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Health Line
14 hours ago
- Health
- Health Line
Does Medicare Cover Prescription Eyeglasses?
Medicare doesn't pay for eyeglasses, with the exception of glasses needed after cataract surgery. Some Medicare Advantage plans have vision coverage, which may help you pay for eyeglasses. Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) doesn't typically cover routine vision services, including paying for eyeglasses and contact lenses. There are some exceptions, including if you have a Medicare Advantage plan that offers vision coverage. In addition, there are community and nonprofit organizations that can help you pay for eyeglasses and lenses. This article reviews what Medicare does and doesn't cover, along with other options you can explore to help cover the cost of eyeglasses. Does Medicare pay for eyeglasses? As a general rule, Original Medicare doesn't pay for eyeglasses. This means that if you need a new pair of glasses, you'll likely pay 100% of the costs out of pocket. However, there are some exceptions if you have Medicare Advantage or if you've recently had cataract surgery. We'll explore the details of these exceptions next. Medicare Part B coverage Medicare Part B (medical coverage) will pay for corrective eyeglass lenses after you've had cataract surgery with an intraocular lens implant. However, this doesn't mean your glasses are completely free. You'll pay 20% of the cost of your eyeglasses, and your Part B deductible applies. You'll also pay additional costs for upgraded frames, and you must purchase the eyeglasses from a Medicare-enrolled supplier. If you lose or break these glasses, Medicare won't pay for new ones. Medicare only pays for one new pair of eyeglasses per lifetime, per eye you have surgery on. So, if you have surgery to correct one eye, you can get a pair of eyeglasses at that time. If you have cataract surgery on another eye at a later time, you can get another new pair of eyeglasses. Medicare Advantage coverage Medicare Advantage (Part C) is an alternative to Original Medicare in which you select a private insurance company to fulfill your Medicare benefits. A Medicare Advantage plan must offer all that Original Medicare does, and some plans expand their coverage to include dental, hearing, or vision care. While Medicare Advantage may offer some vision benefits, there are still out-of-pocket costs. According to a 2020 study, Medicare Advantage enrollees with vision coverage still paid about 62% of the costs associated with their vision spending. If you have Medicare Advantage with vision coverage, it's important to use in-network eye care professionals for your vision care. Your plan may also have preferred suppliers for eyeglasses and lenses. Choosing from a list of approved professionals will usually help you get the greatest cost savings. You can use this online search tool to find Medicare-approved healthcare professionals near you. If you choose a Medicare Advantage plan with vision coverage, your premium or deductible may be slightly higher. Your vision coverage may also require a copayment for vision services and eyeglasses purchases. With other plans, you must meet your deductible before your plan will pay a portion of your vision services. However, if you think you'll need frequent vision services, a plan with vision coverage might save you money in the long run. To find a Medicare Advantage plan that offers vision coverage, you can use the Find a Medicare Plan search tool. You can also contact Medicare Advantage plans and companies directly to ask questions about their vision coverage. Can I use Medigap to pay for eyeglasses? Medicare supplement insurance, or Medigap, is a policy you can purchase if you have Original Medicare. While Medigap can help pay for out-of-pocket costs associated with Medicare parts A and B, such as coinsurances and deductibles, it won't help pay for extras like vision care. What isn't covered by Medicare for vision? Medicare doesn't cover the following services related to vision care: routine eye exams purchase of eyeglasses purchase of contact lenses purchase of upgraded lenses However, Medicare Part B does cover some vision screenings, including an annual glaucoma test for people at risk and an annual eye exam for people with diabetes to screen for diabetic retinopathy. Medicare also covers cataract surgery. Other coverage options for eyeglasses There are several organizations that can help with the costs of your eyeglasses and vision care. Some examples include: EyeCare America: This is a service from the American Academy of Ophthalmology that partners with area volunteer eye doctors to provide eye exams. However, this organization doesn't provide eyeglasses. Lenscrafters Foundation: OneSight: This foundation has provided more than 10 million eyeglasses to those in need since its founding. Lion's Club International: This nonprofit organization provides free eyeglasses to those in its member communities. Contact your local Lions Club chapter to find out more. Medicaid: Medicaid is a state-based government program that helps pay for healthcare and other services for people in need. While Medicaid coverage may vary state by state, many programs pay for a pair of eyeglasses and lenses once every 5 years. New Eyes for the Needy: This is another nonprofit program that helps provide eyeglasses to people in need. Visit its website to see if you may qualify. The takeaway Medicare doesn't offer comprehensive vision coverage, including paying for eyeglasses. It usually covers medical services related to vision, such as testing for diabetic retinopathy or glaucoma. If you or a loved one could use help purchasing eyeglasses, several community and national organizations are dedicated to providing vision care. The information on this website may assist you in making personal decisions about insurance, but it is not intended to provide advice regarding the purchase or use of any insurance or insurance products. Healthline Media does not transact the business of insurance in any manner and is not licensed as an insurance company or producer in any U.S. jurisdiction. Healthline Media does not recommend or endorse any third parties that may transact the business of insurance.
