Protect your vision — and your independence
Original Medicare doesn't cover routine eye exams or eyewear. Add vision coverage and make sure you're never choosing between seeing clearly and paying bills.
Vision loss is one of the leading causes of falls, accidents, and loss of independence in seniors. The right glasses — and the right coverage — make an enormous difference.
Medicare doesn't protect your eyesight
Original Medicare covers eye exams only in specific medical situations — like diagnosing diabetes-related eye disease or glaucoma for high-risk patients. Routine eye exams to update your prescription? Not covered. New glasses or contact lenses? Not covered.
For most Medicare beneficiaries, this means paying $150–$250 out of pocket for an annual eye exam, plus the full cost of frames and lenses on top of that. Over several years, that adds up to thousands of dollars in uncovered vision expenses.
A standalone vision plan typically costs $12–$20 per month and covers your annual exam in full, plus a meaningful allowance for frames and lenses. It's one of the most straightforward and affordable coverage additions available to Medicare beneficiaries.
Annual eye exams — covered in full
Most vision plans cover one comprehensive eye exam per year at 100% — including refraction testing to update your prescription. Early detection of conditions like glaucoma, macular degeneration, and cataracts can prevent serious vision loss.
- Annual comprehensive exam fully covered
- Refraction and prescription updates included
- Early detection of glaucoma and cataracts
Frames and lenses — an annual allowance
Vision plans provide a yearly allowance for frames and lenses — typically $100–$200 — usable at major optical retailers like LensCrafters, Visionworks, Costco Optical, and thousands of independent providers.
- $100–$200 annual eyewear allowance
- Accepted at major optical retailers
- Applies to frames, lenses, or both
Contact lenses included as an alternative
If you prefer contact lenses to glasses, most vision plans apply your annual allowance to contacts instead — including both the fitting fee and the lenses themselves. You choose what works best for your lifestyle.
- Contact lens fitting covered
- Annual supply of contacts on most plans
- Same allowance as frames and lenses
Getting vision coverage is simple
Tell us your vision needs
Do you wear glasses or contacts? Do you have a preferred eye doctor? Tell us what matters most.
We find the right plan
We compare vision plans available in your area and match you with the one that covers your preferred provider.
Enroll and get covered
Coverage typically begins the first of the following month. Some plans have same-month effective dates.
Book your first eye exam
Schedule your annual exam and use your eyewear allowance on new frames or contacts.
Vision coverage questions, answered
See more clearly — and spend less doing it
Get a vision plan quote for your area. Free guidance from licensed specialists — no cost to you.
Free service · No obligation · Licensed specialists