Walmart Vision Center accepts Medicaid in most states, but coverage and which services are paid for vary significantly by your state's program.

Walmart Vision Centers are in-store optical shops inside Walmart locations. They perform eye exams, fit glasses, and sell contact lenses. Whether Medicaid covers these services depends on two things: whether your state's Medicaid program covers vision care at all, and whether Walmart Vision Center is enrolled as a Medicaid provider in your state.

Not every state covers routine eye exams or glasses through Medicaid. Some states cover only children's vision care. Others cover adults only if they have certain conditions like diabetes. A few states cover vision care for all adults. You need to know what your state covers before you go to Walmart.

Even in states that do cover vision care, Walmart Vision Center must be enrolled with your state's Medicaid program to bill it directly. Some Walmart locations are enrolled and some are not, even within the same state. The only way to know for certain is to call the Walmart Vision Center in your area or contact your state Medicaid office.

Key Takeaways

  • Your state Medicaid program determines whether vision care is covered at all — some states cover it for all adults, some only for children, and some only for specific conditions.
  • Walmart Vision Center must be enrolled as a Medicaid provider in your state for you to use your card there; enrollment varies by location and state.
  • The fastest way to find out is to call the Walmart Vision Center directly and ask whether they take your Medicaid plan.
  • If Walmart Vision Center does not accept your Medicaid, your state Medicaid office can tell you which eye doctors in your area do.
  • Some states cover only the eye exam, some cover glasses or contacts too, and some cover none of these — you need to check your state's rules.

How to learn about your Walmart Vision Center takes your Medicaid

Call the Walmart Vision Center at the location nearest you. Ask to speak with someone who handles insurance. Tell them your Medicaid plan name (for example, "Medicaid" or the name of your state's managed care plan if you are enrolled in one). Ask whether they are enrolled to accept that plan and whether they have openings for new patients.

Write down the phone number before you go. Walmart Vision Center phone numbers are usually listed on Walmart.com under the specific store location, or you can call the main Walmart store and ask for the Vision Center directly. Some Vision Centers have their own direct line.

If the Vision Center says they do not take your Medicaid plan, contact your state Medicaid office or call 211 and ask for a list of eye doctors or optometrists in your area who do. Your state Medicaid program maintains a directory of enrolled providers, and staff can tell you which ones have openings.

What Medicaid typically covers at an eye doctor

Coverage varies by state, but most state Medicaid programs that cover vision care pay for one or more of these: an eye exam (also called a comprehensive eye exam or refraction), eyeglasses, or contact lenses. Some states cover all three. Some cover only the exam. A few cover the exam and glasses but not contacts.

Most states that cover glasses limit how often you can get a new pair — commonly once every one or two years. Some states cover only one pair per year. The frames and lenses covered may also be limited to basic styles, though many states now cover a wider range.

Children's vision coverage is more generous in most states than adult coverage. Many states that do not cover routine eye exams for adults do cover them for children, and may cover glasses more frequently.

States with limited or no adult vision coverage

Several states do not cover routine eye exams or glasses for adults through Medicaid. These include Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Wyoming. However, these states may still cover vision care if you have a specific medical condition — for example, if you have diabetes and need an eye exam to check for diabetic retinopathy.

If your state does not cover routine vision care, you may still be able to get an eye exam through a federally may have access to health center (FQHC) or community health center. These centers sometimes offer vision services on a sliding fee scale based on income. Call 211 or search findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov to locate one near you.

What to bring to your Walmart Vision Center appointment

Bring your Medicaid card and a photo ID. If you are unsure whether your card is current, call your state Medicaid office before your appointment to confirm your coverage is active. Some people have gaps in coverage without realizing it.

If you are seeing an eye doctor for the first time or have not been in several years, bring any old glasses or contact lens prescriptions if you have them. This helps the doctor compare your vision over time. You do not need a referral from another doctor to see an optometrist at Walmart Vision Center, but if you have one, bring it.

If Walmart Vision Center is not in your state's Medicaid network

Not all Walmart Vision Centers are enrolled with Medicaid in every state. Some states have very few Walmart locations enrolled, or none at all. If the Vision Center near you does not take your Medicaid, you have other options.

Contact your state Medicaid office and ask for a list of in-network eye doctors. You can also call 211 and ask for vision care providers who take Medicaid. Many independent optometrists and ophthalmologists are enrolled, as well as vision clinics run by community health centers.

If you live in a rural area with few options, some states allow you to see an out-of-network provider and still have Medicaid cover part of the cost. Ask your state Medicaid office whether this is an option in your state and what paperwork you need.

Managed care plans and Medicaid vision coverage

If you are enrolled in a Medicaid managed care plan (sometimes called a health maintenance organization or HMO), your vision coverage may be different from the state's standard Medicaid program. Some managed care plans cover more vision services than the state does; some cover less.

Call the customer service number on your managed care plan card and ask what vision services are covered and whether Walmart Vision Center is in your plan's network. The answer may be different from what the state Medicaid office tells you, because managed care plans set their own rules within state guidelines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a referral to see an optometrist at Walmart Vision Center?

No. Medicaid does not require a referral to see an optometrist for a routine eye exam. If you have a referral from another doctor, bring it, but you do not need one to make an appointment.

Will Walmart Vision Center bill my Medicaid directly, or do I pay and get reimbursed?

If Walmart Vision Center is enrolled with your state Medicaid program, they will bill Medicaid directly and you should pay only any copay required by your plan. If they are not enrolled, you will pay out of pocket and would need to submit a claim yourself — though most people do not get reimbursed this way.

What if I need glasses but my state Medicaid does not cover them?

Some nonprofit organizations and community health centers offer low-cost or free glasses to people who cannot afford them. Call 211 or search for "free glasses near me" to find programs in your area. Some Walmart Vision Centers also offer discounts on frames and lenses for uninsured customers.

Can I use my Medicaid card at Walmart to buy glasses without an exam?

No. You need a current eye exam and a valid prescription from an eye doctor to purchase glasses through Medicaid. The prescription must be dated within the last one or two years, depending on your state's rules.

How long does it take to get glasses after my exam at Walmart Vision Center?

Walmart Vision Center usually makes glasses on-site or has them ready within a few days. Ask when you schedule your appointment. If you need glasses urgently, tell the Vision Center staff — they may be able to prioritize your order.