August is National Eye Exam Month — a good reminder that routine vision care is one of the most overlooked coverage gaps in Medicare. Most people assume their Medicare plan covers their annual eye exam and a pair of glasses. For a lot of beneficiaries, it does not, or it covers much less than they expect. Here is a clear look at what is covered, what is not, and what you can do about it.
What Original Medicare Covers for Vision
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) is not designed for routine eye care. Part B will cover a comprehensive eye exam once a year if you have diabetes or are considered at high risk for glaucoma. It covers certain diagnostic eye exams ordered by a physician for medical reasons — but not an annual wellness visit to update your glasses prescription.
There is one notable exception: if you have cataract surgery, Medicare Part B covers the procedure and the intraocular lens implanted during surgery. If you need eyeglasses or contact lenses after cataract surgery, Medicare will also cover one pair of standard frames or one set of contact lenses. That is a meaningful benefit — but it applies only in the context of that surgery.
Medicare Advantage Often Includes Routine Vision
Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) frequently include routine vision coverage that Original Medicare does not offer. Many plans cover an annual eye exam at no additional cost and provide an annual allowance — typically $100 to $300 — toward glasses or contact lenses. Some plans offer more generous benefits, especially for beneficiaries on lower incomes.
As with hearing benefits, vision coverage varies considerably from plan to plan and even year to year. A plan that covered your frames at a certain allowance in 2026 may adjust that benefit in 2027. And many plans work with specific vision networks — VSP, EyeMed, or others — so your eye doctor needs to be in-network for the benefit to apply.
What About Medigap?
Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plans do not add vision coverage. They are built to cover cost-sharing under Original Medicare — deductibles, copays, coinsurance. Since Original Medicare does not cover routine eye exams or glasses (outside the cataract surgery exception), there is nothing for Medigap to supplement in this area. If you have Medigap, you likely need to look elsewhere for vision coverage.
Stand-Alone Vision Plans and Other Options
If your current plan does not include vision coverage — or does not cover enough — there are a few other avenues worth exploring.
Stand-alone vision plans are available to people on Medicare and can be purchased year-round. Many are affordable, with premiums starting under $20 per month, and they cover routine exams, frames, and contacts. These are not part of Medicare itself, so they do not have an enrollment window tied to October 15.
Some states also have programs that help low-income Medicare beneficiaries with vision costs. Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and other states in our service area each have their own programs — it is worth a conversation to find out if you or a family member qualifies.
AARP and other senior membership organizations also negotiate vision discounts that can make a meaningful difference if you are paying out of pocket.
August Is a Good Time to Check
The Annual Election Period — when you can switch Medicare Advantage plans or move between Original Medicare and Advantage — opens October 15. If your current plan has a vision gap, August is a smart time to take stock before the window opens.
Give us a call at (401) 413-4183 or schedule a check-in. We can review what your current plan covers, compare it to what is available in your area, and make sure you are not missing a benefit you are entitled to — or paying more than you need to.