Medicare covers hearing aids only in limited cases, and most seniors pay out of pocket
Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) does not cover hearing aids or the fitting exam. This has been true for decades. Medicare will pay for a hearing test ordered by your doctor if it is medically necessary — for example, to rule out an ear infection — but the hearing aid itself is not covered under any circumstance.
Some Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) do cover hearing aids, but coverage varies widely by plan and by state. A few plans cover up to $2,000 per ear per year; others cover nothing. You have to check your specific plan's formulary or call the plan directly to know what you have. Changing plans during open enrollment is one of the few ways to gain coverage if your current plan does not offer it.
Medicaid covers hearing aids in some states but not others, and the amount covered differs. A few states cover the full cost; most cover a portion; some cover nothing. Your state Medicaid office can tell you whether your state covers hearing aids and what the limit is.
Key Takeaways
- Original Medicare does not cover hearing aids under any circumstance, though it may cover a hearing test if medically necessary.
- Medicare Advantage plans vary by state and plan — some cover up to $2,000 per ear per year, others cover nothing, so you must check your specific plan.
- Medicaid coverage of hearing aids depends entirely on your state; call your state Medicaid office to learn what your state covers.
- Veterans with service-connected hearing loss can receive hearing aids through the VA at no cost, regardless of income.
- Private insurance rarely covers hearing aids, and most seniors without coverage pay the full cost themselves or use discount programs.
Medicare Advantage plans: the only Medicare option with possible coverage
If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you may have hearing aid coverage, but you need to verify it yourself. Call the customer service number on your insurance card and ask whether your plan covers hearing aids, what the annual limit is, and whether you need a referral from your primary care doctor. Write down the answers and ask for them in writing if possible.
Coverage limits vary. Some plans cover one hearing aid per year; others cover two. Some reimburse you after you pay; others pay the provider directly. Some require you to use a network provider; others do not. These details matter because they affect what you pay out of pocket.
If your current plan does not cover hearing aids and you know you need them, you can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan during the annual open enrollment period (October 15 to December 7 each year). You can also switch back to Original Medicare during this window, though that would mean losing any other coverage your current plan provides.
Medicaid coverage varies by state and income level
Medicaid is a joint federal and state program, which means each state sets its own rules about what it covers. Some states cover hearing aids as a standard benefit; others cover them only for children; others do not cover them at all. Your income and assets also matter — Medicaid has limits on both, and they vary by state.
To find out whether your state covers hearing aids, contact your state Medicaid office directly. You can find your state office through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services website or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE and asking for your state Medicaid number. When you call, ask three things: whether your state covers hearing aids, what the annual or lifetime limit is, and what the income and asset limits are for a single person your age.
If your state does cover hearing aids, Medicaid usually requires a prescription from a doctor and fitting by a licensed audiologist. You may also have to use a provider on the Medicaid network in your state.
Veterans and service-connected hearing loss: VA coverage at no cost
If you are a veteran with hearing loss that the Department of Veterans Affairs determines is service-connected — meaning it resulted from your military service — the VA provides hearing aids at no cost to you, regardless of your income. The VA also covers the fitting, adjustments, and replacement batteries for the life of the device.
To pursue this benefit, you must file a claim with the VA. You can do this online through VA.gov, by mail, or in person at your nearest VA medical center. The VA will order a hearing test and, if service connection is granted, refer you to audiology for fitting. The entire process typically takes several weeks to a few months.
If you are a veteran but unsure whether your hearing loss is service-connected, file a claim anyway. The VA will investigate and make the information. You can also contact your state's veterans affairs office for help with the process.
Private insurance and employer plans rarely cover hearing aids
Most private health insurance plans, including those sold on the marketplace, do not cover hearing aids. Some employer-sponsored plans offer a small benefit — typically $500 to $1,500 per year — but this is uncommon and usually only for active employees, not retirees.
If you have private insurance, call your plan and ask directly. Request the answer in writing. If your plan does not cover hearing aids, ask whether it covers the hearing test itself, since that is sometimes covered as a diagnostic service.
If you are still working and your employer offers health insurance, check your plan documents or call your benefits department to see whether hearing aids are covered. Some plans cover them; most do not. If you are retiring soon, ask whether retiree coverage includes hearing aids before you retire, since coverage often changes or ends after retirement.
Discount programs and manufacturer information when insurance does not cover
If you do not have insurance coverage for hearing aids, several programs can reduce the cost. Hearing aid manufacturers often offer patient information programs that provide discounts or payment plans. Starkey, Phonak, Widex, Oticon, and ReSound all have programs; ask your audiologist whether you may have access to.
Some audiologists and hearing aid retailers offer in-house financing or payment plans that spread the cost over 12 to 36 months with little or no interest. Others offer discounts for paying in full upfront. Ask what options are available before you commit to a purchase.
AARP offers a hearing aid discount program to members, though the discount is typically 10 to 20 percent off retail price, not a substitute for insurance. Some senior centers and Area Agencies on Aging also know about local programs or clinics that offer reduced-cost services.
How to find out what your specific coverage is
The only way to know what you are covered for is to contact your insurance directly. Do not rely on what a hearing aid retailer tells you — they may not have current information about your plan. Here is what to do:
- Find your insurance card or log into your online account to get your plan name and member ID.
- Call the customer service number on the back of your card.
- Ask: "Does my plan cover hearing aids? If yes, what is the annual limit, do I need a referral, and do I have to use a network provider?"
- Write down the answers and ask for them in writing if the representative offers.
- If you are told there is no coverage, ask whether the plan covers a hearing test as a diagnostic service.
Keep this information with your insurance card. If you later purchase a hearing aid, you will need it to file a claim or to know whether to expect reimbursement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Medicare Part D cover hearing aids?
No. Part D covers prescription drugs only, not medical devices like hearing aids. Original Medicare does not cover hearing aids under any part, and Part D does not change that.
Can I get a hearing aid covered if my doctor says I need one?
A doctor's prescription helps with Medicaid in some states and with the VA if you are a veteran, but it does not change Medicare's rule — Original Medicare does not cover hearing aids even with a prescription. Medicare Advantage plans may cover them, but only if your specific plan includes that benefit.
What if I switch Medicare Advantage plans — will the new plan cover hearing aids I already bought?
No. Insurance covers services going forward, not devices you already purchased. If you buy a hearing aid while enrolled in a plan that does not cover it, the new plan will not reimburse you retroactively. This is why it is important to check coverage before you buy.
Do I have to use a specific audiologist or hearing aid brand if my plan covers hearing aids?
It depends on your plan. Some Medicare Advantage plans require you to use a network provider; others do not. Some plans restrict which brands you can purchase. Call your plan to ask before you schedule a fitting or purchase.
What happens if I turn down a hearing aid because I cannot afford it — can I get it later if I change plans?
Yes. If you switch to a plan that covers hearing aids during open enrollment, you can then pursue coverage under the new plan. There is no penalty for waiting, though the longer you wait, the more your hearing may decline.