Eye care inequality: Medicaid’s vision coverage varies widely by state

A recent NIH-funded study revealed a significant disparity in Medicaid vision coverage for adults across different states. The research, which analyzed 2020 Medicaid enrollee data and 2022-23 coverage policies, found that 6.5 million enrollees lacked coverage for routine eye exams, and 14.6 million were without coverage for eyeglasses. The study highlights the need for expanded state-level coverage to improve vision health and promote equity, noting that even where coverage exists, copays and restrictive policies often hinder access to care.