Medi-Cal Benefits: Vision

Vision benefits are covered for those with full-scope Medi-Cal benefits. For information about Medi-Cal eligibility, individuals can contact their county human services agency. Vision benefits are described below.

Routine Eye Exam Once Every 24 Months

• All Medi-Cal members are eligible for a routine eye exam, which checks the health of the eyes and tests for an eyeglass prescription.

• Only members under 21 years old and residents of a nursing home receive coverage for eyeglasses (frames and lenses).

Other Services

• Contact lens testing may be covered if the use of eyeglasses is not possible due to eye disease or condition.

• Low-vision testing is available for those with vision impairment that is not correctable by standard glasses, contact lenses, medicine or surgery and that interferes with a person’s ability to perform everyday activities (e.g., age-related macular degeneration).

• Artificial-eye services and materials are available for those individuals who have lost an eye or eyes to disease or injury.

Finding a Vision Provider

Contact your plan directly for assistance (for example, LA Care, Kaiser Permanente or Health Net, or the common managed care-partnered vision plans like Vision Service Pl​an).​

You may contact an in-network Medi-Cal provider to make an appointment, usually without needing a referral. 

For other vision program questions, please contact Vision Services Branch at vision@dhcs.ca.gov. ​