What Original Medicare covers
| Service | Covered by Part B? |
|---|---|
| Exams and treatment for eye diseases and injuries, such as macular degeneration or glaucoma | Yes, with the deductible and 20% coinsurance |
| Glaucoma test once every 12 months | Yes, with coinsurance, if you are at high risk: diabetes, a family history of glaucoma, African American and 50 or older, or Hispanic and 65 or older |
| Diabetic eye exam once a year | Yes, if you have diabetes |
| Cataract surgery and one pair of glasses or contacts afterward | Yes, standard frames, from a Medicare-enrolled supplier |
| Routine eye exam (refraction) for glasses or contacts | No |
| Eyeglasses or contacts, except after cataract surgery | No |
Part B's deductible is $283 in 2026. Medigap policies help with the coinsurance on covered care but don't add routine vision coverage.
Medicare Advantage vision benefits
Medicare Advantage plans must cover the same medical eye care as Original Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans may offer extra benefits such as dental, vision, hearing or fitness. Extra benefits vary by plan and county, may have limits and costs, and not every plan offers them. Check a plan's Summary of Benefits or Evidence of Coverage. If a plan includes routine vision, check which eye doctors are in its network. Plan choices differ a lot across Oregon; see your county page.
If you also have OHP
For adults 21 and older with OHP Plus benefits, which includes most people with both OHP and Medicare, the Oregon Health Plan covers:
- A routine vision exam once every 24 months.
- Medical eye exams and diagnostic services for eye conditions.
- Glasses or contacts for non-pregnant adults only for certain conditions, such as aphakia, pseudoaphakia (after cataract surgery) or keratoconus.
Medicare pays first for covered eye care. Your CCO or OHP Client Services (1-800-273-0557) can tell you what OHP adds. See Medicare and OHP together.
Tips
- Tell the eye doctor's office if you have a medical eye problem; a medical visit and a routine exam are billed differently.
- To compare plans from the companies they work with, including their vision benefits, you can request a call from a licensed insurance agent.
Related questions
Does Medicare cover cataract surgery in Oregon?
Surgery, lenses and glasses after.
Does Medicare cover hearing aids in Oregon?
Another common gap.
Does Medicare cover dental in Oregon?
What Medicare leaves out.
Sources
- Medicare.gov — Eye exams (routine)
- Medicare.gov — Eyeglasses and contact lenses
- Medicare.gov — Glaucoma screenings
- Oregon Health Authority — OHP eye and vision care
More questions in this guide
- Does Medicare cover acupuncture in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover ambulance service in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover annual physicals in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover assisted living in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover bone density tests in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover cataract surgery in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover chiropractic care in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover a colonoscopy in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover CPAP machines in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover dental care in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover diabetic supplies in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover flu shots in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover hearing aids in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover home health care in Oregon?
- Does Medicare pay for in-home caregivers in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover mammograms in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover me when I travel or spend winters outside Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover medical marijuana in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover memory care in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover mental health care in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover naturopathic doctors in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover nursing home care in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover oxygen therapy in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover physical therapy in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover prostate cancer screening in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover psilocybin therapy in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover skilled nursing care in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover the shingles vaccine in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover transportation to medical appointments in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover wheelchairs in Oregon?
Part of the guide: Learn Medicare — the Oregon starter guide · All questions
Frequently asked questions
Does Medicare cover LASIK?
No. Original Medicare doesn't cover surgery to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism when the goal is to stop wearing glasses.
Is the lens implant in cataract surgery covered?
Yes. Medicare covers a standard intraocular lens with cataract surgery. If you choose a premium lens, such as one that corrects astigmatism, you may pay the extra cost, so ask for it in writing first.
Does OHP cover glasses for adults with Medicare?
OHP covers a routine eye exam once every 24 months for adults with OHP Plus benefits, but glasses or contacts for non-pregnant adults only for certain conditions, such as after cataract surgery or keratoconus.
Medicare in your Oregon county
Plans, local agents and help, county by county: Multnomah · Washington · Clackamas · Lane · Marion · Jackson · Deschutes · Linn · Douglas · Yamhill · Benton · Polk · Josephine · Umatilla · Klamath · Coos · Columbia · Lincoln · Clatsop · Malheur · All 36 counties →
