Does Medicare Cover Glasses?
Key Takeaways
- Original Medicare only covers glasses following Medicare-approved cataract surgery.
- Medicare Advantage offer benefits beyond Original Medicare.
- A recent study found 92% of Medicare beneficiaries wore corrective eyeglasses.
Does Medicare cover glasses? The answer is no, Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) does not cover glasses except when you need them following Medicare-approved cataract surgery. Medicare Advantage plans may offer additional benefits beyond Original Medicare, but specific coverage details vary by insurer, plan, and location. Learn more about how Medicare covers glasses.
Vision Care Increasingly Necessary for Older Populations
As adults age, it is natural for their eyes to change. Many adults over the age of 40 experience trouble with close-up vision (Presbyopia) and may require reading glasses or bifocals, even if they did not have vision issues before. Those with an existing prescription for glasses or contacts may notice that their prescription changes as they age.
Approximately 92% of Medicare beneficiaries reported wearing glasses, according to a study published in 2018 by the National Library of Medicine. For seniors aged 65 or older, poor vision can trigger other adverse outcomes, including falls, auto accidents, depression, and dementia.
Vision loss can be improved with vision correction, such as LASIK, prescription contact lenses, and prescription glasses. Original Medicare generally does not provide coverage for vision loss; however, 93% of Medicare Advantage enrollees in 2021 had plans that offered both vision exams and eyewear.
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How Medicare Covers Glasses
Original Medicare does not cover this benefit, except in one specific circumstance: Medicare Part B covers one pair of eyeglasses with standard frames or one pair of contact lenses following Medicare-approved cataract surgery. Outside of this scenario, Medicare Part A and Part B do not cover eye exams or prescription glasses and contacts for Presbyopia or other eye conditions.
Private insurance companies offer Medicare Advantage plans to replace Original Medicare. Many Medicare Advantage plans provide additional benefits beyond Original Medicare. For example, Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plans include coverage for prescription drugs. Specific benefits differ based on insurer, plan, and location.
How Much Glasses Cost With Medicare
While glasses costs vary by plan and coverage, understanding the general cost structure of Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage can help beneficiaries plan for expenses.
Original Medicare only covers glasses following Medicare-approved cataract surgery. In this case, beneficiaries would pay 20% of glasses costs after meeting their Part B deductible ($185 for 2025).
Other Options For Getting Glasses Coverage
- Medicaid: Medicaid is administered on the state level and provides health coverage for low-income and other eligible individuals. While benefits differ by state, Medicaid covers annual or biannual vision exams and glasses in most states, according to the National Eye Institute.
- Community health programs: Some community health programs may offer vouchers or membership cards that are redeemable for services such as eye exams and prescription eyewear at local eye care facilities.
- Private vision insurance: Beneficiaries of Original Medicare may choose to enroll in a stand-alone vision care plan for a separate fee. Costs for independent vision healthcare plans vary by location and carrier. However, keep in mind that private vision insurance does not coordinate benefits with Medicare. This means vision insurance plans will set their own premiums, deductibles, and other costs and details.
Putting It All Together
Many seniors 65 or older require glasses to help relieve the symptoms of age-related vision loss. Original Medicare only covers glasses after Medicare-approved cataract surgery. Medicare Advantage plans offer extended benefits beyond Original Medicare. Other options for getting glasses covered include Medicaid, local programs, and private vision insurance.
Sources
- Dental, Hearing, and Vision Costs and Coverage Among Medicare Beneficiaries in Traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage. KFF.org
- Vision impairment is associated with as many as 100,000 U.S. dementia cases. NIH.gov
- Many older adults lack clear eyesight, even with glasses. UNiversity of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation.
- Self-reported Eyeglass Use by US Medicare Beneficiaries Aged 65 Years or Older. National Library of Medicine.
- What You’ll Pay in Out-of-Pocket Medicare Costs in 2025. National Council on Aging.