A routine eye exam is a good way to maintain healthy eyesight. However, if you have a serious eye condition that requires treatment, an eye exam can be very expensive.
Medicare does not cover annual eye exams or doctor appointments necessary for a full eye check. Instead, you must purchase your own copy of the Eye King book and have your doctor schedule an appointment for the exam.
This is fine as long as your doctor knows what conditions may cause blindness and can perform such an exam in a timely manner.
There are several companies that offer onlineEyeExams (http://www.online-eye-exams.com/) which you can take yourself.
Contents:
Why do you need one?
A eye exam is a good way to keep your eyes and eyesight healthy. Most people use an eye care device such as a camera or glasses but you can also have your eye exam with a handheld device.
At your doctor’s office, you will be asked to open your eyes slightly and look at something away from for 30 seconds to one minute while someone is examining your eyes. During this time, you will be asked if you see anything out of the ordinary and if you feel sleepy or disoriented.
If this happens to you, do not worry; the appointment is more for checkup than for an eye scan. The goal is to find any signs of trouble with the eyes, like problems with sight or soundness that need treatment.
What does Medicare cover?
Medicare covers many kinds of medical tests and treatments, including eye exams. Medicare does not cover non-emergency eye exams, so it is recommended that you get your eyes checked annually or monthly to be sure you are still covered.
Many doctor offices offer annual eye checks as part of the office setup, so it is easy to get your eyes checked every year. A monthly check may also be necessary if you have changed jobs or places of business over the past year, since your employer may no longer cover eye checks.
In general, eyes can be examined in the morning and at noon and night, depending on how you work and how long you work. Most people can get their eyes checked in the evenings around 8:30 PM–8:40 PM depending on how late they are working and how long they need to study for an exam.
The reason for the different times is that most school-age children are done learning material for lessons about what parts of the body they should look at during an exam.
Who can I see for an eye exam?
If you are 55 or older, you can see an ophthalmologist for an eye exam. Young adults can go to an eye doctor for a new eyegear prescription. Older adults can go to a physician for a new prescription for glasses or eyegear.
Many physicians will also do newer patient prescriptions directly. This is known as direct practice and does have some medical licenses that are granted, which means you can go to the doctor and have your eye exam done.
If you need an eye exam but do not want to go to the doctor, there are several companies that send eyes exams home instead. They can do an excellent job at making you feel comfortable and at home while still getting the exam done.
Where can I get more information about Medicare?
There are a few places where you can learn more about Medicare. You can visit your local Medicare office, enroll in the Medicare online benefits assessment and orientation program, or watch the video below to learn more.
These videos may help you feel more confident in your ability to navigate the new Medicare system.
What is an eye exam?
An eye exam is typically done for people on Medicare, though it can be done privately as well. Typically, a doctor will talk with the patient about their eyes during their visit, and then the doctor can perform an eye exam.
An eye exam can be used for checking your eyes while doing housework, or while you are just generally hunched over and working at your other side. It can also be used to check your eyes if you have been diagnosed with certain conditions, such as diabetes or ageRelated Eye Problems (such as dry or watery lens syndrome).
When does Medicare cover an eye exam?
Medicare does not cover an eye exam unless the doctor performs an examination using a machine. This is typically the case when there are specific needs such as Checking For Eyelid Disease or Check For Dry Eye Syndrome.
Mostly, doctors use their own machines when doing an eye exam for Medicare patients.
An eye exam can help find diseases, conditions, or damage to your eyes
There are many reasons to have an eye exam. The right exam can find many diseases, conditions, or damage to your eyes. Find out if you have eye diseases like glaucoma or cataract.
An eye exam can help find prescription lenses or contacts that work for you. If you need new lenses, find out if Medicare will cover the purchase. Or if you need new contacts, find out if Medicare will cover the replacement.
Finding what exercises are right for you can also help keep a exercise log and get appropriate exercise under way.
You should get your eyes checked once a year or every two years
If you have a very high risk eyesight, you should get your eyes checked annually. This can be thanks to Medicare, private insurance, or because annual eye exams are recommended for people with normal or high vision.
Medicare does not cover eye exams, so you must obtain new Medicare coverage at an eye doctor’s office or by attending an optometry clinic. Most optometrists and doctors of vision care also offer a Medicare coverage policy, making it a great way to get the exam every year.
yearly if possible, as sooner starting treatment can decrease the chance of developing dry eyes or other eye problems. Continued exposure to sunlight and water will help prevent dry eyes as well as keeping an eye on distance changes in vision. Research has shown that patients who go in every two years have a much higher chance of getting the necessary coverage from their doctor.
Some conditions that could be found during an eye exam include:
If you have a hard time getting your eyes checked for fear of losing sight in an eye exam, you may want to consider changing your prescription.
Although most people who need an eye examination get their eyes checked for distance vision, there are some people who cannot see very well and need an eye exam for this.
Some people have very poor depth perception and can’t find anything except the inside of their eye with their fine lens. Others have poor color perception and don’t want to take the time to check their iris or make sure it’s closed at the end of the examination.