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 a Medi-Cal provider directly for an appointment. For a list of vision providers, visit the online directory at the Find a Vision Care Provider page on the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) website. For other vision program questions, individuals may contact DHCS’s Vision Services Branch at vision@dhcs.ca.gov.