How Your Vision Benefit Works
Know What’s Covered and How to Use Your Allowance
Original Medicare generally does not cover routine eye exams or eyewear. Elderplan Advantage for Nursing Home Residents (HMO-POS I-SNP) adds routine vision Coverage with a $150 yearly allowance you can use for routine eye exams and eyewear (eyeglasses or contact lenses) right on your OTC card.
Your Vision Benefit at a Glance
| [$150] Annual Allowance Through Your Flex Benefit |
|---|
| The annual allowance covers both your routine eye exam AND your prescription eyewear — combined. Your full allowance is available at the start of the plan year and resets on January 1 each year. Unused funds expire on December 31 and do not carry over to the following year. The allowance also expires if you disenroll from the plan. |
How to Use Your Vision Benefit
Using your vision benefit is straightforward. You do not need a referral from your Primary Care Provider. You are not required to use a specific vision network to receive these benefits.
- Find an Eye Doctor. Use the search tool on the Find an Eye Doctor page to locate a provider, or choose any Medicare-approved eye doctor.
- Schedule your appointment. Call the provider directly. Let them know you are a member of Elderplan Advantage for Nursing Home Residents and that you have a $150 routine vision allowance.
- Your provider deducts costs from your prepaid card. Your routine vision allowance is loaded onto the OTC Card. The provider applies the cost of your covered services to the card up to your annual limit. If your costs exceed the limit, you are responsible for the difference.