Lenses Covered By Medicaid
If you need new glasses through Medicaid, it is important to be aware of which types of lenses are covered. Regular single vision lenses are covered by Medicaid, for near and distance vision correction.
If you need bifocals or trifocals, Medicaid will also usually cover the cost. It will generally cover the cost of one pair of bifocals or trifocals, or two pairs of single vision glasses.
Lenses that are not covered by Medicaid include:
- Oversized lenses.
- Progressive multifocals.
- Transition lenses.
If you would like to have any of the above lenses, you can still get them with your Medicaid coverage. You will just have to pay the difference in cost for such specialty lenses.
Additionally, contact lenses are not typically covered by Medicaid. If you want contacts, you will probably have to pay for them out of pocket or with a different supplemental insurance plan. In some cases, contact lenses are covered, but only when they are deemed to be medically necessary.
How Much Does Bluecross Blueshield Cover For Eyeglasses
How much coverage is available for eyeglasses varies by plan. Most BCBS vision plans include an annual or biannual frame allowance, and a copay for standard optical lenses. If you want to upgrade your lenses or add treatments there may be additional copays or out-of-pocket costs. Were happy to check your BCBS vision benefits for you and explain whats covered.
Does Federal Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Eye Exams
In-network coverage includes: annual eye exams with no co-pays new glasses or contact lenses every 12 or 24 months elective allowance for contact lenses one-year warranty on frames and lenses and discounts on laser eye surgery.
Who is FEP blue vision through?
Blue Cross Blue Shield ® FEP Vision Backed by the strength of Blue Cross Blue Shield, BCBS FEP Vision offers the comprehensive vision coverage you and your family need.
Also Check: Massage Exam Practice Test Free
Does Medicare Cover Eye Exams For Macular Degeneration
If you have macular degeneration, or your doctor suspects you do, Medicare Part B generally covers eye exams and tests to diagnose the disease, related doctor visits, and certain injectable drugs used to treat macular degeneration.
Part B generally covers allowable charges at 80% after your deductible is met.
Which Medicare Plans Can You Choose If You Know You Need An Eye Exam

So how do you know whichplan is right for you if you know youll need an eye exam? Its importantto consider your specific needs when selecting a plan.
Part B will only covercertain types of eye exams, often for people in at-risk groups. If youre inone of these groups, Part B may be sufficient to meet your needs.
Additionally, Part B covers the placement of IOLs in cataract surgery. If you know that youll need cataract surgery in the future, you may want to select a Part B plan.
If you know youll needroutine eye exams, eyeglasses, or contact lenses, you may want to look into aPart C plan. Many of these plans include vision benefits that arent includedwith just Part B alone.
If you use medication for an eye condition, such as glaucoma or dry eyes, consider enrolling in Part D. This can help cover the cost of these medications.
Also Check: Cost For Contact Lens Exam
Consultation Referred By Gp For Significant Pathology Fee Item 02010
For eye exams which meet the medically required criteria, but are not initiated by a GP referral.
A consultative fee will be paid to the consultant where a patient is referred on a no charge basis for an eye examination and the consultant in his/her examination finds significant eye pathology, so indicates and completes a written report to the referring medical practitioner.
Does Medicaid Cover Prescription Eye Exams
Eye exams are an important part of vision health and therefore covered by Medicaid. Some types of eye exams may be covered under your standard health insurance plan.
Medicaid covers many types of eye exams, including exams for vision prescriptions. Eye exams covered by Medicaid include:
- Routine exams.
- Glaucoma screening.
Read Also: Police Entrance Exam Practice Test
How Will You Know If You Have Medicaid
If you want to know whether you have Medicaid and can use it to pay for your eyeglasses, consult your plan provider. You can get his/her contacts on one of the online directories that show you where to get eyewear providers who accept Medicaid.
You can also visit your states Medicaid site to check if you qualify for the program then apply to join. Remember that the qualification rules change, so check regularly to know when you are eligible.
