Lighthouse International Urges Insurance Coverage for Low Vision Devices
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) of the US Department of Health and Human Services has recently decided to continue to exclude coverage for low vision aids/assistive technology devices.
Lighthouse International is requesting reconsideration of these regulations. Low vision devices are critical to maintaining independence for people with impaired vision, particularly older adults.
Background
Low vision aids are prescribed by low vision doctors as part of the comprehensive vision rehabilitation process designed to restore functioning for people who are visually impaired. Ranging from strong reading lenses and magnifiers to electronic magnification systems (closed-circuit television systems known as CCTVs) and other low vision technologies, low vision devices are critically important tools that enable people who are visually impaired to read, write, cook, and remain safe and independent. These aids are essential to ensuring function, health and quality of life for older Americans living with impaired vision and, oftentimes, an increasing number of co-morbid conditions.
The cost of some low vision devices is prohibitive, especially for older Americans on fixed incomes. Without CMS coverage, an alarming number of people will be at risk for medical complications, accidents and injuries, further straining our over-tapped healthcare system.
It is striking to note that today, vision impairment is one of the four leading causes of loss of independence among older adults; lost independence due to all causes costs the US over $26 billion in medical and long-term care each year.
There is a clear need to distinguish between routine eyeglasses that correct refractive errors, which are not covered, and low vision devices. This issue has been delineated very effectively by the American Academy of Ophthalmology: "These devices do not correct the visual acuity through the correction of refractive errors; they are prosthetics that replace part of the function of a non-functioning organ."
Lighthouse International joins the Academy and other leading organizations like the American Foundation for the Blind in urging that CMS reconsider its decision to bar coverage of low vision devices.
Check back for updates and to learn what you can do.