Understanding Vision Insurance and Medicare
As people age, vision care becomes increasingly important. For those on Medicare, understanding what vision insurance covers can be confusing. At BoomerBaby, we're here to help you navigate the ins and outs of vision insurance and Medicare. Whether you're in Mill Valley, California, Bend, Oregon, Santa Ana, California, Sun Valley, Idaho, or Boulder, Colorado, our team is ready to assist you with all your vision care needs.
What Does Medicare Cover?
Medicare provides essential health coverage, but its vision benefits can be limited. Here's a breakdown of what Medicare covers:
- Medicare Part B: Covers medically necessary services, including annual eye exams for diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma tests, and cataract surgery.
- Original Medicare: Does not cover routine eye exams, eyeglasses, or contact lenses.
- Medicare Advantage Plans: Often provide additional vision benefits, including routine eye exams and eyewear.
Medicare Advantage Vision Coverage
Medicare Advantage plans include vision coverage that original Medicare does not. These plans may offer:
- Routine eye exams
- Eyeglasses or contact lenses
- Discounts on services like glaucoma screenings and macular degeneration tests
Medicare Advantage plans often provide benefits that original Medicare lacks, making them a good option for those needing comprehensive vision care.
Routine Vision Services Covered by Medicare
Medicare covers an annual eye exam for diabetic patients, glaucoma tests for high-risk individuals, and cataract surgery. However, routine vision services, such as vision exams, are not covered by Original Medicare. To get coverage for routine vision care, including eyeglasses and contact lenses, you may need to consider additional options like Medicare Advantage Plans or a Medicare Supplement Plan.
Medicare Part B and Eye Exams
Medicare Part B covers an annual eye exam for people with diabetes and glaucoma screening for those at high risk. However, it does not cover routine eye exams or eyeglasses. If you need coverage beyond Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage Plans often include vision benefits that can help cover the cost of eye exams and eyewear.
Vision Insurance Options for People on Medicare
For people on Medicare, there are several ways to get the vision coverage you need:
- Medicare Advantage Plans: These plans provide additional benefits, including vision care, that are not available with Original Medicare.
- Medicare Supplement Plans: These plans can help cover the cost of services not fully covered by Original Medicare, such as eyeglasses and contact lenses.
- Standalone Vision Insurance: Separate vision insurance plans can also be an option to cover routine vision care needs.
How to Choose the Right Vision Coverage
Choosing the right vision coverage depends on your specific needs. Consider the following factors:
- Your current vision care needs, such as routine eye exams or treatment for eye diseases like cataracts and macular degeneration.
- Whether you need eyeglasses or contact lenses.
- Your budget and how much you're willing to spend on vision insurance.
Medicare Advantage Plans often provide comprehensive vision benefits, making them a good option for those needing extensive vision care.
Call BoomerBaby for Vision Insurance Assistance
If you're looking for vision insurance that suits your needs, BoomerBaby is here to help. Our team is dedicated to assisting people on Medicare with their vision care needs. Call us today at 1 (800) 903-8044. to speak with one of our representatives and get the vision coverage you deserve.