Gaps Identified in Medicaid Provision of Routine Vision Care
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter
FRIDAY, Aug. 9, 2024 -- Although most fee-for-service Medicaid programs cover routine eye exams, many do not cover glasses or low vision aids, according to a study published in the August issue of Health Affairs.
Brandy J. Lipton, Ph.D., from the University of California in Irvine, and colleagues detailed Medicaid policies for 2022 and documented variability in coverage for adult vision services by state.
The researchers found that routine eye exams were covered by most fee-for-service Medicaid programs, although many did not cover glasses or low vision aids (20 and 35 states, respectively). Enrollee cost sharing was required by about two-thirds of states with routine coverage. Relative to fee-for-service programs, managed care plans generally provided consistent or enhanced coverage, although sometimes there was between-plan variation in coverage within a state. About 6.5 and 14.6 million adult enrollees were estimated to reside in states without comprehensive coverage for routine eye exams and glasses, respectively.
"Our study clearly shows that there are opportunities to expand coverage of routine vision services at the state level, and based on previous research, we expect more generous coverage would reduce rates of vision impairment, improve quality of life, and promote health equity," Lipton said in a statement.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted August 2024
Read this next
Advanced Biological Age Linked to Increased Risk for Incident Dementia
FRIDAY, May 2, 2025 -- Advanced biological age (BA) may be a risk factor for incident dementia, according to a study published online April 30 in Neurology. Yacong Bo, Ph.D...
Exposure to Smoke Pollution Ups Risk for Hospitalization for Respiratory Disease
FRIDAY, May 2, 2025 -- For older adults in the Western United States, exposure to high levels of smoke pollution is associated with an increase in hospitalizations for respiratory...
Exercise Helps Reduce Side Effects From Cancer Treatment
THURSDAY, May 1, 2025 -- Exercise mitigates adverse outcomes associated with cancer and its treatments, according to a review published online April 29 in the British Journal...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.