Does Montana State Health Cover Contact Lenses?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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The MT Medicaid program includes comprehensive benefits like

doctor and hospital visits, family planning, emergency services, mental health, prescription drugs, rehabilitation, transportation to medical appointments, dental, and vision

. Some MT Medicaid members will be responsible for copayments for certain services.

Can you claim contact lenses on Medicare?

Generally,

Original Medicare does not cover routine eyeglasses or contact lenses

. However, following cataract surgery that implants an intraocular lens, Medicare Part B helps pay for corrective lenses; one pair of eyeglasses or one set of contact lenses provided by an ophthalmologist.

Are contact lenses covered by MSP?

MSP coverage of eye examinations for patients on income-assistance is the same as for other MSP beneficiaries. Medically required examinations are covered; however,

visits for refractive changes (for glasses or contact lenses) are not a benefit for individuals aged 19 to 64

.

What are medically necessary contact lenses?

Medically necessary contact lenses are

non-elective contact lenses prescribed when certain medical conditions hinder vision correction through regular eyeglasses and contact lenses are the accepted standard of treatment

.

How do I qualify for medically necessary contacts?

Some of the most common eye conditions that make a patient eligible for this service include Keratoconus (an eye disease that causes bulging of the cornea), Aphakia (absence of the lens), significant Ammetropia (having a prescription greater than +/- 10.00D), and high Anisometropia (when your eyes differ in …

Does Medicaid cover chiropractic in Montana?

Chiropractic services payable by Montana

Medicaid are limited to those provided to children age 20 and under (also referred to as EPSDT) for medically necessary services

. Medicaid does not reimburse for any chiropractic services provided to individuals age 21 and over.

How do I contact Montana Medicaid?

Member Resources

Call Montana Healthcare Programs, Member Help Line

1-800-362-8312

, M-F, 8am-5pm, for assistance. Find a Montana Medicaid Provider.

What is the income limit for Montana Medicaid?

Household Size* Maximum Income Level (Per Year)
1


$13,590

2


$18,310

3


$23,030

4


$27,750

Does Medicare pay for laser cataract surgery in 2021?

But does Medicare cover laser cataract surgery? Luckily, the answer is yes.

Medicare coverage includes surgery done using lasers

. Medicare Part B benefits only cover the Medicare-approved amount for cataract surgery.

Does Medicare cover cataract surgery and lens implant?

Though

Medicare covers 80% of most of the costs of cataract surgery involving intraocular lens implants

, more advanced treatments may require you to cover a greater percentage, or even all of the cost.

What type of lens does Medicare cover for cataract surgery?


Basic (monofocal) lens implants

. One pair of prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses after surgery. Up to one year of follow-up care.

What is not covered by MSP?


eyeglasses, hearing aids, and other equipment or appliances; prescription drugs (see PharmaCare); acupuncture, chiropractic, massage therapy, naturopathy, physical therapy and non-surgical podiatry services

(except for MSP beneficiaries receiving supplementary benefits);

What Does Medicare pay for eyeglasses?

Routine exams covered;

$200 allowance for eyewear every year

; Optional pkg with higher monthly premium: $400 allowance for eyewear every year. Routine exams covered; $200 allowance for lenses (standard eyeglasses OR contacts) every year. You can search for plans on the Medicare website.

Does MSP cover child eye exams?


MSP provides as an insured benefit routine eye examinations for children under the age of 19 years and over the age of 65

. Medically required eye examinations are a benefit for all MSP beneficiaries.

What are considered elective contact lenses?

Contact lenses are considered elective

when the user’s vision correction could be treated with eyeglasses, but instead they select the convenience of contact lenses

. In most cases, vision insurance will only cover one or the other (eyeglasses OR contact lenses) during a benefit period.

Does Davis vision cover medical contacts?


You will be reimbursed up to $225.00 for medically necessary contact lenses

. What about additional eyewear purchases? You may purchase additional eyewear at significant discounts through the Value Advantage Program, available only at Davis Vision participating network providers.

Are toric contact lenses covered by insurance?

The Toric IOL is Medicare approved.

Medicare and most insurance companies will cover a portion of the cost of this procedure

. New insurance guidelines allow the patient to pay the additional costs associated with the Premium Toric IOL because of its astigmatism correction properties.

What is the difference between medically necessary and elective contacts?

Non-elective contact lenses, also called medically necessary contact lenses, are prescribed by your optometrist to correct these types of eye problems, whereas elective contacts are chosen by the patient to correct an eye issue that eyeglasses or sometimes laser surgery can also correct.

What is the average cost of contacts?

The cost of contact lenses can vary, but the average cost for an annual supply of contacts, if you’re nearsighted, should be

between around $200 and $300

. If you need to replace your contacts throughout the year, plan to purchase around sic to 10 boxes total, with a cost of around $20 to $30 for each box.

How much is it for contact lenses?

Contact lenses can cost anywhere from

$150 to $1,500 a year

, depending on the brand, type, and your insurance coverage. Generally, they cost between $20 and $30 a box. Most people with average prescriptions should be able to get a year’s worth of contact lenses for $200 to $500.

Does Montana Medicaid cover prescriptions?

Montana Healthcare Prescription Drug Program

covers most prescription drugs

. Certain drugs will need a prior authorization (PA). Covered over-the-counter drugs require a written prescription from your healthcare provider.

Does Montana have Medicaid managed care?

Overview of Current Managed Care Programs


In July 2011, more than three quarters of Medicaid beneficiaries in Montana were enrolled in a primary care case management (PCCM) program

. Introduced in 1993, the state’s PCCM program is called Passport to Health.

Is Montana a Medicaid expansion state?


In 2019, Montana lawmakers approved extending the 2015 program — the Supreme Court made the Medicaid expansion provision in the Affordable Care Act optional for states

— as long as it included work requirements.

Emily Lee
Author
Emily Lee
Emily Lee is a freelance writer and artist based in New York City. She’s an accomplished writer with a deep passion for the arts, and brings a unique perspective to the world of entertainment. Emily has written about art, entertainment, and pop culture.