Does Medicare Cover Vitrectomy Chairs?

A Vitrectomy is a type of surgery for the eyes. After undergoing the procedure, many people like to use a Vitrectomy chair. This chair helps them be more comfortable while they recover.

A common question many have is “does Medicare cover Vitrectomy chairs? In this article, we answer that question in clear, plain English. You’ll also find the average costs of Vitrectomy chairs as well as other helpful info.

Does Medicare Cover Vitrectomy Chairs?

The short answer is, no, in most cases Medicare will not cover the cost of a Vitrectomy Chair. This is because Medicare does not consider them to be medically necessary. It also does not consider them to be home medical equipment.

So even though Vitrectomy chairs can be helpful for those who recently underwent surgery, Medicare will not cover them.

This is true both of Medicare Part B as well as most Medicare Advantage plans. However, there are some private insurance plans that might cover a Vitrectomy chair. We recommend you check with your insurance provider ahead of time. You will likely have to get authorization for the chair ahead of time in order to get coverage.

How Much Do Vitrectomy Chairs Cost?

You can find Vitrectomy chairs online for between $70 and $200. However, a lot of these are more geared toward other uses (like for massage or tattoo shops!).

You can also rent Vitrectomy chairs. Rentals prices range from $7 – $20 a day depending on the type of chair and what other options you get with it.

About Vitrectomy Chairs

Vitrectomy chairs are designed for people recovering after vitrectomy surgery. It provides a lot of comfort to those who are recovering from the surgery.

Many people who go through this kind of surgery find it annoying, uncomfortable, and even painful when they are facing down for long periods. Vitrectomy chairs provide great face-down support to make it more bearable.

About Vitrectomy Surgery

Vitrectomy is used to treat both the retina and vitreous. This surgery can do several things. It can be used to remove blood or other substances that keep light from focusing correctly on the retina. It can also be used to eliminate scar tissue that tears the retina.

This type of operation can also help repair a retina that has detached from the eyewall. As a result, a Vitrectomy can remove one or more foreign objects that are stuck in the eyes and vitreous in the middle of the eyes. After the vitreous is removed, it will be replaced with a saline solution or a bubble that is made of gas or oil.

Conditions Vitrectomy Surgery Can Help Fix

There are a lot of eye conditions and diseases that a vitrectomy surgery can solve. Your doctor may recommend having a vitrectomy surgery if you have at least one of these conditions:

Diabetic retinopathy; bleeding or scar tissue on the retina that blocks vision
Some forms of retinal detachment
Macular hole; the tearing in the macula
Macular pucker; wrinkling in the macula
Endophthalmitis; an eye infection
Severe eye injury
Specific problems after cataract surgery, including bleeding in the eye as well as detachment of the retina.

Recovery From Vitrectomy Surgery

Vitrectomy surgeries are often done alongside other eye surgeries. So this makes the recovery different from person to person.

After surgery, your doctor will likely tell you to avoid some activities like driving or reading for a while. Eye drops are often prescribed to prevent eye infections.

Some people also use vitrectomy recovery equipment, such as a vitrectomy chair, to help them with certain activities. Most of the time, it takes 4 to 6 weeks to recover from a vitrectomy surgery fully.

Note: Medicare coverage changes all the time. And your specific coverage may vary from plan to plan for Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans. Always be sure to double check with your health care provider and/or Medicare insurance provider about what your plan covers and what it does not.