Does Medicaid Cover Vision in Louisiana?

Yes — Louisiana Medicaid covers vision care for both kids and adults, but the benefit looks different depending on age and managed care plan (e.g., AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana, Aetna, Healthy Blue).

Children and youth under age 21 get comprehensive, fully covered vision coverage, including annual eye exams, up to three pairs of glasses per year, and treatment for eye conditions, as part of their regular well-child care.

Adults get a more limited benefit: while they still get a yearly eye exam and treatment for eye conditions, they have a set allowance per calendar year towards eyeglasses frames, lenses, and contact lenses. The amount of the allowance and other vision benefits can vary slightly by your specific managed care plan.

What Vision Services Does Louisiana Medicaid Cover for Children?

Children and youth under age 21 on Louisiana Medicaid get comprehensive, fully covered vision coverage. 

That means your child's coverage includes:

• Routine eye exams as part of regular well-child visits.

• Eyeglasses and replacements — up to 3 pairs of eyeglasses per calendar year without special review, including metal or plastic frames and untinted plastic or glass lenses, in case your glasses are lost or broken

• Treatment for diagnosed eye conditions — including amblyopia (lazy eye) and strabismus (crossed or misaligned eyes).

• Medically necessary specialty eyewear and contact lenses — typically fully covered if they are the only means for restoring vision. Needs prior authorization from your health plan.

If your child needs more than a routine exam, ask their primary care provider whether a referral is needed, and check that the eye doctor is in your plan's network before booking.

What Vision Services Does Louisiana Medicaid Cover for Adults?

Adults (above age 21) are generally covered for one eye exam per calendar year and medically necessary treatment of eye diseases, injuries, and infections. Beyond that, your plan helps cover the cost of glasses or contacts — exactly how varies by plan:

• Aetna Better Health: $125 each calendar year toward eyewear (frames, glass, or contact lenses)

• AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana: $100 toward the purchase of eyeglasses (frames and lenses) or contact lenses once per year

• Healthy Blue: Up to $100 value for glasses (frames and lenses) or contacts once a year

• Humana Healthy Horizons: Up to $100 allowance for one set of glasses (frames and lenses) or contacts during the plan year

• Louisiana Healthcare Connections: One pair of glasses (frames and lenses), or an annual supply of contacts, per year

If you want eyeglasses or contacts that cost more than what your plan covers, you’re generally responsible for the remaining balance.

Before you book an appointment, make sure you’re seeing an in-network provider, and call your plan to confirm your exact benefit. Not sure which plan you have? It’s printed on your Medicaid ID card, or you can look it up by logging into your account at  myMedicaid.la.gov.

Not sure what your plan covers? You don't have to figure this out alone.

Nest Health is an in-home, whole-family primary care provider for Medicaid families in New Orleans and Baton Rouge — and part of what we do is help our patients navigate exactly these kinds of coverage questions. If you’re eligible for our services, our care team can help you sort out what’s covered, what requires a referral, and what steps to take next. Call 866-222-NEST (6378) to find out if your family qualifies.