If you’re enrolled in Colorado’s Medicaid program, you may be wondering what is covered for eye care. Whether you’re looking for routine eye exams, prescription glasses, or specialty services, understanding your Medicaid vision benefits is crucial to ensuring you take full advantage of the services available to you.
At the Eyecare Center of Ken Caryl, we accept Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) and can help you make the most of your vision benefits. Here’s a closer look at what’s covered to make sure you get the care you need.
What does Colorado Medicaid cover for vision care?
Colorado Medicaid offers a variety of vision benefits, with coverage depending on your specific needs and eligibility. For most Medicaid recipients in Littleton and across the state, the following vision services are typically covered:
1. Eye exams
Routine eye exams are an essential part of eye care. With Medicaid, you can get an eye exam once every 12 months at no cost. This benefit is available to both adults and children. Regular eye exams help catch issues early and keep your eyes healthy. Whether you’re seeing an optometrist or ophthalmologist, an exam can check for common problems like refractive errors, glaucoma, cataracts, and other eye conditions. At the Eyecare Center of Ken Caryl, our team is ready to provide comprehensive eye exams to ensure your vision is at its best and your eyes are healthy.
2. Prescription glasses
Eyeglasses are covered only after eye surgery, whether the surgery happened recently or at any time during your life. Colorado Medicaid will cover one or two single vision or multifocal clear plastic or polycarbonate lenses with one standard frame.
3. Contact lenses
For adults and children, contact lenses are only covered if vision cannot be corrected with glasses. These lenses must be medically necessary, and you’ll need a valid prescription from a qualifying provider.
4. Orthoptic and pleoptic vision therapy
Medicaid also covers orthoptic and pleoptic vision therapy for members ages 20 and younger who need it.
5. Eye health treatment
In addition to annual eye exams, Medicaid covers medically necessary follow-up appointments for eye conditions, such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, or cataracts. Coverage for medical treatments varies, so it’s important to discuss your specific needs with your eye care provider to ensure coverage.
How to use your Colorado Medicaid vision benefits in Littleton, CO
Here’s how you can make the most of your Medicaid vision benefits:
1. Find an in-network provider
To get the most out of your vision benefits, it’s essential to visit an eye care provider who accepts Medicaid. In Littleton, our optometrists at the Eyecare Center of Ken Caryl are familiar with Medicaid coverage and can help you understand your benefits. Visiting our Colorado Medicaid eye doctors can help you avoid unexpected costs.
2. Know what’s covered
Different Medicaid plans may have slightly different benefits, so it’s always a good idea to double-check what’s included in your plan. Your benefits may cover a variety of eye care services, but knowing the specifics—such as the frequency of exams and types of lenses covered—will help you avoid confusion when seeking care.
3. Ask about additional services
Some Medicaid plans offer extra services like discounts on specialty eyewear, low-cost lenses, or even coverage for more advanced treatments. Don’t hesitate to ask your provider about any additional perks that may be available to you.
Schedule an appointment today
The best way to maintain your vision health is through regular check-ups. Don’t wait until something goes wrong with your eyesight—schedule your annual eye exam at the Eyecare Center of Ken Caryl and take advantage of the preventive services Medicaid offers. Early detection can help treat conditions before they become more serious or costly.