Does Medicare Cover Hearing Aids In 2024?

Medicare is the federal health insurance program for older U.S. adults that offers coverage once a person turns 65. Original Medicare (also known as Parts A and B, or the public portion of Medicare) does not cover most routine hearing care or the cost of hearing aids. If you have this kind of coverage, expect to pay 100% of the costs associated with hearing aids.

However, Medicare’s private sector often offers hearing aid benefits through Medicare Advantage plans, says Christian Worstell, a licensed health insurance agent based in Apex, North Carolina. This type of coverage is commonly referred to as Medicare Part C^[2]Medicare Advantage 2021 Spotlight: First Look. Kaiser Family Foundation. Accessed 10/9/2021. .

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 88% of Medicare Advantage plans cover hearing aids.

What Medicare Advantage Plan Covers Hearing Aids?

Only Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) provide coverage for the cost of hearing aids. These plans are legally required to provide all the same coverage as Original Medicare and are free to offer additional benefits, says Worstell. “Hearing aid coverage is a common extra benefit in these plans, along with coverage for dental, vision and prescription drugs,” he adds.

Coverage varies based on your exact plan and insurance provider.

Medicare Advantage plans can cover hearing tests to determine a person’s need for a hearing aid, the cost of the hearing aids themselves and the fitting process, as well as maintenance and repairs, says Worstell.

“Some plans may use a copayment or coinsurance structure to cover the cost of the hearing aids,” he adds. “Other plans may allocate an allowance that the plan member may spend on their hearing aids.”

What Does Hearing Aid Coverage Cost as Part of Medicare Advantage Plan?

“There’s typically no extra charge to have hearing aid coverage included in a Medicare Advantage plan,” says Worstell. Many such plans are available for a $0 monthly premium.

Questions to Ask Before You Get Hearing Aids

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suggests asking a hearing health professional the following questions about hearing aids before making a purchasing decision:

• What type of hearing aids would best suit my lifestyle?
• What factors should I consider when choosing hearing aids?
• Where should I get my hearing aids?
• Do I have to get a medical exam first? Why or why not?
• How many hearing aids will I need? One or two?
• Is there a trial period for trying the hearing aids?
• How do I take care of my hearing aids?
• How will I be able to tell if my new hearing aids are working

Original Medicare doesn’t cover hearing aids, hearing exams or hearing aid fittings when provided by an audiologist. (It does cover diagnostic hearing exams deemed necessary by a physician, however.) Though hearing aids today can be a significant expense, sometimes costing upward of $6,000 for a pair, the devices were available at a lower cost when Medicare was first introduced in 1965. Medicare excluded hearing aids from coverage, claiming consumers could make the purchase themselves.

However, some Medicare Advantage plans may offer hearing aids coverage, depending on the insurance provider and specific plan selected. If you need help paying for your hearing aids, consider researching the various Medicare Advantage plans available to you and speaking to providers about potential hearing health benefits.

Will Medicare Part A and Part B Pay for Hearing Aids in the Future?

In November 2021, the H.R.5376 Build Back Better Act was introduced to Congress, which would add hearing aids and hearing care to Medicare coverage. The bill has been passed by the House and is now awaiting review by the Senate.

Should the bill pass, hearing health and hearing aids will be included in Medicare coverage come October 2023.

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Typically, Medicare Supplement (also known as Medigap) plans do not cover hearing aids. Much like Original Medicare, these plans place the responsibility of the cost of hearing aids on the user.

Meanwhile, veterans in need of hearing aids may qualify for coverage through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and federal workers may be eligible for hearing aid coverage through the Federal Employees Health Benefits program, which assists federal employees, their families and survivors with coverage of their health needs.

Medicaid provides health care coverage to eligible low-income adults, children, older adults, pregnant people and people with disabilities, and it’s administered by each state based on need in accordance with federal requirements. Hearing aid coverage through Medicaid depends on the state in which you live and your age. People under the age of 21 with hearing impairments are entitled to hearing health services including hearing assessments, hearing aid evaluations and medically necessary hearing aids, accessories and services.

Adults may receive coverage for hearing aids and other hearing health needs based on their location. For example, an adult over the age of 21 is eligible for hearing aid coverage and hearing services in the state of California but won’t receive coverage in Alabama. In some states, hearing aid batteries are not included in coverage.

To see if you qualify for hearing aid coverage through Medicaid or to apply for coverage, visit medicaid.gov.

If you’re paying for hearing aids out of pocket and looking for ways to save on cost outside of Medicare Advantage coverage, there are several options available.

Retirees may be able to receive coverage through the Federal Employee Health Benefits program. If you have a health savings account (HSA) or flexible savings account (FSA) through your insurance program, you may be able to dedicate pre-tax income toward your hearing aid cost as well. Purchasing hearing aids through Costco or other wholesale retailers can also help reduce your expenses, as these vendors typically sell hearing aids at a lower cost than audiology offices.

If you did purchase a hearing aid through an audiologist’s office, ask about unbundling their services from your payments to ensure you’re only paying for the device. Choosing a basic hearing aid over one with special features, such as streaming capabilities, can also help keep costs low.

Without the financial help of insurance or other services, hearing aids can cost an average of $2,000 per aid depending on the type, model and features included. The most basic options can cost $700 per hearing aid from wholesale retailers like Costco while premium options, such as those with Bluetooth connectivity, can cost over $3,000 per hearing aid. It’s also important to note that most hearing aid costs are bundled to include audiology services, which can include fittings and repairs. Unbundling these services can help save on initial costs.

How Much Do Hearing Aids Cost With Medicare?

Medicare doesn’t cover hearing aids or hearing health services, meaning you’re responsible for the full cost of your hearing aids. The cost of your hearing aid is determined by the type of hearing aid you choose, whether you choose to bundle the cost of your hearing aid with audiology services and the cost of batteries and/or other accessories.

You can sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan when you’re first eligible for Original Medicare, starting three months before you turn 65 and then for three months afterward. If you’re already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can switch to a new one that includes hearing aid coverage during the Medicare Advantage open enrollment period, which runs from Jan. 1 to March 31 annually.

To enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, you need to provide your Medicare number and the date your Part A and/or Part B coverage began. You can find this information on your Medicare card.

The best way to find and enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan with hearing aid benefits is to connect with a licensed insurance agent, says Worstell. The agent can help you comb through and review the plans available to you that include hearing aid benefits. It’s a great way to figure out the costs, coverage and terms of each one and determine which plan may be the best fit for your needs, he adds.

You can also use Medicare’s Plan Finder, a free online tool, to compare the details of plans you’re considering.