Are There Other Options To Get Medicare Coverage For Eye Exam Costs
You may be able to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan that offers coverage for routine eye exam costs and even prescription eyewear. The Medicare Advantage program is an alternative way to get your Original Medicare benefits. These plans must provide the same coverage as Part A and Part B .
Many Medicare Advantage plans include coverage for prescription drugs, as well as other benefits to help you manage your health-care costs, such as:
- Benefits for routine vision care, including an annual eye exam and prescription eyewear
- Coverage for routine hearing care
- Optional dental care coverage for routine exams, cleanings, and even restorations and dentures
- Benefits for wellness programs and discounted gym memberships
Not all Medicare Advantage plans have all these optional benefits and coverage, and not all plans may be available in all areas. You must continue to pay your Part B premium, plus any additional premium required by your plan, and premiums may vary depending on the plan you choose and where you live. You will also be responsible for any copayments, coinsurance amounts, or deductibles required by your plan.
Request an email or schedule a telephone call by using one of the links at the bottom of the page. To see a list of plans in your area you may qualify for, click the Compare Plans button on this page.
New To Medicare?
Becoming eligible for Medicare can be daunting. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you understand Medicare in 15 minutes or less.
Don’t Miss: Medical Billing And Coding Exam
Glasses And Contact Lenses
Most BCBS plans contract out to vision care plans for coverage towards glasses and contact lenses.
Note: As with all other vision insurances, you will have to choose to use your benefits towards glasses OR contact lenses. Also, if your benefits are contracted out to EyeMed, VSP, or Community Eye Care, your coverage will be different than what’s outlined above.
Does Medicare Cover Glasses
Medicare doesnt usually cover eyeglasses or contacts, so youd have to pay 100 percent of the cost with the exception of certain eye conditions. In some cases, Medicare Part B can help you pay for corrective lenses if youve undergone cataract surgery to implant an intraocular lens.
After cataract surgery, you can receive up to one pair of eyeglasses with standard frames or one set of contact lenses. If youve had cataract surgery and require eyeglasses and other vision care, youd still have to pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount and the deductible.
Don’t Miss: California Notary Exam Practice Test
Are Vision Benefits Part Of My Plan
Who is this for?
If youre shopping for a Medicare plan or need to find out if your current plan covers eye care, this information is for you.
Whether you have vision benefits depends on what type of Medicare plan you have.
- Original Medicare is run by the U.S. government. It does not cover routine eye exams, glasses or contacts. Medicare Part B covers some eye care related to diabetes, glaucoma and macular degeneration, as well as corrective lenses after cataract surgery. Otherwise, you will pay for routine eye exams, glasses and contacts out of your own pocket with Original Medicare.
- Private health insurance companies offer Medicare Advantage plans that include everything Original Medicare offers, plus extra benefits. They may include eye care. Your vision benefits will depend on what type of Medicare Advantage plan you have.
Welcome To Bcbs Fep Vision

Welcome to BCBS FEP Vision. Blue Cross Blue Shield is a nationally-known carrier in the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program and is proud to offer Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP Vision to federal employees, federal retirees, retired uniformed service members and their families, plus families of active duty service members. Our supplemental vision plans provide comprehensive, worldwide vision coverage, including no copays for vision care exams, a generous frame allowance and discounts on popular lens options.
You May Like: Kaplan Real Estate Final Exam
In What Situations Does Medicaid Cover Glasses
Medicaid usually covers the costs associated with purchasing a new pair of glasses, particularly when deemed medically necessary. Children and young adults also get coverage for glasses.
These aspects of eyeglasses are covered by Medicaid:
- Frames
- Repairs
- Replacement glasses
Typically, Medicaid covers the cost of one pair of replacement glasses per year. If you are 21 or younger, you are allowed two pairs of replacement glasses per year. Glasses may be replaced if they are broken, lost, or stolen.
