Are vision benefits part of my plan?
Who is this for?
If you’re 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 (Part A and Part B) 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 (Part C) 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.
- Some private health insurance companies offer buy-up vision options for those with a Medicare Supplement plan. What’s covered depends on your plan and what the carrier offers.
BCN AdvantageSM
Most of our BCN Advantage plans include routine eye exams. Our HMO-POS Prestige and HMO-POS Classic plans also cover part of the cost of eyeglass frames, lenses and contacts. With BCN Advantage plans, you have the option to buy an optional supplemental plan that includes frames, lenses and contacts. It also includes dental and hearing benefits.
Learn more about how to get extra coverage for your HMO or HMO-POS plan.
Medicare Plus BlueSM
All of our Medicare Plus Blue plans cover routine eye exams. Our PPO Assure, PPO Signature and PPO Vitality plans also cover part of the cost of eyeglass frames, lenses and contacts. Corrective eyewear is not a benefit of our PPO Essential plan. With PPO plans, you also have the option to buy an optional supplemental plan that includes frames, lenses and contacts. It also includes dental.
Learn more about how to get extra coverage for your PPO plan.
Blue Cross Medicare Supplement or Legacy Medigap
Blue Cross Medicare Supplement plans do not include routine eye exams. You may choose to pair a new or existing Blue Cross Medicare Supplement or Legacy Medigap plan with the Dental Vision Hearing Package that includes coverage for an exam and lenses, and an allowance for frames or contact lenses. It also includes dental and hearing benefits.
Learn more about how to get coverage for your Blue Cross Medicare Supplement or Legacy Medigap plan.
This is a solicitation of insurance. We may contact you about buying insurance. Blue Cross Medicare Supplement plans aren’t connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.
Important information about your plan
The Medicare deductibles, coinsurance and copays listed are based on the 2023 numbers approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. You can go to any hospital, doctor or other health care provider in the U.S. or its territories that accepts medicare. You don't have to use our network. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan administers Blue Cross medicare Supplement plans. Where you live, your age, gender and whether you use nicotine products (including e-cigarettes, vaping, and nicotine patches or gum) may affect what you pay for your plan. Your health status may also affect what you pay. This is a solicitation of insurance. We may contact you about buying insurance. Blue Cross Medicare Supplement plans aren't connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.
If you're currently enrolled in Plan A or Plan C, you can stay with your plan as long as you pay your premium. You may enroll in Plan C if you've lost coverage under a group policy after becoming eligible for Medicare. You're also eligible if you had Plan C, then enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, and now would like to return to Plan C. You can do this as long as it's within the first 12 months of your Medicare Advantage plan. You're automatically eligible for Plan A if you're 65 or older. If you're under age 65, you are eligible for Plan A if you've lost coverage under a group policy after becoming eligible for Medicare. You can also enroll if you had Plan A, then enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, and now would like to return to Plan A. You can do this as long as it's within the first 12 months of your Medicare Advantage plan. You'll need to meet these requirements to apply for these plans.
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