Medicare Eye Exams at COVE, New Albany
Central Ohio Vision and Eyecare bills Medicare directly for medically necessary eye exams. Medicare is medical insurance, and it generally covers the exam itself when there’s a medical reason for your visit. One part of every exam, the refraction, is never covered by Medicare, and we explain that plainly below.
We’re an independent, locally owned practice in New Albany, and Drs. Matthew Karres, Amy Keller, and Kayli Dennis all see Medicare patients. See the full list of vision and medical insurance we accept →
Schedule your Medicare exam →
Yes, for medically necessary care.
Medicare is medical insurance, so it covers the exam itself when there’s a medical reason for the visit: diabetic eye monitoring, glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataract evaluation, a sudden change in vision, dry eye, or a flare-up of an existing eye condition. We bill Medicare directly for that portion of your visit.
No referral is needed for Original Medicare. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, check your plan for any referral or network requirements before scheduling.
Diabetic eye exams
Medicare covers an annual diabetic eye exam to screen for diabetic retinopathy. Learn more about diabetic eye exams →
Glaucoma monitoring
Ongoing glaucoma care and monitoring visits are an example of medically necessary care Medicare can cover. Learn more about glaucoma care →
Sudden or new symptoms
Flashes, floaters, sudden vision changes, or eye pain are examples of medical reasons for a visit.
Noticing a sudden change in your vision, new flashes or floaters, or eye pain? Call us at (614) 933-0575 and we’ll help you get seen.
One thing Medicare never covers: the refraction.
The refraction is the part of the exam where we measure your glasses prescription, the “which is clearer, one or two” test. Federal law excludes the refraction from Medicare coverage, for every patient, with no exceptions. This applies whether your visit is medical or routine. The refraction carries a small, disclosed fee that we confirm with you at checkout, separate from anything Medicare covers.
The medical exam, when there’s a covered reason for the visit: diabetic monitoring, glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataract evaluation, and similar conditions.
The refraction, your glasses prescription measurement. Federal law excludes it for every Medicare patient. A small, disclosed fee applies, confirmed at checkout.
Have a Medicare Advantage plan? It may include vision.
Some Medicare Advantage plans include a vision benefit, and those usually route through VSP or EyeMed rather than through Medicare itself. Every plan is different, so we verify your specific Advantage plan’s vision benefit before your visit rather than assuming coverage. If you’re a VSP or EyeMed member through your Advantage plan, see how we work with vision benefits at COVE →
Ask about COVE Plus, our flat-rate self-pay program. Learn more about COVE Plus →
How a Medicare visit works at COVE.
Schedule your visit
Book online or call us at (614) 933-0575. Let us know you have Medicare when you schedule.
We verify your coverage in advance
We verify what we can about your Medicare coverage, and any Advantage vision benefit, before your appointment.
We bill Medicare directly
COVE submits the covered portion of your visit to Medicare directly.
We confirm the refraction fee together
The refraction carries a small, disclosed fee whenever it’s performed, since Medicare never covers it. Any other remaining cost is confirmed with you at checkout, based on your specific plan.
Why COVE for Medicare patients.
One office, three doctors who know your family. Dr. Matthew Karres, Dr. Amy Keller, and Dr. Kayli Dennis all see Medicare patients at COVE, and each of them can care for the medical eye conditions Medicare covers: diabetic monitoring, glaucoma, cataract evaluation, and more. We bill Medicare directly, so there’s no paperwork on your end.
Central Ohio Vision and Eyecare has 1,100+ five-star Google reviews from patients across New Albany.
“so friendly and professional” · “very thorough and patient on everything”
Read the reviews for yourself on Google →Frequently asked questions.
Does Medicare cover eye exams at COVE?
Yes, when there’s a medical reason for the visit: diabetic eye monitoring, glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataract evaluation, and similar conditions. We bill Medicare directly for that portion of your exam.
What does Medicare not cover?
The refraction, the part of the exam that measures your glasses prescription. Federal law excludes it for every Medicare patient, with no exceptions. It carries a small, disclosed fee, confirmed at checkout.
Do I need a referral to see COVE with Medicare?
No referral is needed for Original Medicare. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, check your plan for any referral or network requirements before scheduling.
Does Medicare cover glasses or contact lenses?
Generally no. There’s a narrow, eligibility-dependent exception for one pair of glasses or contacts after cataract surgery with an intraocular lens implant. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan with a vision benefit, that benefit may include an allowance toward glasses or contacts, and we verify your specific plan.
What if I have a Medicare Advantage plan with vision benefits?
Some Medicare Advantage plans include a vision benefit, and those usually route through VSP or EyeMed. We verify your specific plan’s benefit before your visit, since coverage varies plan to plan.
Will I have to pay anything out of pocket?
If a refraction is performed, yes: Medicare never covers it, so you’ll pay its small, disclosed fee. Any other out-of-pocket cost depends on your specific coverage. We verify what we can in advance and confirm the details together at checkout.
Eyecare for Medicare patients at an independent, locally owned New Albany practice.
Schedule your Medicare eye exam.
Schedule online or call (614) 933-0575, and let us know you have Medicare. New patients are always welcome at our New Albany office.
Related: VSP vision benefits · insurance we accept · COVE Plus · meet the team