{"id":55647,"date":"2025-09-22T09:48:51","date_gmt":"2025-09-22T14:48:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/preventblindness.org\/?page_id=55647"},"modified":"2025-12-08T14:37:16","modified_gmt":"2025-12-08T19:37:16","slug":"medicare-65-and-your-eyes","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/preventblindness.org\/medicare-65-and-your-eyes\/","title":{"rendered":"Medicare (Age 65+)"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover routine eye exams or eyeglasses, but it covers medically necessary vision care and prescription drugs under Part D.[\/vc_column_text]<div class=\"ult-spacer spacer-6a106a1d1ada4\" data-id=\"6a106a1d1ada4\" data-height=\"20\" data-height-mobile=\"20\" data-height-tab=\"20\" data-height-tab-portrait=\"20\" data-height-mobile-landscape=\"20\" style=\"clear:both;display:block;\"><\/div>[vc_column_text]<div class=\"aiovg-player-container\" style=\"max-width: 100%;\"><div class=\"aiovg-player aiovg-player-iframe\" style=\"padding-bottom: 56.25%;\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/preventblindness.org\/player-embed\/id\/56466\/\" title=\"Understanding Your Eye Care Benefits: Medicare\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen loading=\"lazy\"><\/iframe><\/div><\/div><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"VideoObject\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/preventblindness.org#\\\/schema\\\/video\\\/56466\",\"name\":\"Understanding Your Eye Care Benefits: Medicare\",\"description\":\"Dr. Harris Schild describes vision benefits available through Medicare. Learn more about how to access your vision care benefits.\",\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/preventblindness.org\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/12\\\/69371e85e92d8.jpg\",\"uploadDate\":\"2025-12-08T13:55:09-05:00\",\"embedUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/preventblindness.org\\\/player-embed\\\/id\\\/56466\\\/\",\"interactionStatistic\":{\"@type\":\"InteractionCounter\",\"interactionType\":{\"@type\":\"http:\\\/\\\/schema.org\\\/WatchAction\"},\"userInteractionCount\":277}}<\/script>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row content_placement=&#8221;top&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1757352643333{margin-top: 25px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_cta h2=&#8221;Medicine for eyes and vision&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;]Medicare Part D is an optional prescription drug plan offered by private companies that covers the cost of eye medications.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Some specific medications, such as those for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy, are covered under Medicare Part B.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/vc_cta][vc_cta h2=&#8221;Formulary&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1758224410860{margin-top: 25px !important;}&#8221;]The list of specific covered drugs (formulary) and associated costs varies by your Part D plan.[\/vc_cta][vc_cta h2=&#8221;Corrective Lenses&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1758224428531{margin-top: 25px !important;}&#8221;]Original Medicare will pay for one pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses if you have cataract surgery with an intraocular lens implant.[\/vc_cta][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1761666100918{border-top-width: 1px !important;border-right-width: 1px !important;border-bottom-width: 1px !important;border-left-width: 1px !important;padding-top: 10px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;border-left-style: solid !important;border-right-style: solid !important;border-top-style: solid !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;border-radius: 3px !important;border-color: #000000 !important;}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3>Where can I find out more?<\/h3>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/preventblindness.org\/eye-vision-insurance-benefits-questions\/\">Common questions about vision coverage<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/preventblindness.org\/medicare-benefits-your-eyes\/\"><strong>Medicare Benefits and Your Eyes<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/preventblindness.org\/vision-care-financial-assistance-information\/\"><strong>Patient and Financial Assistance Programs<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/preventblindness.org\/health-insurance-and-your-eyes\/\"><strong>Fact Sheets<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>External Resource<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/benefits.gov\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\"><strong>Benefits.gov<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1760123227651{margin-top: 25px !important;border-top-width: 1px !important;border-right-width: 1px !important;border-bottom-width: 1px !important;border-left-width: 1px !important;padding-top: 10px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;border-left-style: solid !important;border-right-style: solid !important;border-top-style: solid !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;border-radius: 3px !important;border-color: #015697 !important;}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3>Eye Care Access and Advocacy<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/preventblindness.org\/eye-care-policy-updates\/\"><b>Issues that can impact eye care<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/advocacy.preventblindness.org\/advocacy-alerts-sign-up\/\"><b>Sign up for advocacy alerts<\/b><\/a>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1757106706435{margin-top: 25px !important;border-top-width: 1px !important;border-right-width: 1px !important;border-bottom-width: 1px !important;border-left-width: 1px !important;padding-top: 10px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;border-left-style: solid !important;border-right-style: solid !important;border-top-style: solid !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;border-radius: 3px !important;border-color: #000000 !important;}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3>Do you have a story about access to eye care?<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/tallulah.ai\/form\/f11d7394-445a-4acd-a696-15841ab82a3c\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\"><strong>Share your story!<\/strong><\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_cta h2=&#8221;Medicare Advantage (Part C)&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1758224464603{margin-top: 25px !important;}&#8221;]These privately offered plans often bundle vision and prescription drug coverage into their benefits[\/vc_cta][vc_cta h2=&#8221;Cosmetic or elective eye care&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1758224478948{margin-top: 25px !important;}&#8221;]Cosmetic or elective vision services such as Lasik or Botox typically are not covered.[\/vc_cta][vc_cta h2=&#8221;Medicare and Medicaid Dual Eligible&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1760120870190{margin-top: 25px !important;}&#8221;]To be dual eligible means an individual qualifies for and is enrolled in both Medicare and the state Medicaid program. Original Medicare does not cover a basic eye examination, eyeglasses or contact lenses, however, the Medicaid coverage may include vision benefits. Explore Dual Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs), a special Medicare Part C plan specifically for dual eligible individuals.[\/vc_cta][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1757107003888{margin-top: 25px !important;margin-bottom: 25px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>More about how eye care is covered by each type of insurance.