Ah, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the one act that gets more standing ovations than the final act of a Broadway musical. The ACA, aka Obamacare, is our resident superhero when it comes to health care affordability. But today, we’re focusing our lens on one specific, eye-opening (literally!) topic – does the ACA cover cataract surgery?
Before we dive in, let’s clarify what a cataract is. No, it’s not a big cat (a cat-a-ract, get it?), but a clouding of the eye’s natural lens that blurs vision. Now, onto the burning question, “Does the ACA cover cataract surgery?” The short answer is… yes, it does! But the long answer, like my aunt’s holiday dinners, is a bit more complicated.
While the ACA doesn’t directly list cataract surgery as an essential benefit, it does mandate coverage for “rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices.” So, if your doctor prescribes cataract surgery as necessary to maintain your vision (and let’s be real, watching Netflix without subtitles is essential), it falls under this category.
However, it’s important to remember the ACA is not an all-expenses-paid vacation to Vision-Land. While it helps, you might still need to cover copayments and meet deductibles. In short, cataract surgery won’t necessarily be “free as in beer”, but more like “free as in, there’s still a tip required.”
But what about prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses you may need after the surgery? Well, unfortunately, the ACA has a blind spot there. These are not typically covered unless they’re for children. Yes, the irony isn’t lost on us either.
So, here’s your takeaway (and no, it’s not a doggy bag from aunt’s holiday dinner). The ACA does provide a safety net for necessary surgeries like cataract surgery, but the specifics can get as cloudy as the cataract itself. So, stay informed, ask questions, and remember: the ACA might not have 20/20 vision, but it does have an eye out for your health!
