Two kinds of coverage. One team to help.
Routine vision plans are generally designed around eye exams, refraction and eligible glasses or contact lens benefits. Medical insurance may apply when the reason for the visit is an eye-health problem. Your exact coverage depends on your plan and the services performed.
Tatum Eyecare participates in traditional Medicare, but we do not participate in Medicare Advantage programs. If you are not sure which coverage you have, bring both your current vision and medical cards so our team can help verify the information available to us.
Vision plans
Routine vision benefits may include an exam benefit plus allowances or discounts for eligible eyewear or contact lenses. Your exact benefits depend on your plan.
Medical insurance
When the visit is for an eye-health concern, medical insurance may apply to the medical portion of the exam. Refraction is not covered by medical insurance and is paid out of pocket.
Medicare
We participate in traditional Medicare only. We do not participate in Medicare Advantage programs.
Which to Use
Vision plans and medical insurance do different jobs. We verify the information available to us and help you understand which coverage may apply to the reason for your visit.
Bring the card. We’ll help with the rest.
Vision plans
Medical insurance
Medicare: We participate in traditional Medicare only. We do not participate in Medicare Advantage plans.
Original Medicare, not Medicare Advantage.
Tatum Eyecare participates in traditional Medicare. We do not participate in Medicare Advantage programs, even when the plan carries the name of a medical insurer listed above.
The prescription measurement is separate.
Medical insurance does not cover refraction—the testing used to determine an eyeglass prescription. If you come in for a medical problem such as cataracts or dry eye and also want a refraction, we can bill your medical insurance for the eye-health portion of the visit. The refraction is paid out of pocket.
Plan participation and benefits can change, and individual employer plans can differ. Please call us to verify your current plan and benefits before your appointment.
Good questions deserve clear answers.
What is the difference between vision insurance and medical insurance?
Vision plans are generally designed around routine eye care, refraction and eligible eyewear or contact lens benefits. Medical insurance may apply when the visit is for an eye-health problem.
Do you accept Medicare Advantage plans?
No. Tatum Eyecare participates in traditional Medicare only and does not participate in Medicare Advantage programs.
Does medical insurance cover refraction?
No. Refraction—the testing used to determine an eyeglass prescription—is not covered by medical insurance. When a visit includes care for a medical eye problem such as cataracts or dry eye, we can bill medical insurance for the health portion of the exam, while the refraction is paid out of pocket.
Should I bring both cards?
Yes, if you have both. The reason for your visit can affect which coverage applies, and having both cards makes it easier for our team to help.
Can you guarantee what my plan will pay?
No. We can help verify the benefit information available to us, but the plan makes the final coverage and payment determination.