Does Medicare Cover Vision? Eye Exams, Glasses, and Cataract Surgery

Original Medicare does not cover routine vision care like eye exams for glasses or the glasses themselves, but it does cover certain medical eye care, and many Medicare Advantage plans add routine vision. So whether Medicare covers your eyes depends on two things: is the care routine or medical, and do you have Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan. Here is the full picture.

Does Original Medicare cover vision?

Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) splits eye care into two buckets:

• Routine vision (not covered): eye exams to get glasses or contacts, and the eyeglasses or contact lenses themselves.
• Medical eye care (covered by Part B): treatment and screening for eye diseases and injuries.

So a check-up to update your glasses prescription is on you, but treatment for an eye condition is generally covered.

Medical eye care Original Medicare does cover

Part B helps pay for medically necessary eye care, including:

• Cataract surgery, and one pair of glasses or contact lenses after surgery that implants an intraocular lens.
• Glaucoma screening once a year for people at high risk (diabetes, a family history of glaucoma, and certain other groups).
• Diabetic retinopathy screening once a year if you have diabetes.
• Macular degeneration tests and treatment.

These fall under Part B, so the usual Part B deductible and 20% coinsurance apply.

Does Medicare Advantage cover vision?

Often, yes. Most Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans add a routine vision benefit that Original Medicare does not include. Coverage varies by plan and ZIP code, but typically:

Vision care	Original Medicare	Medicare Advantage (typical)
Routine eye exam (for glasses)	Not covered	Often covered, once a year
Eyeglasses and contact lenses	Not covered	Allowance toward frames or contacts
Cataract surgery	Covered (Part B)	Covered
Glaucoma and diabetic eye screening	Covered (Part B, if high risk)	Covered

The routine benefit is usually an annual eye exam plus an allowance toward glasses or contacts, up to a dollar limit that varies by plan. Because that limit differs so much, the vision allowance is worth comparing when you choose a Medicare Advantage plan.

Does Medicare cover eye exams?

It depends on the exam. Original Medicare does not cover routine exams to get a glasses prescription, but it does cover medical eye exams to diagnose or monitor a condition (like glaucoma or diabetic eye disease) for people at risk. Medicare Advantage plans usually add a routine eye exam, typically once a year.

Does Medicare cover glasses?

Original Medicare does not cover eyeglasses, with one exception: one pair of glasses or contacts after cataract surgery that implants an intraocular lens. Many Medicare Advantage plans include an allowance toward glasses or contacts as part of their routine vision benefit.

How to get vision coverage with Medicare

• Enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan with a vision benefit. The most common route. Compare the eye-exam coverage and the glasses or contacts allowance. See our guide to Medicare extra benefits.
• Use a plan's flex card or allowance. Some Advantage plans load a flex card that can go toward vision costs.
• Buy a standalone vision plan if you prefer Original Medicare.

Vision is usually bundled with dental and hearing on Advantage plans. See also whether Medicare covers dental and hearing aids.

Common questions about Medicare and vision

Does Original Medicare cover eye exams?

Not for routine exams to get glasses. Part B does cover medical eye exams to screen or treat conditions like glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and macular degeneration for people at risk.

Does Medicare cover glasses?

Original Medicare covers glasses only after cataract surgery with an intraocular lens (one pair). Otherwise it does not. Many Medicare Advantage plans include an allowance toward glasses or contacts.

Does Medicare Advantage cover vision?

Usually yes. Most Advantage plans add routine vision, commonly an annual eye exam plus an allowance for glasses or contacts, up to a limit that varies by plan.

Does Medicare cover cataract surgery?

Yes. Cataract surgery is covered under Part B as a medical procedure, along with one pair of corrective lenses afterward. The Part B deductible and 20% coinsurance apply.

How much is the vision allowance on Medicare Advantage?

It varies by plan. The routine eye exam is often covered, and the glasses or contacts allowance is a set dollar amount that differs from plan to plan, so it is worth comparing.

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Want a Medicare Advantage plan with real vision coverage where you live? A licensed Medicare Advocate will compare the eye-exam and eyewear benefits of the plans in your area, at no cost. Give us a call.