How seniors can get free vision care from the Senior EyeCare Program.
If you’re a senior living on a fixed income, lacking comprehensive vision insurance, or just unsure where to turn for affordable care, it is possible to get free or low-cost eye exams and even prescription glasses. The program will help older adults receive vision services. Learn more on the Senior EyeCare Program from EyeCare America below, including the contact information.
- wide number of benefits are offered with most of the help for adults over the age of 65 (but some exceptions can be made for 60+). The program care provide exams/testing, prescription glasses, contacts and address any other vision needs. The Senior Eyecare is a free public service of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
What the EyeCare America Seniors Program offers
Many seniors find that Medicare does not pay for basic, routine vision needs. Original Medicare (Parts A and B) generally does not cover routine eye exams for eyeglasses or contact lenses , and it only helps with lenses after cataract surgery or for specific medical conditions. This is where the American Academy of Ophthalmology steps in - as one of the most effective programs for older adults is the EyeCare America Seniors Program. What this program provides is straightforward . Eligible older adults, over the age of 65, are matched with a volunteer ophthalmologist for a free medical eye exam. It screens for more common conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, diabetes, macular degeneration (AMD), and other diseases. Even learn where to get free prescription glasses if qualified . When disease is found, follow-up care for up to one year may be available. Doctors may bill any insurance you already have, but you are not charged for the physician’s services through the Senior EyeCare Program itself. Routine refractions for a new eyeglass prescription and the cost of eyeglasses are usually not part of this medical program and are handled separately. The cost of those exams, much less a new pair of prescription glasses or contact lenses, is often prohibitive for older adults. Especially when living on a pension or fixed income. Many of the private insurance companies, or government programs such as Medicare, either do not pay for exams or they only reimburse the senior for a small portion of the bill. Even fewer plans give them the prescription glasses they need. Not only will the assistance from the Senior EyeCare Program check for these diseases by offering free tests, but it will also provide ongoing medical care to help minimize the condition. The program will give them medications that may help. Or it can pay for any surgery that may be needed. Or if the remedy is better served by given correct lenses, then either free prescription glasses or contact lenses will be provided. Generally they will be assisted for up to one to one year. So if there was a cataract removed, or if the individual has diabetes, ongoing check ups will be given. Doctors will make their offices available to perform this service. This will ensure the vision problem does not re-occur in the near future.
Contact information
While any care given by an eye doctor (or ophthalmologist) is done so for free, appointments are needed though from the senior citizen - this is not a walk in type service . Instead the Senior EyeCare program may even refer the client to a local optometrist in their town or city that participates or even a free community health care center . Note that if the patient does have insurance (Medicare, private coverage, PPO, etc.) that covers some of this cost, they will be billed for that copay amount. So minimal costs may be incurred. There are qualification required from senior citizens . They need to be legal residents or full United States Citizens. Also, age limits are in place. The focus is on applicants age 65 and older, but the Senior EyeCare Program may from time to time help those age 60 or over. There are also income limits in place. Any households with a higher income, or those in which their health insurance will pay for it, will not be eligible for a test. In addition, the person can't have visited an eye doctor or ophthalmologist in the recent past. The program is intended to assist people that have gone without the proper eye tests or glasses. Always call ahead and verify current eligibility, wait-list length, geographic availability, and what the program covers. Anyone over the age of 65 (with sometimes exceptions made for 60+), that needs either free or affordable eye exams, can dial the Senior EyeCare Program at 877-887-6327 with more details here https://www.aao.org/eyecare-america/patients . The individual will be referred to a local center in their area for further testing or intake.