Medicaid Expansion: More Adults Will be Covered but What about Eye Glasses?

Introduction: Currently, twenty six states including the District of Columbia have chosen to expand Medicaid coverage.  Due to this expansion, eligibility levels will increase for childless adults in 24 states.  While financial criteria for Medicaid qualification are the same between these states benefits vary. 

 Obtaining needed eye glasses is essential since uncorrected refractive error has been shown to be the most common cause of visual impairment.  Cost has been shown to be a barrier from some obtaining eyeglasses.  Eye glasses coverage for adults was reviewed in states implementing Medicaid expansion.  

 Methods: Internet query was performed (www.google.com) using key words “‘state name’ adult Medicaid eye glasses”.  The most recent state based site was referenced.  Eye glasses benefits for non-pregnant adults was identified. 

 Results: Of the 26 states’ Medicaid programs, twelve had no adult benefit for eye glasses.  Two had an eye glasses benefit only after cataract surgery.  Ten covered eye glasses every two years; of those six replaced the eye glasses sooner if criteria were met.  Two provided an annual eye glasses benefit.

Conclusions:Provision of eye glasses for adults with Medicaid varied from none to one pair every year.  The majority of states (54%) had no periodic provision for eye glasses.  While more people have qualified for Medicaid due to Medicaid expansion, there still exist gaps in coverage in some states.  Policy makers as well as constituents need to be made aware of gaps so that solutions can be identified.