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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 blepharoplasty may be considered reconstructive when performed for one of the following 
conditions that may affect both upper and lower eyelids. 
 
1. To correct visual impairment caused by: 
 
-Dermatochalasis, including symptomatic redundant skin weighing down on the upper eyelashes (i.e., 
pseudoptosis) and surgically induced dermatochalasis after ptosis repair. 
-Blepharochalasis. 
-Blepharoptosis, including dehiscence of the aponeurosis of the levator palpebrae superioris muscle after 
trauma or cataract extraction, causing ptosis that may obstruct the superior visual field as well as the visual axis 
in downgaze (reading position). 
-Brow ptosis. It is recognized that brow ptosis repair, in addition to blepharoplasty and/or blepharoptosis repair, 
may be necessary in some cases to provide an adequate functional result. 
 
2. Repair of anatomical or pathological defects, including those caused by disease (including thyroid 
dysfunction and cranial nerve palsies), trauma, or tumor-ablative surgery. Surgery is performed to reconstruct 
the normal structure of the eyelid, using local or distant tissue. Reconstruction may be necessary to protect the 
eye and/or improve visual function. Conditions that may require blepharoplasty, ptosis repair, ectropion repair, 
or entropion repair are: 
 
-Ectropion and entropion 
-Epiblepharon 
-Post-traumatic defects of the eyelid 
-Post-surgical defects after excision of neoplasm(s) 
-Lagophthalmos 
-Congenital lagophthalmos 
-Congenital ectropion, entropion 
-Congenital ptosis* 
-Lid retraction or lag (due to horizontal lower eyelid laxity without ectropion or entropion, causing exposure 
keratopathy and/or epiphora; due to horizontal upper eyelid laxity, causing floppy eyelid syndrome; or due to 
orbital thyroid disease). 
-Chronic symptomatic dermatitis of pretarsal skin caused by redundant upper eyelid skin. 
 
3. Relief of eye symptoms associated with blepharospasm. Primary essential (idiopathic) blepharospasm is 
characterized by severe squinting, secondary to uncontrollable spasms the peri-ocular facial muscles. 
Occasionally, it can be debilitating. If other treatments have failed or are contraindicated, a blepharoplasty 
combined with limited myectomy may be necessary. 
 
You can find this rule in Local Coverage Article: Blepharoplasty - Medical Policy Article (A52837) - Effective 
January 1, 2018. 
 
The rules say that any procedures involving blepharoplasty must be supported by documented patient 
complaints which justify functional surgery. This documentation must address the signs and symptoms 
commonly found in association with ptosis, pseudoptosis, blepharochalasis and/or dermatochalasis. These 
include (but are not limited to): 
 
-Significant interference with vision or superior or lateral visual field, (e.g., difficulty seeing objects 
approaching from the periphery); 
-Difficulty reading due to superior visual field loss; or, 
-Looking through the eyelashes or seeing the upper eyelid skin. 
 
You can find this rule in Local Coverage Article: Blepharoplasty - Medical Policy Article (A52837) - Effective 
January 1, 2018. 
 
The rules say that the visual fields should demonstrate a significant loss of superior visual field and potential 
correction of the visual field by the proposed procedures(s). A minimum 12 degree or 30 percent loss of upper 
field of vision with upper lid skin and/or upper lid margin in repose and elevated (by taping of the lid) to 
demonstrate potential correction by the proposed procedure or procedures is required. Photographs should also 
demonstrate the eyelid abnormality(ies) necessitating the procedures(s). You can find this rule in Local 
Coverage Article: Blepharoplasty - Medical Policy Article (A52837) - Effective January 1, 2018. 
 
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.