides less-than-desirable eyewear, leading them to purchase an alternative pair. You will not have coverage for new glasses or frames each year. If you are on one of these plans, there are still options to obtain some coverage in this area – this might be purchasing a stand-alone policy (dental and vision bundle is very common), while others may have the option to keep their ancillary coverage from a past workplace.
Medicare Advantage
Medicare Advantage plans, or Part C: When enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, the insurance carrier becomes the primary payer and administers your health care coverage. As a result, these plans often provide benefits that Original Medicare does not in order to remain a competitive option. Additional coverage for prescription lenses and eyewear is more commonly included in MA plans.
Like Medigap, you generally have some eyewear coverage for post-cataract surgery, with the same limitations. With Medicare Advantage plans, however, you may receive an additional annual eyewear allowance that you can put towards new frames, contacts, or prescription lenses. Each carrier may have differing eyewear benefits, including the dollar amount that you are provided with for this benefit, or if this benefit is included at all.
Do you have questions on whether your Medicare plan provides eyewear coverage? Contact us today to review with one of our experienced Medicare agents.
Choosing a Medicare plan can be difficult. Twin City Underwriters helps Medicare recipients in Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Florida find the Medicare plan that meets their unique needs. Schedule a one-on-one meeting with one of our Medicare insurance brokers to get your questions answered!
