How to Get Financial Help for Your Eye Care

By Jane Farrell

If you need financial help for your vision health, the National Eye Institute has some suggestions for finding ways to pay for your care:

Eye Exams and Surgery

EyeCare America is a public service program that provides comprehensive eye exams and eye care at no cost to eligible candidates age 65 or older and people at increased risk for glaucoma who qualify for the program for up to one year. Visit EyeCare America’s website to see if you qualify for the program.

VISION USA (800-766-4466; website) is a program that provides free eye care to eligible low-income and uninsured people. To apply you must work with a charitable organization, social worker, case worker, or community health agency to submit an application.

Lions Clubs International is a volunteer service organization with local clubs. A local Lions club in or near your community may sponsor a program that may help you buy eyeglasses or get eye care. To find a Lions club near you, visit the Club Locator.

Mission Cataract USA (559-797-1629; website) is a program that provides free cataract surgery to people of all ages who have no other means to pay. Visit the Mission Cataract USA’s website to apply and to find a participating eye care professional in your state.

InfantSEE® (888-396-3937 or 314-983-4160; website ) is a public health service program that provides eye and vision care for infants. Member optometrists provide a comprehensive eye assessment for infants between 6 and 12 months of age at no cost to the families.

Eyeglasses

Sight for Students (888-290-4964; website) is a program by Vision Service Plan that provides free eye exams and eyeglasses to low income and uninsured children 18 years and younger that qualify for the program.

New Eyes (973-376-4903; website) provides vouchers to people who need to buy new prescription eyeglasses. Voucher applications are only available on the New Eyes website. Applications must be completed and submitted by a social service agency.

Prescription Drugs

NeedyMeds (800-503-6897; website) offers a database of free or at low cost medications for people who are uninsured or low income.

Partnership for Prescription Assistance (website) helps people find assistance via 475 public and private patient assistance programs. The program is funded by pharmaceutical companies.

Patient Access Network Foundation (866-316-7263; website) helps with copayments for eligible uninsured and insured patients who need treatment for retinal vein occlusion, uveitis, macular diseases, age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema.

RX Assist (website) provides information, resources, news and a directory of patient assistance programs that offer affordable or free medications.

Government Programs

Medicare Benefit for Eye Exams

For people with diabetes—People with Medicare (800-633-4227; website) who have diabetes can get a dilated eye exam for diabetic retinopathy. Your doctor will decide how often you need this exam.

For people at risk for glaucoma—Medicare will pay for an eye exam to check for glaucoma once every 12 months.

Patients must pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount after the yearly Part B deductible.

Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

Offers free or low-cost health coverage for eligible children, teens up to 19, and other family members who qualify for the program. These programs may be called by different names in your state. To apply, visit your state’s Medicaid website. You can also call 877-543-7669 or click here.

Affordable Care Act

The Affordable Care Act (800-508-6754; website ) was enacted in 2010 to put in place comprehensive health insurance reforms, and to make health care more affordable, accessible, and of a higher quality for everyone ,including those who were uninsured or had inadequate coverage. People who are eligible can apply for health coverage during open enrollment.

Reprinted courtesy of the National Eye Institute. For more information about vision health, click here to visit the institute’s website.