Does Medicare Cover Cataract Surgery?

While Original Medicare (Parts A & B) doesn’t provide vision coverage for routine eye care, it does help pay for cataract surgery if done using traditional surgical techniques or lasers. Surgery may be needed when a cataract causes vision loss that affects daily activities like reading or driving.

What Is A Cataract?

A cataract is a clouding of the lens in your eye. Early cataracts are small and do not affect vision, though they may be detected in an eye exam.

As a cataract grows over time, it clouds more of the eye lens and affects vision. Vision changes caused by cataracts may include:

• Cloudy or blurry vision
• Faded or dull colors
• Bright glare from headlights, lamps, or sunlight
• Difficulty seeing at night
• Double vision

How Much Does Medicare Pay for Cataract Surgery?

Medicare Part B covers 80 percent of the Medicare-approved costs for cataract surgery after the Part B deductible is met. A Medicare supplement plan may help with some costs not paid by Medicare.

Costs for cataract surgery with a Medicare Advantage plan will depend on the plan. Many plans offer coverage for routine eye care as well. Call the number on the back of your member ID card to talk to a customer service representative about your plan’s coverage for cataract surgery and eye care overall.

If you do need cataract surgery, you may also want to read “Will Medicare Cover Prescription Lenses, Glasses or Sunglasses?”