The Original Medicare plan pays for some or all of your hospital and medical care.
Except in rare cases, it will not pay for you to get eyeglasses or contact lenses. You must either pay the bill yourself or through a standalone vision insurance plan from a company like VSP, EyeMed or Humana.
If you have cataract surgery, Medicare may pay for one pair of glasses (with standard frames) depending on medical necessity. If you wish to have upgraded designer frames, you must pay out of your own pocket.
Benefits may also be paid when the eyeglasses are related to another more serious medical issue - an injury or other eye surgery, for example.
The Original Medicare plan generally won’t pay for routine eye exams and refractions unless you have a condition like glaucoma or macular degeneration. Because Medicare supplement plans only help pay for the things Original Medicare covers, your supplement plan also does not pay for routine eyecare.
Medicare Advantage plans typically will cover routine eye care, with or without a copay. Coverage varies by plan and an eye doctor network may apply.
If your plan does not include eyecare coverage, ask the provider if they offer discounts for people without insurance.
Most optician offices have a pricing schedule for people who must pay for care out of their own pockets. Ask the front desk or billing department for more information and whether you qualify.
LensCrafters, Visionworks, JCPenny Optical, Pearle Vision, America's Best and Walmart are all known to give special pricing on glasses for people without eye insurance.
Online eyeglass retailers are another option for saving money. You may find discounted frames or contact lenses from Warby Parker, Glasses USA and 1-800-CONTACTS.
If you are an AARP member, consider telling the eyewear retailer in case they have a special price for anyone belonging to the association.