Survey finds limited pediatric eye care access for Medicaid patients

A survey of eye care practices found that children insured through Medicaid/CHIP face limited access to pediatric eye care, particularly younger children, along with significantly longer appointment wait times than privately insured patients.

Researchers surveyed 368 ophthalmology and optometry practices in North Carolina, of which 246 completed the survey. Combined ophthalmology/optometry practices and larger practices with more than 5 providers were more likely to accept Medicaid.

Among participating practices, 44% provided routine eye care for children aged 0 to 5 years, compared with 84% for children aged 6 to 17 years. Among Medicaid-participating practices, 56% offered routine care for children aged 0 to 5 years, while all provided care for children aged 6 to 17 years.

Median wait times were 46 days for Medicaid patients versus 14 days for privately insured patients at non-Medicaid practices. In addition, 20% of Medicaid-participating practices did not provide Medicaid-covered spectacles.

Practices cited low reimbursement, administrative burden, and corporate policies as key reasons for not accepting Medicaid.

Reference
Cheung NL, Liu EJ, Freedman SF. Access to pediatric eye care among Medicaid-insured children in North Carolina. J AAPOS. 2026;104857. doi: 10.1016/j.jaapos.2026.104857. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 42144069.