Does Medicare Cover Cataract Surgery?
Last Updated : 09/12/2018
Cataracts are strongly linked to aging, and many people develop them in one or both eyes as they get older. In fact, according to the National Eye Institute, half of all Americans will either develop a cataract or have had cataract surgery by age 80.
How to Determine What Costs Medicare Will Cover
Although original Medicare covers most of the cost of cataract surgery, it is hard for any insurance company to know exactly what the surgical costs will be in advance. Medicare recommends the following steps on their website to ensure you know what will be covered and what you may have to pay out of pocket:
- Ask your eye doctor, surgeon, or hospital about the specific costs of surgery and postoperative care.
- Determine if you will need inpatient or outpatient care since they are covered by different Parts. Cataract surgery is typically outpatient care, but there are rare instances when an overnight stay in the hospital may be required.
- Check with your other insurance programs, through Part C or otherwise, if they cover any aspects of cataract surgery.
- Check your Part A deductible.
- Check your Part B deductible because this part covers one pair of glasses or set of contact lenses to help your vision after cataract surgery in addition to other outpatient costs.
If you have Medicare coverage and your doctor determines that cataract surgery is medically necessary, Medicare covers the procedure to remove the cataract, as well as doctor services and related care following your surgery. You may be responsible for certain costs, including deductibles, copayments, and/or coinsurance.
VISUAL RESEARCH CAN HELP PAY.
REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE RELATED TO VISION
To: The Officers of the California Visual Research Foundation, Inc., of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows:
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
(Please Print)
I, (name)_______________________________________________, a member of
_____________________________________Lodge No. _________
in (city)____________________ California, am in need of the following assistance relating to vision, which
exceeds my current financial resources:
____ Financial aid in order for me to see an ophthalmologist.
____ I do not have Medicare or other Insurance.
____ I cannot afford the co-pay for Medicare or my Insurance.
____ A referral from my ophthalmologist to the Wilmer Eye Institute. Please provide a Referral Form. My Lodge will send it and a letter confirming my status to my Ophthalmologist.
(name)______________________________________________________________
(address)________________________________________________________
(city)______________________________________________ , CA ____________
____ Financial aid for a vision test and/or the purchase of eye glasses.
____ An Apple iPad: A portable Tablet that enlarges and has a stand to use on a desk.
____ A lighted magnifying lens (a Big Eye Lamp) to aid me in reading or doing close work.
_____ Other: ______________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Signed: ______________________________________________________
Phone: Home / Cell ( ) ________________________________
Email:_______________________________________________________________
Mailing Address:____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
City, State, Zip: _____________________________________________________
**Attested: This request was reviewed by an appropriate committee of our lodge and approved by vote of the Lodge on:
(Date)____________________,20________
(Lodge Seal) ________________________________________, Noble Grand
(**attested) ____________________________________________, Secretary
_____________________________________________Lodge No. _________
- Mail completed form to: Grand Lodge of California,
- 122 Race Street, San Jose CA 95126-3040
- Phone 408-867-0231 FAX 408-867-6272
- or Email form to: marlang@msn.com
- Visual Research Director: Mary Lou Lang
- 11220 Monterey CT, Cupertino, CA 95014
- Retain a copy of this form for your files. Updated 11/2019
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