Current Blue Shield Vision Groups
1 Except Eye Exam Only, Materials Only and closed vision plans.
2 Vision Problems in the US. . National Eye Institute and Prevent Blindness America.
3 Vision providers are available by arrangement with a vision plan administrator.
4 $130 frame allowance plans available to groups of 51+ employees.
5 Groups of two to 50 must have a minimum of five enrolling employees. Groups of 51 or more must have 10 or more enrolling employees if they purchase Blue Shield medical coverage.6 Discount programs administered by or arranged through the following independent companies:
Discount Vision Program & MESVisionOptics.com MESVisionLASIK Laser Eye Care of California, NVision Laser Eye Centers and QualSight Inc.
Note: No genetic information, including family medical history, is gathered, shared, or used from these programs.
Also Check: How To Pass Your Real Estate Exam
Does Medicare Cover Eye Surgery
Although Medicare doesnt cover vision, hearing, or dental procedures, there are certain exceptions. For instance, if you require eye surgery or have a chronic eye condition that puts you at high risk, Medicare can cover cataract surgery or exams for high-risk patients with diabetes.
Medicare can cover cataract surgery with the exception that its done using traditional surgical techniques or lasers. Medicare would be able to cover 80 percent of the cost of medically necessary cataract surgery after the deductible is met. Additionally, Medicare Part B can help pay for corrective lenses after youve undergone cataract surgery to implant an intraocular lens. If the procedure is deemed medically necessary, the corrective lenses would be covered by Medicare.
Which Eye Exams Does Medicare Cover
In general, Original Medicare doesnt cover routine eye exams for eyeglasses or contact lenses however, there are some exceptions to this rule because Medicare can provide coverage for eye exams and vision care if an individual has diabetes, glaucoma, macular degeneration, or has undergone cataract surgery.
Don’t Miss: National League For Nursing Exam
Bcbs Fep Vision Offers The Coverage You Want:
- Free comprehensive vision care exams for all members
- Access to over 117,000 eye care providers nationwide, including Visionworks, LensCrafters, Costco, Walmart, Sams Club, Target Optical, Pearle Vision and more
- An extensive fully covered Exclusive Collection of frames
- A $200 frame allowance with our High Option that covers about 90% of national retailers frames in full
- Benefits that work overseas
- Access to health and wellness discounts from Blue365®
Does Medicare Cover Exams For Diabetic Retinopathy
If you have diabetes, Part B generally covers an annual exam for diabetic retinopathy if itâs performed by a doctor licensed to perform the test in your state. You pay 20% of the allowable charges after you meet your Part B deductible. Note, however, that Medicare covers this test just once per year, even if your doctor recommends it more often.
Read Also: Georgia Real Estate Exam Practice Test
Ophthalmology Examinations And Routine Eye Exams
BCBSRI has updated its payment policy for Ophthalmology Examinations and Routine Eye Exams for BlueCHiP for Medicare members, effective for dates of service on or after January 1, 2019. The following is a change to the definition of a routine eye exam:
Routine eye exam: The first claim processed by BCBSRI during a calendar year from an ophthalmologist or optometrist reported with Current Procedural Terminology codes 92002-92014, S0620, or S0621 will be considered a routine eye exam for benefit application purposes.
For 2019, all BlueCHiP for Medicare members have a $0 copayment/cost share for a routine eye exam. Please note that routine eye exam benefits are generally limited to one exam per year. Please check the members specific benefits for details.
For the purposes of benefit application, any subsequent claims filed with codes 92002-92014 or any services reported under the 99000 series of Evaluation and Management codes during the calendar year will be considered a medical specialist visit.
Following BCBSRIs updated definition of a routine exam, any claims with CPT codes 92002-92014 that have been processed and applied a copay to the members first office visit in 2019 will be adjusted to reflect that the member doesnt have a cost share.
If you have any questions about these changes, please contact Provider Relations at 1-844-707-5627 or .
