Loss of Eye Exam Discount at Participating Doctors

[jm70497922]

I was disappointed to see AARP has stopped their discount eye exam program.  Was this to move members into paid insurance programs?

[lmgangi]

It sure seems that way. When you talk to their customer service, AARP UHC,  they pretend like it never existed before. Infuriating to encounter increases, endless renewal notices and then one of the few real benefits being dropped without notice.

[AARPConsumerCare]

jm70497922 I'm happy to share more info on vision discounts for AARP Members. Members can save on eyeglasses at LensCrafters as well as Target Optical. Members also have access to AARP Vision Plans from VSP! You can check out these benefits here - https://www.aarp.org/membership/benefits/vision/?cmp=SNO-LITHIUM---&socialid=16299540159 - Christy C. 

[lmgangi]

This is not much different than before. It does not answer why the eye exam discount has disappeared, including that which was available through the AARP UHC  Medicare supplement. I'm sorry that I renewed my membership for 5 years. Can I cancel and get a refund?

[GailL1]

@lmgangi 

Your AARP UHC Medigap with Wellness benefits should still cover some of your Vision care when also covered by Medicare but it does not and I do not believe it (or Medicare) ever covered the actual eye exam for glasses/contact Rx.  

However your Medicare benefit does cover some of the eye disease exams included in the docs vision analysis - then your supplemental plan would cover the rest of the cost of these test.  

You just don’t get the refractory covered for your vision Rx.  This eye refractor exam is usually about $ 50. 

Medicare.gov - Routine Eye Exam Coverage 

Remember, you have to use a doc that accepts Medicare assignment for your Medicare and your Medigap coverage to pay the entire bill except for the refractory eye exam for the Rx for glasses or contacts.

Medicare,gov - Diabetes Eye Exam Coverage 

Medicare.gov- Glaucoma Test Coverage 

Medicare.gov - Macular Degeneration Coverage 

This is the extra vision benefit that AARP UHC Medigap with Wellness benefits covers per their website.

AARP UHC Medicare Supplemental Wellness benefits 

Per the footnote - 3 Present offer to receive a bonus $50 off in addition to your AARP Vision Discount of 50% off lenses or best in-store offer when you purchase a frame and progressive lenses. Complete pair required. Frame and lens purchase cannot be combined with any other offers, discounts, past purchases, readers or nonprescription sunglasses. Valid doctor's prescription required and the cost of an eye exam is not included. [Eyeglasses priced from $218.29 to $2,423.33. Cartier®, Lindberg®, Oakley® Kato, Oliver Peoples, Maui Jim® frames, and wearable electronics excluded. Additional frame and lens exclusions and restrictions may apply, see store associate for details. Void where prohibited. Discounts are off tag price. No cash value. Offer expires 12/31/2025. Code 755453.

As always, reading the small print and knowing what each coverage covers and how - Medicare and your Medigap - is paramount to using your coverage to its maximum benefit.

I do not know what AARP membership covers it anything - think they answered this part of your question.

[TRL1111]

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@GailL1 wrote:

Your AARP UHC Medigap with Wellness benefits should still cover some of your Vision care when also covered by Medicare but it does not and I do not believe it (or Medicare) ever covered the actual eye exam for glasses/contact Rx.  

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About a year ago, I happened to save a copy of the .pdf of wellness benefits that come with my Plan G, and it included "$50 eye exams at participant providers."   I wear contacts, and was told the offer didn't cover a contact lens exam, and couldn't be used to get a discount on a contact lens exam.  

That .pdf also says:  "EyeMed Vision Care LLC (EyeMed) is the network administrator of AARP Vision Discounts. These are not insurance programs and may be discontinued at any time."  The bolding is in the original.  Apparently they meant it.  🙂

But I'll point out that my boyfriend got a glasses (not contacts) exam a couple of years ago at America's Best, and it was $59.  So the $50 exam through the wellness benefits worked out to only a small discount if there's an America's Best in the vicinity.  (Although you have to be vigilant at America's Best because they're very fond of upselling.)

[GailL1]

Yes, @lmgangi informed me of this benefit from AARP - I had no idea and was not aware of that - I am not a member and have not been for a very long time.  See my post to @lmgangi in this thread @ 05-01-2025 03:16 PM - So it was from AARP UHC Medigap and not just from AARP?  

Yes, I believe that the going rate is somewhere in the $50 range for a refractory exam.  I don’t have a Medigap - I have a veterans benefit and they do cover this.  But I also have a $3000 catastrophic cap - the maximum out-of-pocket expense a beneficiary can incur for covered services and supplies in a calendar year.  Medicare and my secondary VA plan usually work together pretty well with meds as long as they are on the National Formulary with no exclusions and incidental like the Part B deductible.  

I am however a real pushover for funky glasses - trifocals with astigmatism and am partial to Varilux lenses but I love to have a lot of pairs - too many if you know what I mean.  After all I can only wear one pair at a time.  

I see an opthalmologist annually for my test and Rx review - he charges around $ 50 for the refractory exam and the Rx.  

I have never tried America’s Best - I have tried Fore Eyes and several others + my Opthalmologist - his glasses run about $50-$75 more than one of the eyewear stores.  

[lmgangi]

Sorry but  AARP UHC confirmed that the $50 vision exam was dropped, without any notice to members. My AARP membership before I had the UHC medigap had also capped eye exams at $50.   It appears that the strategy is now to upsell  vision insurance instead. I just find it very  sneaky to drop a touted "benefit" without any notice. I have the plan documents that show thiscoverge having existed when I joined. 

  So, again, who do I contact to see about a refund for my membership?

[GailL1]

@lmgangi 

I never knew that AARP covered a refractory eye exam in their member benefits. (not a member).

I only have knowledge of how Traditional Medicare with the AARP UHC Medigap with Wellness benefits cover the various test that are part of the Vision exam.

So I guess, that members have lost this $ 50 or so value to their membership dollars for refractory exams.  Easy come, easy go.  Ugh! Guess you will have to converse with the Bot.  Again, Ugh!

[AARPConsumerCare]

We're sorry to hear you're having trouble with United Healthcare, @lmgangi. We are listening and would like the chance to help as soon as possible. Please visit https://help.aarp.org/s/article/contact-aarp to chat, text, or speak with a representative who can get you in touch with our Member Relations team. - Diana G.

[AARPConsumerCare]

We hope you stay with us and understand your concern, @lmgangi. Eye exams are no longer included in the vision discount. Please know that AARP is always working to identify discounts and other member benefit opportunities that meet the wants and needs of our members like you. We'll keep updating our website with new discounts as they become available: https://www.aarp.org/membership/benefits/all-offers-a-z/?cmp=SNO-LITHIUM---&socialid=16838120936

For further assistance, please reach out in a private message. - Diana G.