Warby Parker does not accept Medicare directly, but you may still be able to use Medicare benefits to pay for glasses there

Warby Parker is an online and in-store eyewear retailer that does not have a contract with Medicare. This means you cannot walk in, show your Medicare card, and have Warby Parker bill Medicare for your purchase. However, if your eye doctor prescribes glasses and Medicare covers that prescription, you can use your out-of-pocket Medicare benefits to buy frames and lenses from Warby Parker and then seek reimbursement through your plan.

The path depends on whether you have Original Medicare (Parts A and B) or a Medicare Advantage plan. Original Medicare covers one pair of glasses or contact lenses per year after cataract surgery, but only if you use a Medicare-contracted supplier. Warby Parker is not one of these suppliers. Medicare Advantage plans vary widely — some cover vision care and some do not — and some may cover Warby Parker purchases if the retailer meets their network requirements.

Key Takeaways

  • Warby Parker does not bill Medicare directly, so you cannot use your Medicare card at checkout.
  • Original Medicare covers one pair of post-cataract-surgery glasses per year, but only through Medicare-contracted suppliers, which does not include Warby Parker.
  • Medicare Advantage plans have their own vision coverage rules and networks, and some may reimburse Warby Parker purchases while others will not.
  • You can always buy glasses from Warby Parker out of pocket and then contact your plan to ask about reimbursement, though reimbursement is not may provide.
  • If you need vision coverage, check your plan documents or call your insurer to confirm which retailers are in-network before you purchase.

How Original Medicare covers glasses

Original Medicare (Part B) covers eyeglasses or contact lenses, but only in a narrow situation: after cataract surgery. You get one pair of glasses or one set of contact lenses per year, and Medicare pays a set amount toward frames and lenses. The catch is that you must use a Medicare-contracted supplier — a retailer that has signed an agreement with Medicare to accept Medicare's payment rates and follow Medicare's rules.

Warby Parker is not a Medicare-contracted supplier. If you have Original Medicare and need glasses after cataract surgery, you will need to use a contracted supplier such as a local optometrist's office, a chain like LensCrafters or Pearle Vision that participates in Medicare, or a mail-order supplier that Medicare recognizes. You can search for contracted suppliers in your area on the Medicare website or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE.

If you buy glasses from Warby Parker after cataract surgery, Medicare will not reimburse you because Warby Parker does not have a Medicare contract. Original Medicare does not cover routine eye exams, frames, or lenses outside of the post-cataract-surgery benefit, so there is no other Medicare pathway to pay Warby Parker for regular glasses.

What Medicare Advantage plans may cover

Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are run by private insurance companies and can offer benefits that Original Medicare does not, including vision coverage. Many Medicare Advantage plans do include vision benefits — some cover eye exams, frames, lenses, or contact lenses — but the details vary widely by plan and by year. Some plans cover vision only through in-network providers, while others allow you to go out of network and seek reimbursement.

Whether Warby Parker is in-network for your Medicare Advantage plan depends on your specific plan and your insurer's contracts. To find out, you will need to contact your plan directly. Call the customer service number on your insurance card or log into your plan's website and search for vision coverage details. Ask specifically whether Warby Parker is an in-network provider and what your out-of-pocket costs would be if you purchase there.

If Warby Parker is not in-network but your plan does cover out-of-network vision purchases, you may be able to buy glasses there and then submit a claim for reimbursement. Your plan will tell you what documentation you need — usually a receipt and a copy of your prescription. Reimbursement amounts and timelines vary by plan.

Using your prescription to buy from Warby Parker

Whether or not Medicare covers your purchase, you will need a current prescription from an eye doctor to order glasses from Warby Parker. Your prescription must include your pupillary distance (PD), which Warby Parker requires. If your eye doctor did not write your PD on your prescription, you can ask them for it, or Warby Parker offers in-store PD measurements at their locations.

Warby Parker offers frames starting at $95 and lenses at various price points depending on your prescription strength and lens type. You can order online and have glasses shipped to you, or you can visit a Warby Parker store to try on frames in person. If you plan to seek Medicare reimbursement, keep your receipt and any documentation from your eye doctor showing the medical reason for your glasses (such as a post-cataract-surgery note).

Other vision coverage options if Medicare does not help

If you have Original Medicare and need glasses but do not may have access to for the post-cataract-surgery benefit, or if your Medicare Advantage plan does not cover Warby Parker, you have other options. Some standalone vision insurance plans are sold to Medicare beneficiaries and cover routine eye care, frames, and lenses. These plans typically cost $10 to $20 per month and have copays or coinsurance for services and products.

You can also look into programs run by nonprofits or community health centers that offer discounted or free eyeglasses to older adults with low incomes. The Eldercare Locator (1-800-677-1116) can help you find local vision information programs. Some states also run programs specifically for seniors who need vision care.

Warby Parker itself offers a Home Try-On program where you can order five frames to try at home for free before you buy, which can help you make a confident choice. They also offer a one-year warranty on frames and lenses, so if your glasses break or your prescription changes, you have some protection.

How to check your specific Medicare plan's vision coverage

The only way to know for certain whether your plan covers Warby Parker is to contact your insurer directly. Do not rely on Warby Parker's website or customer service to tell you what Medicare will pay — they do not have access to individual plan details and their answer may not be accurate for your situation.

If you have Original Medicare, call 1-800-MEDICARE and ask whether Warby Parker is a Medicare-contracted supplier. The answer will be no, but the representative can explain your options for post-cataract-surgery glasses or other vision coverage. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, call the number on your insurance card and ask: "Is Warby Parker in my vision network?" and "What will I pay out of pocket if I buy glasses there?" Write down the representative's name, the date, and what they told you, in case you need to reference it later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Medicare card at Warby Parker?

No. Warby Parker does not have a contract with Medicare and cannot process Medicare payments at the register. You would need to pay out of pocket at the time of purchase and then contact your insurance plan to ask about reimbursement, if your plan covers vision care.

Will Medicare pay me back if I buy glasses from Warby Parker?

Original Medicare will not reimburse you because Warby Parker is not a Medicare-contracted supplier. Some Medicare Advantage plans may reimburse out-of-network vision purchases, but you will need to check your plan's rules first. Call your plan and ask whether they cover out-of-network vision retailers and what documentation you need to submit a claim.

What if I had cataract surgery and need glasses?

Original Medicare covers one pair of glasses after cataract surgery, but you must use a Medicare-contracted supplier. Search for contracted suppliers on Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE to find options in your area. Warby Parker cannot be used for this benefit.

Does Warby Parker accept any insurance?

Warby Parker does not bill insurance directly at checkout. You pay out of pocket and then submit a claim to your insurance company if your plan covers vision care. Some vision insurance plans and some Medicare Advantage plans may reimburse you, but you will need to check your specific plan's rules.

Where can I find Medicare-contracted eyewear suppliers?

Visit Medicare.gov and use the Supplier Directory, or call 1-800-MEDICARE and ask for a list of Medicare-contracted suppliers in your area. These suppliers can bill Medicare directly for post-cataract-surgery glasses and may also accept other insurance plans.