I know there are some insurances that only pay for eye exams every two years. Do these insurances make exceptions if the patient is diabetic? I'm fortunate enough to be able to get a yearly exam without much cost to me, but I know my parents wait two years, and I worry this is not good for them.

I am not sure about insurance policies but eye examination every year is a must.

Please ask your parents to have an eye examination every year. One should not wait until his/her vision has deteriorated to have an eye test. Most sight-threatening diabetic problems can be managed by laser treatment if it is given early enough.

Everyone over the age of 40 should, if at all possible, have a yearly eye exam.


If you don't have insurance, go to Walmart. (If you do have insurance, you still might choose to go to Walmart - their optical clinic is inexpensive.)


Going to a Walmart ******** will set you back about $60 for the visit - plus eyewear, if needed. Don't let that stop you - your eyes are too important.

I agree that it is a must. I get the full deal glaucoma testing and picture taken of the blood supply on the retina. I always make sure my insurance covers annual optical and dental at least.

Medicaid, medicare and almost all health plans allow for special diabeetic initiative care.
Medicaid on a whole has a diabetic initiative. Where one eye exam, prssure and slit light and pair of glasses are paid for.

medicare will always pay for eye exam, eye surgery if needed, one pair of glasses( with I think a small deductable) every year.

Aetna, Blue crosspblue sheild and so on also have a specific program for diabetics and do providee for glasss and exams.

Free clinics and health departments ahve initiatives for maintaining eye care as well. You just have to schedule on a day that the optician is working.

If you are on any national program just call your program customer servicec to fid out what they are doing about a diabetic initative or special programs for diabetics.

Dr. Bizers sets you back abut 40 bucks for an eye exam. However not all places do a routine diabetic screening and that could cost a bit more.

You also have to be careful that a dialation and numbing do not happen before the eye exam, as so many drs. are prone to do. This gives false readings on eyeglass prescription. Make sure that a corrective lens exam occurrs first!
Otherwise you will be left with glasses that do not work and lead to headaches, blurred vision and other problems.

julie

Even if your insurance does not cover the cost of your eye exam, make sure you are tested at least once a year. Pay for it yourself. If there is a problem with your eyes, go as frequently as your doctor recommends. Save your eyes.

When I had insurance that covered my eye exams I would usually get twice yearly exams, but as much as I hate to admit it, I haven't had one now in about a year and a half because I just have not had them money to go. Some other bill always comes up.

Most insurance companies will pay for eye exams every two years whether or not your diabetic. My mother in law (who has diabetes) sees a specialist every 6 months and if she needs her eyes retested then, her insurance company will pay.

Even though their insurance only pays for their exams every two years doesn't mean that isnt a good thing. Not everyone NEEDS to go get their eyes checked every year. But just like any other person, if you feel that there is a change going on with your vision, then you have to take it upon yourself to get it checked out. Even if you have to pay for it yourself.

I need to get in to my ophthalmologist. My new insurance has a deductible and that is one of the things I've let slide trying to save money. This summer I've got to get it done.
btw, going to the optometrist at Walmart won't help, he can't check the back of the retina for diabetic problems like the eye doctor who is an MD.