Glasses are covered only in rare cases
May 21st, 2010 | TriCare Help | Posted by Military Times
Q. I’m a 61-year-old retired reservist who needs new glasses. What kind of vision coverage does Tricare provide?
For retirees, Tricare cannot cover refractions — that is, measurements of your eyes for glasses. Near- or farsightedness are not considered to be eye diseases and generally are not covered.
Neither does Tricare have a benefit for eyeglasses or contact lenses for any beneficiary, except in the case of a few specific but uncommon eye conditions, and for one pair of spectacles or contact lenses following an intraocular lens implant.
Although Tricare cannot cover the kind of vision care you ask about, it does provide coverage for the medical and surgical treatment of diseases of, or injuries to, the eye, including the replacement of the eye’s natural lens lost for any reason.
What about vision coverage?
November 25th, 2009 | TriCare Help | Posted by Military Times
Q. I’m a retiree. Does Tricare have vision coverage?
Tricare may pay for medically necessary and appropriate medical and surgical services to treat injuries and diseases of the eye. It may cover one routine eye examination to measure the eyes for glasses for active duty family members only.
Tricare may not pay for eyeglasses or contact lenses except for two or three specific and uncommon eye conditions, and for one pair of spectacles or lenses following intraocular lens implant surgery.
Contact your Tricare Service Center for more information regarding coverage for spectacles or lenses if you believe you might qualify.
Tricare may not pay for vision training or eye exercises of any kind.