Cataract surgery
Medicare may cover cataract surgery that implants conventional intraocular lenses, depending on where you live. 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.
Your costs in Original Medicare
- 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.
What it is
Cataract surgery removes a cloudy natural lens from your eye and, in most cases, replaces it with a clear artificial lens.
Things to know
If Medicare covers cataract surgery in your area, you can get it using traditional surgical techniques or lasers.