Will Vision Insurance Cover Cataracts?

If you experience cataracts, your doctor might recommend a variety of temporary treatments. Cataracts are a progressive disease, nevertheless. Therefore, the need for surgery might eventually arise. If you have vision insurance, will it help you with some of the costs of cataracts?

A general answer to this question is yes. Vision insurance will cover many services related to cataracts.

But wait, your plan might not cover all your costs. You’ll likely use your vision insurance along with your health coverage to cover the care.
eye doctor putting red glasses on elderly woman

eye doctor putting red glasses on elderly woman

What are cataracts?
A cataract is a condition where the lens of your eye becomes clouded. Cataracts can occur in one or both eyes. It happens because of natural changes in your eyes that cause a breakdown of proteins and cloud the lens. Cataracts occur commonly, and millions of Americans have the condition.

The problem with cataracts is that as they worsen, they usually affect the patient’s vision. They might progress from slightly blurred vision to near-permanent blindness. Some people even experience pain if they leave the cataract untreated for too long. That’s why you need to see an eye doctor for routine care and management of the condition.

How does vision insurance help them?
Upon visiting your eye doctor for cataracts, you’ll likely want to use your insurance. If you have both vision insurance and a standard health plan, you might wonder which coverage to use.

Usually, both plans will work together to cover the majority of cataract services.

Your vision insurance will usually cover diagnostic testing along with certain treatments. It will also generally pay for regular checkups with an eye specialist. If you catch the cataracts early, you’ll usually be able to get by with a new prescription for glasses. Your vision plan will usually cover some or all the costs of glasses (both lenses and frames).
In cases of severe cataracts, one of the only ways to treat the condition is through surgery to replace the lens. Because this is a surgical procedure, the costs would fall under your health insurance. However, some vision plans offer a package that will pay for the surgery. During the operation, a new artificial lens will replace your clouded lens. It usually is simple, outpatient, and done using a local anesthesia.

There are many vision insurance plans out there. Each will provide a different amount of coverage (and out-of-pocket costs) for cataracts. Work closely with your insurer to determine the right one for you. That way, you can always keep your eyes healthy.

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