Does Medicare pay for cataract surgery, and if so how much coverage can you expect? Eye problems, like cataracts, can be debilitating. Eye surgery can get so costly that inclusion of this kind of coverage in Medicare’s health insurance plan is a massive benefit.

Medicare Coverage for Cataract Surgery FAQ

Does Medicare Pay for Cataract Surgery?

Medicare covers surgical procedures for cataracts and glaucoma. The amount the insurance covers varies:

• based on the type of facility (inpatient or outpatient service)
• based on the Medicare plan you have
• post-surgery needs (care and medications)

Does Medicare Cover Cataract Surgery and Implants?

Basic implants are also eligible for Medicare coverage. If your doctor recommends an advanced model, you must speak with your health care provider to discuss additional costs.

Does Medicare Pay for Glasses After Cataract Surgery?

Medicare will cover one pair of prescription glasses or contact lenses needed after the surgery. Take note that the glasses or contact lenses should be obtained from an enrolled Medicare supplier.

Does Medicare Pay for Refraction of Glasses After Cataract Surgery?

The answer is no. Medicare covers payment for the actual glasses or contact lenses only. If refraction is needed post surgery, this is excluded from regular coverage.

Does Medicare Help Pay for Laser Cataract Surgery?

Medicare covers both conventional and laser cataract surgeries. But take note that doctors charge for other related services. Make sure to read the patient’s consent form to see the specifics.

Does Medicare Pay for Cataract Surgery with Astigmatism?

Astigmatism correction is not guaranteed post cataract surgery. To ensure its treatment, more procedures need to be performed. These procedures may take the form of LASIK, astigmatic keratotomy, or toric intraocular lenses. Unfortunately, Medicare does not cover other surgical procedures on the eyes at the moment.

Does Medicare Pay Doctors for Cataract Surgery?

Medicare covers physician professional fees based on a mandated schedule of fees. It is also important to note that not all doctors accept Medicare payments. Medicare provides a searchable list of physicians and clinical professionals that work with them.

Does Medicare Pay for Eye Drops After Cataract Surgery?

Prescription medications such as eye drops needed after cataract surgery can be covered by Medicare. This is available if you have chosen a Medicare Drug Plan that includes your medication. If you want to find out if your Medicare insurance covers the medications you use, you can look up your plan on the Medicare Plan Finder.

Does Medicare Cover Second Opinions for Cataract Surgery?

Medicare covers second opinion consultations for corrective surgical procedures for eligible clients. A third opinion consultation may also be covered if the first and second opinions are different from each other.

Watch this video from InsuredMeds.com to know more about cataract surgery:

For other cataract surgery concerns best detailed in confidence like billing, claims, and medical records, Medicare has a client care hotline. A teletypewriter and message relay center for the speech and hearing impaired are also available.

Have you used Medicare to cover your cataract surgery? Tell us your story in the comments section below!

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