Does Medicare Cover Cataract Surgery?

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) may cover cataract surgery that implants conventional intraocular lenses, depending on where you live, according to medicare.gov. Part B also covers one pair of eyeglasses with standard frames (or one set of contact lenses) after each cataract surgery that implants an intraocular lens, and after the Part B deductible you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount.

Maintained by Archie Chang · Reviewed November 2, 2026 · Methodology & sources

Not an official source. FedRateCalc is independent and is not affiliated with Medicare, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) or any government agency. Medicare.gov is the authority on what Medicare covers and what it costs. This page quotes medicare.gov, CMS and the eCFR as saved on November 2, 2026, and reports what they say.

Cataract surgery

“Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) may cover cataract surgery that implants conventional intraocular lenses, depending on where you live.”
Medicare.gov: Cataract surgery

Medicare.gov describes the surgery:

“Cataract surgery removes a cloudy natural lens from your eye and, in most cases, replaces it with a clear artificial lens.”
Medicare.gov: Cataract surgery

Eyeglasses or contact lenses after cataract surgery

Medicare.gov’s cataract surgery page says:

“Medicare doesn’t usually cover eyeglasses or contact lenses. However, Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers one pair of eyeglasses with standard frames (or one set of contact lenses) after each cataract surgery that implants an intraocular lens.”
Medicare.gov: Cataract surgery

42 CFR 411.15(b) is headed “Low vision aid exclusion” and refers to “the eyeglass exclusion.” Its exceptions include post-surgical lenses and the lenses furnished after cataract surgery with an intraocular lens:

“(2) Exceptions.
(i) Post-surgical prosthetic lenses customarily used during convalescence for eye surgery in which the lens of the eye was removed (for example, cataract surgery).
(ii) Prosthetic intraocular lenses and one pair of conventional eyeglasses or contact lenses furnished subsequent to each cataract surgery with insertion of an intraocular lens. […]”
42 CFR 411.15 (eCFR), § 411.15(b)(2)

Medicare.gov’s eyeglasses page adds what you pay and which suppliers are paid:

“After you meet the Part B deductible, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for corrective lenses after each covered cataract surgery with an intraocular lens.
You pay any additional costs for upgraded frames.
Medicare will only pay for contact lenses or eyeglasses from a supplier that participates in Medicare, whether you or your provider submits the claim.”
Medicare.gov: Eyeglasses & contact lenses

What you pay for covered cataract surgery

“For covered cataract surgery in a hospital outpatient setting or ambulatory surgical center: After you meet the Part B deductible, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount to both the facility and the doctor who performs your surgery.
For covered cataract surgery you get in a doctor’s office: After you meet the Part B deductible, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for both the intraocular lens and the surgery to implant it.”
Medicare.gov: Cataract surgery

The CMS 2026 fact sheet gives the Part B deductible for 2026:

“The annual deductible for all Medicare Part B beneficiaries will be $283 in 2026 […]”
CMS: 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles (fact sheet, Nov. 14, 2025)

What decides the amounts, according to medicare.gov:

“Specific amounts you could owe depend on:
Other insurance you may have
How much your doctor charges
If your doctor accepts assignment
The type of facility
Where you get your test, item, or service”
Medicare.gov: Cataract surgery

Eye exams for glasses

The same rule, 42 CFR 411.15, opens its list with:

“The following services are excluded from coverage:”
42 CFR 411.15 (eCFR), § 411.15 introduction

and excludes eye examinations for glasses:

“(c) Eye examinations for the purpose of prescribing, fitting, or changing eyeglasses or contact lenses for refractive error only and procedures performed in the course of any eye examination to determine the refractive state of the eyes, without regard to the reason for the performance of the refractive procedures. Refractive procedures are excluded even when performed in connection with otherwise covered diagnosis or treatment of illness or injury.”
42 CFR 411.15 (eCFR), § 411.15(c)

Medicare Advantage

“Some Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C) offer extra benefits that Original Medicare doesn’t cover - like vision, hearing, or dental. Contact the plan for more information.”
Medicare.gov: Eyeglasses & contact lenses

Frequently asked questions

Does Medicare cover cataract surgery?

Medicare.gov says: “Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) may cover cataract surgery that implants conventional intraocular lenses, depending on where you live.”

Does Medicare cover eyeglasses after cataract surgery?

Medicare.gov says Medicare doesn’t usually cover eyeglasses or contact lenses, but Part B covers one pair of eyeglasses with standard frames (or one set of contact lenses) after each cataract surgery that implants an intraocular lens. 42 CFR 411.15(b)(2) lists prosthetic intraocular lenses and one pair of conventional eyeglasses or contact lenses after each cataract surgery with insertion of an intraocular lens as exceptions to the eyeglass exclusion.

What do you pay for covered cataract surgery?

Medicare.gov says that for covered cataract surgery in a hospital outpatient setting or ambulatory surgical center, after you meet the Part B deductible you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount to both the facility and the doctor, and that in a doctor’s office you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for both the intraocular lens and the surgery. The CMS 2026 fact sheet gives the 2026 Part B deductible as $283.

Who pays for upgraded frames?

Medicare.gov says you pay any additional costs for upgraded frames, and that Medicare will only pay for contact lenses or eyeglasses from a supplier that participates in Medicare.

Does Medicare cover an eye exam to get glasses?

42 CFR 411.15(c) excludes eye examinations for the purpose of prescribing, fitting, or changing eyeglasses or contact lenses for refractive error only, and says refractive procedures are excluded even when performed in connection with otherwise covered diagnosis or treatment of illness or injury.

What decides the amount you could owe for cataract surgery?

Medicare.gov says specific amounts you could owe depend on other insurance you may have, how much your doctor charges, whether your doctor accepts assignment, the type of facility, and where you get your test, item, or service.

Related Medicare pages

Sources

All retrieved November 2, 2026. Quotes are verbatim; “[…]” marks every omission.