Benefits You Can Clearly See

Healthy eyes and clear vision are important parts of your overall health and quality of life. With BCBS FEP Vision, get supplemental vision coverage that helps you care for your future. Were excited to offer our coverage to federal employees and retirees plus eligible retired uniformed service members enrolled in a TRICARE health plan, their dependents and the dependents of uniformed service members.
These benefits are neither offered nor guaranteed under contract with the FEHB Program but are made available to all enrollees and family members who become members of BCBS FEP Vision.
You May Like: Aws Security Specialty Practice Exam
Medex Vision And Hearing
Good eyesight and hearing are so important to your quality of life, but glasses and hearing aids arent covered by Medicare. For Medex Bronze, Medex Core, and Medex Sapphire members, the Medex Vision and Hearing benefit plan covers these benefits so you can more easily afford the glasses and hearing aids you need.
Put Your Bcbs Vision Plan Benefits To Work
Getting the most from your vision plan benefits can help you and your family stay in good eye health. Start with routine eye exams, making sure you understand what your plan covers as far as eyewear or contact lenses.
And be sure to take advantage of any frame or lens benefits and allowances, along with other member discounts provided by your Blue Cross Blue Shield vision insurance plan.
You May Like: Medicare Wellness Exam Waste Of Time
Does Medicare Cover Vision
In a nutshell, Original Medicare doesnt cover routine eye exams. However, under certain circumstances and conditions, Medicare can cover certain types of vision care. For example, Medicare Part B covers medically necessary screenings and eye exams for high-risk individuals with glaucoma, diabetes, or macular degeneration conditions.
Additionally, if you have cataract surgery, Part B can cover medically necessary vision care such as eyeglasses or contact lenses. Medicare can also provide coverage for treatment or surgery for eye conditions such as corneal disease, eye injuries or infections.
Lets say you have an emergency and you need to be hospitalized for eye surgery. In this case, Medicare Part A can cover the hospitalization and inpatient care after you pay the deductible and 20 percent of the remaining costs. Additionally, Medicare Advantage plans offer additional coverage that Original Medicare may not cover. So, check with your individual Medicare Advantage plan to see whether they provide any vision coverage.
What Types Of Blue Cross Blue Shield Vision Plans Are Available
Blue Cross Blue Shield operates under dozens of different names according to the state or region where the company does business. For example, you might find plans available from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona in the state of Arizona, but plans might be offered by Florida Blue in Florida, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield in Maryland and many other names depending on where you live. You may even see names like Anthem, Horizon, Empire, Highmark and more attached to the Blue Cross Blue Shield name.
With all that in mind, the exact vision plans that are available from Blue Cross Blue Shield will vary by state. However, they can generally be broken down as follows:
You May Like: Cheapest Place For Contact Lens Exam
Bcbs Eye Exams In North Carolina: What You Need To Know
Are you interested in learning more about BCBS insurance?
Maybe you have BCBS insurance and are looking for an eye doctor in the Charlotte or Asheville, NC area.
If so, look no further!
At Northlake Eye, we proudly accept BCBS vision and medical insurance! In fact, we accept a variety of vision AND medical insurances .
Regardless of your situation, here are the most frequently asked questions we receive about BCBS.
RELATED: Learn about EyeMed vision insurance
How Is Vision Care Covered By Blue Cross Blue Shield
Depending on the BCBS Medicare Advantage plan you have, your plan may include some of the following types of vision coverage:
- Routine vision exams are often covered in full, with no copayment required, provided that the exam is performed by an in-network eye doctor.
- Frames are generally offered at a discounted price. Some plans may provide an allowance toward the cost of frames on top of the discounted price.
- Eyeglass lenses are typically offered for a copayment or coinsurance.
- Contact lenses may be offered at a discounted rate with or without an added allowance.
- Sunglasses and non-prescription glasses might be available at a discounted rate.
- LASIK surgery is often available at a discounted rate.
- Retinal imaging may be offered at a discount.
Don’t Miss: Free Lpn Entrance Exam Practice Test Online