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 Select (HMO-POS I-SNP/IE-SNP) adds a $150 supplemental vision allowance for routine eye exams, eyeglasses or contact lenses right on your OTC Card.
Your Vision Benefit at a Glance
| $150 Annual Allowance of Flex Spending Alternative |
|---|
| The annual allowance covers both your routine eye exam and 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.
- 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 doctor directly. Let them know you are an Elderplan Select member and that you have a $150 routine vision allowance.
- Your provider deducts costs from your prepaid card. Your routine vision allowance is loaded onto a prepaid allowance 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.