Eye Care Refraction

[mtdjed]

All of our costs for eye care visits to eye care provider seem to be covered by Medicare and our Medicare Supplement except the cost for "Refraction" which most recently was billed at $60. As far as I recollect, that has always been the case.

Just wondering if some "knowledgeable person" has a clear knowledge of this issue?

It was always a question as to why it is not covered but I have never pursued the reason until now (Slow day). While I read the reasons, I interpret that refractions are recognized as essential, they are considered to be part of the cost of "The Visit" and not separately covered. It appears that the Visit" is billed by the provider by a code which seems to be a function of visit time i.e short, long. A scan for disease is also covered but the cost for the refraction is (listed as a test) is not covered. Is this a billing code issue or just the way it is?

[manaboutown]

$60 for a refraction is a bargain IMHO - less than a tank of gasoline these days. In my experience at age 80 Medicare and the UHC supplement have never covered it.

[retiredguy123]

Refractions must not be essential because The Florida Retina Institute, which does a lot of opthalmologist eye exams, does not do refractions. They will refer you to an optometrist.

[retiredguy123]

Note that, if you go to an opthalmologist and get a refraction and prescription as part of your exam, it will probably be performed by a technician, who is neither an opthalmologist or an optometrist.