Medicare: Withdrawing Eyeglass Coverage Recommended Following Cataract Surgery
HRD-90-31
Published: Feb 08, 1990. Publicly Released: Feb 08, 1990.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO examined the issues relating to Medicare reimbursement for cataract surgery.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Health and Human Services | The Secretary of Health and Human Services should direct the Administrator, HCFA, to discontinue Medicare payment for all conventional eyeglasses or contact lenses following cataract surgery when an intraocular lens is implanted and satisfactory results are achieved. |
Closed – Implemented
Section 4153 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 excluded coverage of conventional eyeglasses and contact lenses subsequent to cataract surgery, with intraocular lens implant, except for the first pair.
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Topics
Elderly personsHealth care costsHealth insurance cost controlMedical expense claimsMedicareOptical equipmentProsthetic devicesPublic health legislationQuestionable paymentsSurgeryEyeglasses