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Cataract surgery

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) may cover cataract surgery that implants conventional intraocular lenses, depending on where you live.

  • Covered by Part B

Description

Cataract surgery removes a cloudy natural lens from your eye and, in most cases, replaces it with a clear artificial lens.

Coverage details

Medicare doesn’t usually cover eyeglasses or contact lenses. However, Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers one pair of eyeglasses with standard frames (or one set of contact lenses) after each cataract surgery that implants an intraocular lens.

Costs

  • For covered cataract surgery in a hospital outpatient setting or ambulatory surgical center: After you meet the Part B deductible , you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount to both the facility and the doctor who performs your surgery.
  • For covered cataract surgery you get in a doctor’s office: After you meet the Part B deductible, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for both the intraocular lens and the surgery to implant it.