How to Find Eyeglasses Covered by Medi-Cal

If you are one of the beneficiaries of vision care services offered by the California Medical Assistance Program, the process of finding eyeglasses is fairly simple. After determining eligibility and finding a participating eye doctor, you need to work with your doctor to determine whether you need glasses and what prescription you need. Finding places to choose frames and get your prescription filled involves finding an eligible provider from California's Medi-Cal web site, but you may have to go no further than your own eye doctor's office to choose your new eyeglasses.

Determine whether you are a member of the groups eligible for vision services under Medi-Cal rules. As of 2014, Medi-Cal pays for testing services at any age, but only certain groups qualify to receive eyeglasses. You must be 21-years-old or younger with full Medi-Cal services, a resident of a nursing home or a pregnant woman whose doctor can attest that not having vision services will harm your unborn baby.

Visit an optometrist or an ophthalmologist listed as a provider in the Medi-Cal program to begin the process for obtaining eyeglasses covered by Medi-Cal. Under the plan's requirements, your doctor must determine that glasses are medically necessary. Find a participating doctor on the California Department of Health Care Services "Find a Vision Care Doctor" web page, and bring your Benefits Identification Card with you to the appointment.

Choose a pair of eyeglass frames from the optical dispensary in your eye doctor's office if one is available. If your eye doctor does not have frames in his or her office, you can take your eyeglass prescription to another optometrist, ophthalmologist or optician with an eyeglass dispensary to choose frames and have your eyeglasses made.