Medicare Advantage plans are a popular alternative to traditional Medicare, offering additional benefits not covered by the original program. One such benefit is vision care coverage, which can be essential for older adults who may experience age-related eye conditions.
In this article, we’ll be diving into the details of how Medicare Advantage plans cover vision care. We’ll start by defining what Medicare Advantage plans are and how they differ from traditional Medicare.
So, if you’re curious about how Medicare Advantage plans can help with your vision care needs, keep reading!
Overview of Medicare Advantage Plans
Medicare Advantage plans is a type of health insurance offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. These plans are designed to provide additional benefits beyond what Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) covers. Medicare Advantage plans or Medicare Part C offers all the same benefits as Original Medicare but with added services and coverage options.
There are several types of Medicare Advantage plans, including Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs), and Special Needs Plans (SNPs). Each type of plan has its unique set of rules and limitations. For instance, HMOs usually require that you see doctors and specialists within their network, while PPOs may allow you to see providers outside of their network for a higher cost. SNPs are designed to cater to people with specific health conditions, such as chronic diseases, and offer more specialized care.
To become eligible for enrollment in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you must meet the following:
- be a U.S. citizen or a lawful resident
- have both Medicare Part A and B
- reside within the service area of the plan you intend to join
- don’t have an end-stage renal disease (certain areas and plans may have different rules)
How Are MA Plans Able To Offer Vision?
So what does the average Medicare Advantage plan offering vision coverage actually cover? Let’s look.
Routine eye exams
These exams can help detect eye conditions or diseases early on, allowing for prompt treatment and better outcomes. Routine eye exams can also detect vision changes that may require a new prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses.
Eyeglasses
Some Medicare Advantage plans may cover eyeglasses, including frames and lenses. However, coverage may be limited to certain types of lenses or frames, and there may be a limit on the number of pairs of glasses you can get per year.
Contact lenses
Some plans may cover contact lenses, including the cost of fitting and follow-up visits. However, like eyeglasses, coverage may be limited, and there may be a limit on the number of pairs of contact lenses you can get per year.
Certain surgeries
Several other types of eye surgeries may be covered by certain Medicare Advantage plans to help improve vision and treat various eye conditions. Here are a few examples:
- Cataract surgery, a common procedure among older adults
- Glaucoma surgery
- Macular degeneration treatments
- Refractive surgery
Tests
Medicare Advantage plans may cover diagnostic tests, such as visual field tests, retinal imaging, and other specialized tests to diagnose eye conditions.
Certain retinopathy procedures
It may cover procedures to treat diabetic retinopathy, a condition that can cause vision loss in people with diabetes, including:
- Vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors (injected medications)
- Vitrectomy (removal of the jelly-like vitreous)
- Pan-retinal laser photocoagulation (a laser is used to burn and seal unwanted blood vessels in the retina)
Low vision aids
Medicare Advantage plans may cover low vision aids, such as
- magnifying glasses
- Telescopes
- other devices to help improve vision with low vision.
Out-of-Pocket Costs
While Medicare Advantage plans with dental and vision coverage may offer comprehensive benefits. There may still be out-of-pocket costs associated with vision care. This can include copayments or coinsurance for routine eye exams or treatment for eye diseases and conditions. Additionally, there may be costs associated with purchasing eyeglasses or contact lenses, even if they are partially covered by your plan.
Medicare Advantage plans are often able to offer vision coverage at a lower cost than standalone vision insurance because they are able to negotiate rates with in-network providers. By contracting with specific providers, Medicare Advantage plans can secure discounts on services and materials like eye exams, glasses, and contacts. This can result in significant savings for individuals who require frequent eye care or have a vision condition that requires ongoing treatment.
In addition to negotiating lower rates, Medicare Advantage plans can also offer vision coverage as an additional benefit at a lower cost than a separate vision insurance policy. This is because Medicare Advantage plans must provide the same coverage as Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) but can also include additional benefits like vision coverage at no extra cost. By bundling vision coverage with other benefits, Medicare Advantage plans are able to offer more comprehensive coverage at a lower overall cost than a standalone vision insurance policy.
Note:
The specifics of vision coverage and costs can vary by plan, so it’s essential to review the plan’s summary of benefits and compare plans to ensure you are getting the best coverage and value for your individual needs. Some Medicare Advantage plans may offer basic vision coverage as part of their basic benefits package, while others may offer a separate vision plan or rider that can be added to the main plan. Also, it’s important to check if your preferred eye doctor or optometrist is in the plan’s network before enrolling, as most plans require the use of in-network providers to receive coverage.
How to Enroll for Medicare Advantage with Vision Benefits
To enroll in a plan that offers vision coverage, you must first know when you are eligible to do so.
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- Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): This is the time when you first become eligible for Medicare, which typically happens when you turn 65. During your IEP, you can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan that includes vision benefits. It’s important to note that your IEP lasts for seven months, starting three months before your 65th birthday month and ending three months after it.
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- Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): It is from October 15th to December 7th each year. During this time, you can enroll in a new Medicare Advantage plan or switch from one plan to another. If you’re already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan with vision benefits but want to switch to a different plan, the AEP is the time to do it.
- Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA-OEP): It runs from January 1st to March 31st each year. During this period, you can change your existing Medicare Advantage plan, such as switching to a plan with vision benefits if your current plan doesn’t offer them.
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- Special Enrollment Period (SEP): This is a period of time outside of the standard enrollment periods when you may be able to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan with vision benefits due to certain qualifying events, such as moving to a new area or losing other health coverage.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Most plans that offer vision coverage do cover the cost of eyeglasses. The catch is, though, the plans many times will, for example, offer $200 for the cost of eyeglasses. So if the glasses cost more than $200, then you must pay the balance. In addition, you will also want to know when that amount resets.
Most of the time, you will have a copay, a deductible, and coinsurance. These are usually very minimal, but they do exist.
There are no specific disqualifications for Medicare Advantage vision benefits. Although, some more extensive eye care procedures may not be covered by insurance.
Original Medicare does not cover routine eye exams, but Medicare Advantage plans may offer coverage for them. The frequency of covered eye exams may vary depending on your chosen plan. Most plans offer to cover the cost of at least one yearly exam. But you want to look into your specific plan for clarity.
Another Thought
In addition to vision care coverage, most Medicare Advantage plans also offer dental coverage. Therefore, it is beneficial to research and compares different plans to find the best option for your individual healthcare needs.
If you reside in Southern California and need assistance, please feel free to contact me or schedule an appointment with me.
You can explore the Medicare Advantage plans and carriers I suggest using my Medicare Plan Finder.
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