CBC
31-05-2025
- General
- CBC
Study examines impact of rising discrimination on 2SLGBTQ+ people in N.S. and N.B.
Social Sharing WARNING: This story contains mentions of transphobia, suicidal ideation, and conversion therapy. A Dalhousie University study aims to understand and help mitigate the impact on 2SLGBTQ+ people's mental health from rising discrimination and rhetoric targeting them. Researchers began by interviewing 11 community organizations in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. And now, a new phase of the study has begun with the launch of a survey informed by those interviews. It is open to 2SLGBTQ+ people aged 18 or older in the two provinces. "We really heard from these organizations how much more they're seeing the impact of anti-LGBTQ rhetoric on the people that they're working with," said lead researcher Patrick Hickey, who is part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. The study also aims to identify ways to limit that impact. "We really want to get a better sense of what are people doing to protect their mental health and their well-being against this rhetoric," Hickey said, adding that the goal is to bring the data back to community organizations to inform new support services or education programs, for example. Hickey believes 2SLGBTQ+ people in the Maritimes have a unique experience and said those living in rural areas need to be recognized. The survey will be open until the end of August and includes questions about access to social support from friends or family and how experiences with discrimination have changed a person's life. While it is anonymous, participants can indicate they're open to a followup interview from a researcher. Vandals target members of Nova Scotia's 2SLGBTQ+ community 2 months ago Duration 2:33 Police-reported hate crimes in Atlantic Canada targeting sexual orientation have been on the rise. And this year, Nova Scotia has seen a number of incidents of vandalism targeting 2SLGBTQ+ businesses and people. Those incidents have weighed on Rabbi Nachshon Siritsky, a Nova Scotia member of the Queer Interfaith Coalition advocacy group. "It's like multiple little stabs until we become numb and desensitized and want to give up," he said. For Hickey, this research feels timely and necessary in light of anti-queer and anti-trans rhetoric coming from the United States, where U.S. president Donald Trump has signed a barrage of executive orders targeting 2SLGBTQ+ people since returning to office. "Something that we heard over and over again from community organizations was that ... rhetoric coming out of the U.S. is having an impact now," Hickey said. Siritsky, who is transgender and non-binary, previously lived in the U.S., where he experienced transphobia and was forced to undergo conversion therapy — a discredited practice aimed at changing or repressing an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity. Conversion therapy is illegal in Canada, but there is no blanket ban in the U.S. Siritsky called what is happening now south of the border "terrifying." "I was just speaking … to some friends in the States, some of whom have had to detransition to try to stay alive because they can't access hormone therapy safely," he said. Detransition refers to when a person stops or reverses their gender transition. Siritsky added friends who are not able to leave the U.S. are having thoughts about suicide. While Nova Scotia is working toward publicly funded, universal mental health care, Siritsky would like to see increased focus on supporting marginalized groups like 2SLGBTQ+ people, who are more likely to have worse mental health. "Saving lives, when so many of us are trying to fight for a reason to want to believe that life is worth living, has to be a top priority," Siritsky said. If you or someone you know is struggling, here's where to look for help:
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The Asian American Foundation Launches $1 Million+ Initiative to Empower San Francisco's Grassroots Asian American Organizations
Project with local co-funders to provide grants for capacity building to strengthen community-serving organizations promoting safety and opportunity in the city. SAN FRANCISCO, May 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) today announced the launch of the Asian American Voices in San Francisco, a new strategic initiative to unlock and invest more than $1 million into Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI)-serving grassroots community organizations in San Francisco. Small, community-embedded grassroots organizations play a critical role in promoting safety, belonging, and prosperity in San Francisco. But despite their outsized impact, these groups often struggle to ensure their services are sustainable due to limited resources and lack of support. Through Asian American Voices in San Francisco, TAAF will bring together a coalition of grassroots organizations and Asian industry leaders in San Francisco to tackle these challenges head on and in collaboration with other organizations. In the initiative's first year, TAAF will distribute grants to strengthen organizations across the city, with the aim of bolstering a healthy ecosystem of community-serving nonprofits. As part of TAAF's commitment to unlock unprecedented resources through cross-sector collaboration and strategic grantmaking, the initiative will also encourage the development of long-term partnerships and solutions to promote safety and economic prosperity for Asian community members across San Francisco. "TAAF is proud to work with co-funders in the Bay Area to support Asian American Voices in San Francisco, which furthers our commitment to invest in solutions that are community-led and people-centered," said Norman Chen, CEO of TAAF. "In addition to our Anti-Hate National Network and partnership with local Bay Area based grantees, we believe that this initiative has the power to further support the San Francisco Asian community. By providing these vital grassroots groups with significant resources to support their collaborative efforts, we hope to empower local community members as they work to create a safer and more prosperous future for their city." "The TAAF grant allows us to continue driving meaningful and tangible change that are aligned with our shared vision," said Amy Lee, Founder and President of Dear Community, a local grassroots collective of young Asian American activists building pride and power through community events, small business support, and culture-driven organizing. "It empowers Dear Community and other organizations to actively shape and advance priorities that reflect