Are Glaucoma Screenings Covered By Medicare?

Glaucoma is the cause of approximately 10% of cases of total blindness in the U.S. It mainly affects people over the age of 65; in fact, the American Academy of Family Physicians notes that about 75% of those who are legally blind because of glaucoma are older adults. What’s worse is that doctors believe that about half of all people with glaucoma have yet to be diagnosed. In order to help save your sight, it is important to get screened for this disorder. If you have Medicare Part B, then you need to know how glaucoma screenings are covered.

illustration of an eye with it partially open showing the nerves and inside
Glaucoma mainly affects people over 65 years old, and can cause blindness.

What Is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma damages the optic nerve at the back of the eye and can lead to partial vision loss or blindness. It is often hereditary. There are three different types of glaucoma:

  • Primary open-angle glaucoma- causes gradual vision loss, and typically has no other signs or symptoms.
  • Normal tension glaucoma- the nerve is damaged even if there is no high fluid pressure in the eye. Eyesight changes in the center of the person’s vision.
  • Angle-closure glaucoma– a rarer type that develops quickly when fluid cannot drain from the eye. Symptoms include nausea, eye pain, headache, and sudden loss of vision.

Vision loss can happen gradually, so you may not notice anything until the damage is already done. This is why it is important to get screened for glaucoma regularly.

The Test

Glaucoma screenings are fairly simple. The doctor will put drops in your eyes to dilate them and then will use instruments to conduct the following tests:

caucasian woman looking into eye machine to look at an other womans eye that has a laser light on it

  • Tonometry: measures fluid pressure behind your eye.
  • Ophthalmoscopy: examines your optic nerve.
  • Perimetry: tests your peripheral vision.
  • Gonioscopy: inspects the angle where your iris and cornea meet.
  • Pachymetry: measures the thickness of your cornea.

Medicare Coverage & Costs

Medicare part B will cover one glaucoma screening test every 12 months if you’re considered high-risk. High-risk individuals are those who:

  • Are over the age of 60 
  • Have diabetes
  • Have a family history of glaucoma
  • Are African American and age 50 or older
  • Are Hispanic American and age 65 or older

Once you have met your deductible, Medicare will pay for 80% of the screening, and you will pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for the test. If the test is done in an outpatient setting, you might also be responsible for any facility charges. If you require surgery to treat the glaucoma,  Medicare Part A will pay for it.

hundred dollar bill sticking out of a wallet.
Medicare Supplement Plans will help pay for what Original Medicare does not cover, which puts more money back in your wallet.

Medicare Supplement Plan

As with most medical services, Medicare only covers 80% of glaucoma screenings. The 20% that you have to pay out-of-pocket for services can start to add up, especially if you are living on a fixed income. Medicare Supplement Plans help cover the gaps in your Medicare coverage, including your 20% out-of-pocket payments. There are 10 different Medicare Supplement Plans to choose from, all with different coverage at different price points. This means that you will be sure to find  one that suits your needs.

To easily compare Medicare Supplement Plans in minutes, and to find an affordable plan that helps you save hundreds of dollars, talk to an EZ agent. Our agent will do all the work for you, inform you of the differences between each plan, and help you figure out which one will best suit your financial and medical needs. There is no obligation, just free quotes. Start comparing quotes for free by entering your zip code in the bar above, or to speak directly to one of our licensed agents, call 888-753-7207.