What Does Medicare Cover with Cataract Surgery?

 Understanding Medicare cover for cataract surgery can be a little challenging. What does it cover? Is there any excess? Indeed, will my policy cover me at all?

The simple answer to Medicare and cataract surgery is that, in the vast majority of cases, cataract removal procedures are covered. However, the type of operation you choose to have is where confusion can start. 

The following discusses what you need to know about Medicare coverage, cataract surgery, and everything that surrounds the treatment.

Medicare and Cataract Surgery 101 

• The different types of cataract surgery
• What does Medicare cover with cataract surgery? Your options
• The Medicare-self-fund hybrid.

The different types of cataract surgery 

Before we can move on to what Medicare covers, it’s necessary to understand the two different procedures available. These are known as traditional cataract surgery and laser-assisted cataract surgery.

Both address the issue of cataracts. They remove the diseased lens and replace it with an artificial alternative. This is known as an intraocular lens (IOL). 

The difference between the two is in the intricacies of the procedure and the type of IOL.

In a traditionally performed operation, the surgeon guides the laser that makes the incision near the cornea. Another laser is then used to break down the diseased lens before it’s suctioned out. The new lens is manually inserted and sited. 

In a laser-assisted procedure, the interior geography of the eye is mapped by computer. The laser is then guided by this program to make the incision. The same one then carries out the destruction of the diseased lens. Siting the IOL is more precise, thanks to the computer program. This precision means that more advanced IOLs can be used—the same laser can even be used to treat astigmatism during the same procedure.

What does Medicare cover with cataract surgery? Your options 

OK… So now we’ve defined the difference between traditional and laser cataract surgery, let’s get down to the Medicare details.

While you should absolutely confirm this before proceeding with any operation, the basic premise of Medicare is that it will cover the costs of a traditional cataract operation. In addition, you should also be covered for a single pair of eyeglasses that will likely be needed for either near or far vision requirements. 

What Medicare doesn’t cover is the cost of the more expensive laser-assisted procedure. They also won’t fund more advanced IOLs that provide multi-focal vision without supportive lenses.

There are many different types of IOLs. However, this is a whole other subject entirely! Suffice to say, the lenses that are inserted during a traditional operation are mono-focal. This means that you’ll have clear visibility at either a near or far distance (you and your surgeon will agree on which before your operation). You’ll then have a pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses to support this. 

The Medicare-self fund hybrid

One thing that many people take advantage of is to let Medicare pay the amount of a traditional procedure with a mono-focal lens. But they upgrade to the more advanced laser-assisted option, funding this part themselves. 

That way, you benefit from the tailored operation that you choose, yet you don’t have to front the whole cost yourself. Even if you think that a traditional cataract operation is the way forward, you might want to discuss the options with your ophthalmologist before you decide.

Get Medicare Funded Cataract Surgery at the West Boca Eye Center 

At the WBEC, we can provide Medicare-funded cataract operations, insurance-funded, self-funded, and the hybrid Medicare self-fund option.

Everyone’s financial circumstances are different—just like everybody’s cataract removal procedure is different. As a leading global clinical facility, we’re the go-to location for the very best cataract care.  

Head to https://www.westbocaeyecenter.com/services/cataract-surgery for more information.

 Understanding Medicare cover for cataract surgery can be a little challenging. What does it cover? Is there any excess? Indeed, will my policy cover me at all?