our community's core values and tackle the challenges we face head-on. This initiative is unique as it brings together a coalition of newer generation nonprofit leaders that want to change the status quo and are eager to collaborate with community and City leaders to bring positive change to San Francisco's Asian American community. It is time we take ownership of our own narrative and tell our stories." About The Asian American Foundation (TAAF)TAAF serves the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities by promoting safety, fostering belonging, and advancing prosperity. Launched in 2021 in response to the rise in anti-Asian hate and to address the long-standing underinvestment in Asian communities, we invest in initiatives to combat anti-Asian hate, integrate Asian studies into school curricula, elevate authentic Asian storytelling, and expand resources and representation for our communities. Through our high-impact initiatives, events, and investments in national and local nonprofits, we're creating a permanent and irrevocable sense of belonging for millions of Asians in the United States. For additional information about TAAF, please visit or follow @TAAForg on Instagram, LinkedIn, X or Facebook. Contact: Sam Singer, Singer Associates Public Relations San Francisco Tel: 415.227.9700 email: singer@ View original content: SOURCE The Asian American Foundation Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Community organizations in Milwaukee call for oversight of police surveillance
Milwaukee PD officers monitor the May Day 2025 march with a Critical Response Vehicle, outfitted as a surveillance van. (Photo by Isiah Holmes/Wisconsin Examiner) A group of 19 community organizations have joined forces to push for oversight of police surveillance in Milwaukee. Together the groups signed an open letter addressed to the city's common council, asking it to adopt a Community Control Over Police Surveillance (CCOPS) ordinance. The measure would require existing surveillance technologies used by the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) to receive a public hearing and be subject to approval by the Milwaukee Common Council. The ordinance would also require the department to produce an annual report of surveillance gear. 'The proliferation of surveillance technology by the Milwaukee Police Department has occurred with virtually no transparency, no opportunities for community input and — without a real opportunity to reject surveillance techs or advocate for critical guardrails — presents significant threats to civil rights and civil liberties that hurts us all but disproportionately impact communities of color, queer communities, people seeking reproductive healthcare, immigrant communities, people fleeing violence, and low-income communities,' the coalition states in its letter. 'While we trust our local elected officials in Milwaukee, in light of the current political climate and the uncertainty surrounding future administrations at both the federal and state levels (both in Wisconsin and in other states), it is critical that our community has a say in if and how invasive surveillance technologies are used, how they are deployed against residents, if and how their data is stored and shared with third parties, and whether spending our limited tax dollars on surveillance technologies is the best way to promote public safety,' the letter adds. CCOPS ordinances have already passed in 26 cities nationwide, and calls to rein in the flow and development of police surveillance technologies have grown in recent years in Milwaukee. Last year, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Wisconsin began advocating for CCOPS ordinances in the Badger State, prompted by a lack of discussion on the issue and the impending Republican National Convention during the summer of 2024. As with the 2020 Democratic National Convention four years earlier, the RNC brought with it an influx of new equipment that allowed MPD to augment its surveillance network. Before the DNC the police department upgraded its mobile phone surveillance gear, expanded a camera network capable of using automatic license plate reader technology, and purchased vans equipped with cameras and drones. The RNC likewise opened the door for a new open source intelligence software, growing MPD's social media surveillance capabilities. CCOPS Coalition Letter to Common Council During the summer of 2020, many people who joined protests following the death of George Floyd witnessed these technologies, and reported suspicions that they were being monitored. As time passed, investigations revealed that local police departments monitored social media closely and drew information from confidential databases, with one agency funneling much of what it'd learned into a 'target list' of nearly 200 people. The list had been shared with dozens of local, state, and federal agencies from Milwaukee to Kenosha. Since then more attention has been focused on intelligence units such as the MPD's fusion center, the Milwaukee County Sheriff's 'MATRIX Group', and on technologies including drones, wiretap devices, gunshot detection sensors like Shotspotter, and spyware. More recently, Milwaukee residents have begun to express concerns about MPD's plans to acquire facial recognition technology. The accumulation of these issues spurred the group of 19 community organizations to sign the letter calling for CCOPS. The coalition includes Planned Parenthood, Black Leaders Organizing Communities (BLOC), the ACLU of Wisconsin, Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, Ex-Incarcerated People Organizing (EXPO), Voces de la Frontera Action, ComForce, Citizen Action of Wisconsin, the Milwaukee County League of Women Voters and others. The letter states that 'policies are increasingly enacted, and local governments and their surveillance mechanisms will likely be used to target individuals seeking or providing these services. This scenario is particularly alarming given that Black, Brown, Muslim, queer, low-income, and immigrant communities are already disproportionately affected by law enforcement practices.' The letter suggests the stage is being set to repeat law enforcement spying scandals from the 1960s and '70s. 'Without robust oversight, we risk a resurgence of COINTELPRO-like tactics, where surveillance was used to suppress political dissent and target minority groups, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr,' the letter states. 'At a minimum, people who live, work, visit, or attend school in Milwaukee deserve to know if and how they're being surveilled and who has access to that surveillance data.'
