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Does Medicare Cover Cataract Surgery?
Standard cataract surgery is covered under Part B — premium lens upgrades generally aren't.
Talk to a Licensed Agent: (302) 407-0876What's Covered
Medicare Part B covers cataract surgery when it's medically necessary, including the pre-op exam, anesthesia, removal of the clouded lens, and a standard monofocal intraocular lens implant. Medicare also covers one pair of glasses or contacts after surgery, plus follow-up care for up to a year.
You'll typically pay the Part B deductible plus 20% coinsurance for the covered portion of the surgery. If you choose a premium lens option — such as a toric lens for astigmatism or a presbyopia-correcting lens, or laser-assisted surgery — those upgrades are extra and generally not covered by Medicare.
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Call (302) 407-0876Reducing Your Out-of-Pocket Cost
A Medigap policy can help cover the 20% coinsurance for cataract surgery, and a Medicare Advantage plan will have its own cost-sharing structure that may differ from Original Medicare's — check your specific plan's coverage before scheduling.
Cataracts become increasingly common with age, affecting roughly one in five people by 65 and about half of people by 80, so it's a procedure many Medicare beneficiaries eventually need — worth understanding your coverage ahead of time rather than during a rushed decision.
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