The main cause of blindness is due to cataracts, according to the World Health Organization. Cataracts are most common later in life but they can arise at any age. It’s a good idea to comprehend what the symptoms and treatments of Cataracts are if you are enrolled in Medicare.
Always check in with your medical provider as this article is used for informational purposes only.
What are cataracts and why will you need cataract surgery?
When your eyes’ natural lenses have clouding, that is a cataract. Cataracts will obstruct with light coming through your retina. The eye lens will become more and more hazy once cataracts form. Cataracts can form in one eye or both.
Tip: If you have cataracts, then you may want to look into a Medigap or Medicare Advantage plan. This is because you can have lower out-of-pocket costs and greater coverage. Medicare Part B benefits generally cover Outpatient cataract surgery. And Medicare Part A generally covers inpatient surgery.
The factors that cause cataracts are unknown. But, changes associated with aging and lens proteins are leading factors to cataracts.
What are the symptoms of cataracts?
Here are the symptoms that are regularly associated with cataracts:
- Double vision: The degree of cloudiness in one part of the eye over another can cause double vision.
- Your perception of sunlight, colors, and headlights may change with cataracts.
Symptoms:
- Cloudy or blurry vision
- Dim vision, especially at night
- Sensitivity to light and glare
- Needing brighter light for reading
- Seeing “halos” around lights
- Colors fade or appear yellow
- Double vision in one of your eyes
Please note that having these symptoms does not automatically signify that you have cataracts.
What are the types of cataracts?
- Posterior subcapsular cataracts: The cataracts form at the back of the lens
- Cortical cataracts: The cataracts will surround the center of the eye, affecting the cortex.
- Multiple cataracts: The cataracts will form in more than one part of the eye.
- Nuclear cataracts: The cataracts will form in the central part of the eye.
Should you treat your cataracts with surgery?
Surgery is the Doctor’s recommended treatment for cataracts. Surgery for cataracts is normally carried out on one eye at a time if you have cataracts in both eyes. Please note that if your vision improves with cataract surgery in one eye, your doctor may opt out on surgery for the second eye.
Cataract surgery is pretty much the replacement of the affected natural lens with an artificial lens. The surgery is normally done on an outpatient basis. Every year, many people remove their cataracts and most surgeries are free of problems and successful. However, always consult with your medical provider about the risks of these surgeries.
The artificial lens that replaces the affected lens cannot develop a new cataract. That is why Cataract surgery is popular because it normally provides a lifelong solution to the problem.
In the weeks after your cataract surgery, your vision will likely keep improving. Your doctor will determine if you still will need reading glasses weeks after the cataract surgery.
There may be non-surgical options that Medicare can cover to treat cataracts. You may not need to have surgery at all. Consult with your doctor if you can get other options to treat your cataracts. The type and necessity of your cataracts will determine the need for surgery or not.
Does Medicare cover your cataract surgery?
People over age 65 will usually have surgery to correct their cataracts. Read on to see how Medicare covers the treatment of cataracts.
Medicare will pay for the surgery to remove cataracts, but Medicare only covers costs associated with the cataracts. For example, Medicare will not pay for a non-Medicare covered condition you developed before cataracts. You might treat that condition during the same surgery but your bill will be separate from what Medicare will cover.
Medicare will cover the Medicare-approved fees from your ophthalmologist and the facility. The ophthalmologist (different from optometrist) will perform the surgery for cataracts. The amount you will pay is a Medicare deductible and a 20% Medicare Part B coinsurance for the surgery.
Tip: If you want specialized lenses during cataract surgery, you may have to pay an additional cost. Original Medicare generally will only cover standard intraocular lenses, not upgraded lenses.
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You will have a pre-surgery exam with your doctor to discuss anesthesia during the surgery and your cataracts. Any follow-up care that you need after the surgery, Medicare will cover it. You must pay your amount responsible before Medicare pays its share. This will include any Medicare deductible and the 20% Medicare coinsurance.
Does Medicare cover eyeglasses for cataracts
After your surgery, Medicare will cover your contact lenses, intraocular lenses, and eyeglasses to handle cataracts. However, Medicare will most likely not pay for any routine vision correction.
For eyeglasses: Standard frames only have full coverage from Medicare Part B. If you want more expensive frames, Medicare will only cover the Medicare-approved amount. You will pay the rest. Consult with your doctor to see what frames Medicare covers.
If your supplier does not have a Medicare supplier number then Medicare won’t cover your claim. So, be sure that Medicare has your supplier enrolled in their system and that your supplier has a Medicare supplier number.
You will pay your Medicare deductible, plus the 20% of the amount approved by Medicare (Part B coinsurance). Contact your doctor to send the invoice for your contact lenses or eyeglasses to Medicare.
If you want more information on what Medicare covers for cataracts treatment and surgery. Then call Medicare at 1–800-MEDICARE.