Posted by: Mann Eye in Cataracts
If you’re over the age of 50, asking whether Medicare covers cataract surgery is a wise move. After all, cataracts are the leading cause of blindness worldwide and as you get older, your risk of developing cataracts only increases. Today, cataracts affect more than 22 million Americans age 50 and older, and as the U.S. population ages, more than 30 million Americans are expected to have cataracts by the year 2020. This, according to Prevent Blindness America.
Here at Mann Eye Institute, one of our core values is educating patients about their vision challenges and conditions as well as their treatment options. We want our patients to have all the information they want and need to make an informed decision. Our goal is always for you to See Life Better.
To the question “Does Medicare cover cataract surgery?”, there is a short answer and a long answer. Here, we will dive into both.
Cataract Surgery and Medicare Coverage – Uncovered
The short answer: Yes. According to Medicare.gov, cataract surgery is considered medically necessary. Since cataracts cannot be treated with medication, diet or eye drops, and they will not heal on their own, surgery is the only option. More than 2 million men and women undergo cataract surgery in America every year, making the procedure one of the most common and most successful medical procedures in the U.S. today. So, yes, traditional cataract surgery with standard lens replacement is covered by Medicare and most insurances.
The long answer: Still yes, but there are some optional advanced features—upgrades if you will—that are not covered expenses. Examples of out-of-pocket expenses include the selection of a premium lens (we call them Active Life Lenses) versus a standard lens. Or the selection of laser-assisted cataract surgery versus traditional cataract surgery.
Our experienced team can help you maximize your benefits and select an affordable financing plan for any portion of your cataract procedure not covered by Medicare and private insurance.
Why Laser Cataract Surgery?
Incorporating a sophisticated laser system into cataract surgery takes it to a whole new level! Laser cataract surgery improves the precision of many key surgical steps and customizes the procedure to provide the opportunity for more desirable visual outcomes and potentially make cataract surgery simpler, with fewer complications and faster recovery. It is also capable of treating astigmatism during the procedure.
Why an Active Life Lens?
Advances in lens exchange procedures allow people just like you to continue to live your life how YOU want to live it. At Mann Eye Institute, we offer a variety of Active Life Lens procedures that can correct your cataracts AND get you out of your glasses or bifocals.
We call that a Win-Win.
Where a basic lens can be placed once the cloudy lens (cataract) is removed, a basic lens is just that. It’s a clear lens that restores vision to the level it was prior to the development of cataracts. That means, if you needed to wear glasses, bifocals or readers before cataract surgery, then if you choose a basic lens, you will still need to wear glasses, bifocals or readers even after cataract surgery.
But today, there are more choices than ever in lens types to best suit needs and lifestyle. Our Active Life Lenses offer many advantages, including the benefit of restoring vision to a greater degree than is possible using more basic lens procedures. Active Life Lenses allow the vast majority of patients the opportunity to see life better at a range of distances, including good eyesight at close range without the need for reading glasses or bifocals.
With our Active Life Lenses, we can customize each procedure to your individual vision needs and lifestyle. So, whether you love to play tennis, swim, hike or even enjoy a great book, we have a procedure tailor-made to give you the opportunity to See Life Better.
Why Mann Eye Institute?
Our surgeons are among the most experienced cataract surgeons in the country. For over 40 years, the accomplished refractive and cataract specialists at Mann Eye Institute have been at the forefront of vision correction. Our unwavering commitment to personalized patient care, advanced surgical expertise and outstanding results have earned us a reputation for excellence in eye care.
Are you ready to See Life Better? We’re ready to help. Schedule your cataract evaluation today.