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Medicare and your eyes
What Medicare covers for your eyes.
Original Medicare does not pay for routine eye exams for glasses, but it does help with many medical eye services. Here is what to expect.
Medical eye care is covered. Routine glasses exams are not.
Part B helps when an eye service is tied to a health need, such as checking the eyes of someone with diabetes or removing a cataract. The checkup that sets a prescription for glasses or contacts is left out. Once you meet your yearly Part B deductible, your share is usually one fifth of the approved charge.
What Part B helps pay for.
Diabetes eye checks
A yearly visit when you live with diabetes.
Glaucoma checks
A yearly check for people at higher risk.
Macular degeneration
Certain tests and treatments.
Cataract surgery
Surgery with a standard lens implant.
Glasses after cataracts
A basic pair or contacts after each lens implant.
Routine checkups
Paid by you unless an extra plan helps.
Glaucoma screening
Who counts as high risk.
You qualify for the yearly check if you have diabetes, if glaucoma runs in your family, if you are African American and at least 50, or if you are Hispanic and at least 65.
Medicare Advantage may add more.
Some Medicare Advantage plans add routine eye exams and help with glasses. Call your plan to see what yours includes.
Make your Medicare eye visit easier.
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Fast answers.
Does Medicare pay for glasses?
Usually not. The exception is right after cataract surgery: Part B helps with a basic pair of glasses or contacts each time a lens implant is placed.
Why was I charged for a refraction?
Medicare does not cover the test that measures your glasses prescription, so the office may ask you to pay for it.
Is a premium lens implant covered?
Medicare covers a standard lens implant. Extra costs for lenses that also correct astigmatism or near vision are yours.
What does Medicare Advantage add?
It varies. Some plans help with yearly checkups and new eyewear every two years. Your plan’s member services line can tell you.
Start with your annual eye exam.
Bring your vision and medical insurance cards to every visit. No eye doctor yet? Search the Vision Rescue doctor locator for a practice near you.
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Sources and notes
- Routine eye exam coverage (Medicare)
- Diabetic eye exam coverage (Medicare)
- Glaucoma screening coverage (Medicare)
- Cataract surgery coverage (Medicare)
- Glasses and contacts coverage (Medicare)
- AMD coverage (Medicare)
- CMS booklet for eye doctors on vision services (MLN907165)
- Plan names are trademarks of their owners. Vision Rescue is not affiliated with or endorsed by any insurance plan named on this page.
This page is general education, not insurance, legal or medical advice. Benefits differ by plan and change over time, so check your own plan documents or call the number on your member card. Only an eye care professional who has examined you can recommend what is right for your eyes.