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_class=&#8221;home&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;]<div class=\"cover-item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/preventblindness.org\/private-insurance-employer-benefits-eye-care\/\"><div class=\"cover-item-image\"><div class=\"cover-item-image-main\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"540\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/preventblindness.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/aca-cover-item-woman-with-glasses-540x360.jpg\" class=\"attachment-main-thumb size-main-thumb\" alt=\"a working-age woman wearing glasses\" srcset=\"https:\/\/preventblindness.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/aca-cover-item-woman-with-glasses-540x360.jpg 540w, https:\/\/preventblindness.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/aca-cover-item-woman-with-glasses-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/preventblindness.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/aca-cover-item-woman-with-glasses.jpg 750w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 540px) 100vw, 540px\" \/><\/div><div class=\"cover-item-image-main-wide\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/preventblindness.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/aca-cover-item-woman-with-glasses-750x450.jpg\" class=\"attachment-main-thumb-wide size-main-thumb-wide\" alt=\"a working-age woman wearing glasses\" \/><\/div><div class=\"cover-item-image-line-1\"><\/div><div class=\"cover-item-image-line-2\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cover-item-content\"><div class=\"cover-item-title\">Private\/Employer Coverage<\/div><div class=\"cover-item-excerpt\">Is vision care part of your private insurance or employer health benefits?...<\/div><div class=\"cover-item-excerpt-wide\">Is vision care part of your private insurance or employer health benefits?...<\/div><div class=\"cover-item-link\">Find Out More<\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div>[\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;]<div class=\"cover-item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/preventblindness.org\/aca-and-your-eyes\/\"><div class=\"cover-item-image\"><div class=\"cover-item-image-main\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"540\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/preventblindness.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/private-insurance-coverage-man-with-glasses-540x360.jpg\" class=\"attachment-main-thumb size-main-thumb\" alt=\"a middle-aged man wearing glasses.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/preventblindness.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/private-insurance-coverage-man-with-glasses-540x360.jpg 540w, https:\/\/preventblindness.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/private-insurance-coverage-man-with-glasses-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/preventblindness.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/private-insurance-coverage-man-with-glasses.jpg 750w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 540px) 100vw, 540px\" \/><\/div><div class=\"cover-item-image-main-wide\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/preventblindness.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/private-insurance-coverage-man-with-glasses-750x450.jpg\" class=\"attachment-main-thumb-wide size-main-thumb-wide\" alt=\"a middle-aged man wearing glasses.\" \/><\/div><div class=\"cover-item-image-line-1\"><\/div><div class=\"cover-item-image-line-2\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cover-item-content\"><div class=\"cover-item-title\">Affordable Care Act (ACA)<\/div><div class=\"cover-item-excerpt\">What are the common vision benefits available under coverage from an ACA Exchange plan?...<\/div><div class=\"cover-item-excerpt-wide\">What are the common vision benefits available under coverage from an ACA Exchange plan?...<\/div><div class=\"cover-item-link\">Find Out More<\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div>[\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;]<div class=\"cover-item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/preventblindness.org\/medicaid-benefits-for-eye-care\/\"><div class=\"cover-item-image\"><div class=\"cover-item-image-main\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"540\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/preventblindness.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/mother-and-child-wearing-glasses-540x360.jpg\" class=\"attachment-main-thumb size-main-thumb\" alt=\"a mother and child wearing glasses\" srcset=\"https:\/\/preventblindness.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/mother-and-child-wearing-glasses-540x360.jpg 540w, https:\/\/preventblindness.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/mother-and-child-wearing-glasses-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/preventblindness.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/mother-and-child-wearing-glasses.jpg 750w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 540px) 100vw, 540px\" \/><\/div><div class=\"cover-item-image-main-wide\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/preventblindness.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/mother-and-child-wearing-glasses-750x450.jpg\" class=\"attachment-main-thumb-wide size-main-thumb-wide\" alt=\"a mother and child wearing glasses\" \/><\/div><div class=\"cover-item-image-line-1\"><\/div><div class=\"cover-item-image-line-2\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cover-item-content\"><div class=\"cover-item-title\">Medicaid\/Public Insurance<\/div><div class=\"cover-item-excerpt\">Medicaid and other public insurance benefits may help pay for eye and vision care....<\/div><div class=\"cover-item-excerpt-wide\">Medicaid and other public insurance benefits may help pay for eye and vision care....<\/div><div class=\"cover-item-link\">Find Out More<\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/preventblindness.org\/accessing-vision-care-without-insurance\/\"><strong>I do not have insurance coverage. How do I access eye care?<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover routine eye exams or eyeglasses, but it covers medically necessary vision care and prescription drugs under Part D.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text][\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row content_placement=&#8221;top&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1757352643333{margin-top:<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":127,"featured_media":55469,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-55647","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/preventblindness.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/55647","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/preventblindness.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/preventblindness.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/preventblindness.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/127"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/preventblindness.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=55647"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/preventblindness.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/55647\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":56488,"href":"https:\/\/preventblindness.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/55647\/revisions\/56488"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/preventblindness.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/55469"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/preventblindness.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=55647"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}