Vision Care for Seniors - What's Covered & What's Not?

As far as Premium Choice is concerned, As we age, our vision naturally undergoes changes, making regular eye care an essential part of overall health for seniors. Understanding vision care services covered by insurance and those excluded can help seniors make informed decisions about their eye health. In this article, we'll explore the key aspects of vision care for seniors, highlighting covered services and those typically not included.

Covered Vision Care Services:

Routine Eye Exams: Most insurance plans for seniors include coverage for annual or biennial eye exams. These exams help detect common age-related eye conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration in their early stages, making treatment more effective.

Prescription Eyeglasses: If an eye exam reveals a need for corrective lenses, many insurance plans provide coverage for prescription eyeglasses. Some plans may offer an allowance or discounts for frames and lenses.

Contact Lenses: Some insurance plans offer coverage for contact lenses as an alternative to eyeglasses. However, it's important to check the specific details of your plan, as coverage can vary.

Cataract Surgery: Cataracts are a common age-related vision problem. Fortunately, most insurance plans cover cataract surgery, which involves the removal of the cloudy lens and its replacement with an artificial one.

What's Typically Not Covered:

Cosmetic Procedures: Vision care insurance generally does not cover elective or cosmetic procedures like LASIK eye surgery, which is performed to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses.

Vision Aids: While some plans cover prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses, they may not cover other vision aids, such as magnifying glasses or low-vision devices.

Over-the-Counter Eye Drops: Non-prescription eye drops and medications are usually not covered by insurance plans.

Routine Vision Accessories: Accessories like sunglasses, non-prescription reading glasses, and lens cleaning solutions are typically not covered.

To make the most of your vision care insurance, it's essential to familiarize yourself with your specific plan's coverage details. Additionally, staying proactive about regular eye exams and promptly addressing any emerging vision problems can help maintain good eye health as you age. Remember that while insurance can provide financial assistance, the ultimate responsibility for caring for your vision rests with you.