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The rules say that plans must pay for a medical service or item if regular Medicare would pay for it in this case. You can find this rule at 42 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 422.101.

The rules say that Medicare plans must make reasonable and diligent efforts to gather and forward information to the Independent Review Entity (IRE). You can find this information in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Internet Only Manual, Parts C & D Enrollee Grievances, Organization/Coverage Determinations, and Appeals Guidance Manual, Section 50.12.1.

The rules say that Medicare is the secondary payer to certain primary plans. When Medicare is the secondary payer, the provider or enrollee must first submit the claim to the primary payer. If the primary payer does not pay in full for the services, Medicare secondary benefits may be paid. The enrollee must file a claim with the primary payer or cooperate fully with the provider so that the provider can file the necessary claim. You can find these rules in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Internet Only Manual, Medicare Secondary Payer Manual, Chapter 1, Sections 10 and 30.

The rules say that plans must identify payers that are primary to Medicare, identify the amounts payable by the primary payer, and coordinate benefits to Medicare enrollees with the benefits of the primary payer. You can find this rule at 42 CFR Section 422.108.

Medicare does not pay for low vision aids. This exclusion includes all devices that use one or more lenses to aid vision or magnify images. This rule applies no matter the size, form or technological features of the device. This rule does not apply to:
1. post-surgical prosthetic lenses after surgery in which the lens of the eye was removed;
2. prosthetic intraocular lenses (IOLs) and one pair of conventional eyeglasses or contact lenses furnished after each cataract surgery with insertion of an IOL; and
3. prosthetic lenses used by those who are lacking the natural lens of the eye and who were not furnished with an IOL.

You can find this rule at 42 CFR Section 411.15(b).

Medicare does not pay for eye exams for the purpose of prescribing, fitting, or changing eyeglasses or contact lenses for refractive error only. Medicare does not pay for procedures performed in the course of any eye exam to determine the refractive state of the eyes. Refractive procedures are not covered even when done in connection with otherwise covered diagnosis or treatment of illness or injury. You can find these rules at 42 CFR Section 411.15(c).

If you want to read these Medicare rules, you can go to this website www.medicareappeal.com.

The Plan contract says that the Plan covers items and services in accordance with Medicare rules. The Plan contract says that the Plan covers certain routine vision care items and services as a mandatory supplemental benefit. This benefit includes a routine eye examination as well as a $300 allowance toward the purchase and fitting of eyeglasses or contact lenses at a network optical provider. You can find this information in Chapter 4 on pages 86 to 87 of the Plan's 2021 Evidence of Coverage.