Diabetic Eye Care – Don’t Skip It
Posted on June 26, 2026
Eye health can be affected when you have diabetes. Seeing an eye doctor at least once a year for a comprehensive dilated eye exam is an essential task for good health. Diabetes raises the risk for several eye diseases that can steal your sight. Most of them start with few, if any, symptoms.
Eye diseases commonly associated with diabetes include diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, glaucoma, and cataracts. An eye doctor can spot the diseases early, when they are often easier to treat. Managing your risks and seeing your eye doctor on a regular basis can help protect your eyes.
Diabetic Eye Exam Coverage
If you have diabetes, we recommend you get an annual Diabetic Eye Exam. This exam is covered under your Medical Coverage with your Health New England Medicare Advantage health plan (copay may apply).
Services such as diabetic eye care, glaucoma treatment, and other eye health care are considered medical care and can be obtained from Health New England’s in-network eye care providers, also known as Ophthalmologists/Optometrists.
Important: If your eye doctor accepts your Health New England medical plan, please show your Health New England member ID card—not your NationsBenefits card—when you receive your diabetic eye exam. (These medical services are not part of the vision/prescription eyewear benefit through NationsBenefits/NationsVision.)
To find a list of eye care providers that are part of your Medicare Advantage plan, visit healthnewengland.org/medicare/provider. Click the blue Search Providers button; next click the blue Advanced Search button and select Ophthalmology or Optometry from the Specialty dropdown; then click the green Search button. Or, call Health New England’s Medicare Advantage Member Services team if you need assistance finding a provider at (877) 443-3314 (TTY: 711), 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday (Oct. 1 – Mar. 31: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., seven days a week).
Read our handout about Diabetic Eye Care >>
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