The average cost of hearing aids can range between $1,000 to $6,000 for a pair. This cost can be hard to manage, especially for people over the age of 75 with limited income who are more prone to hearing loss. So the question of whether Medicare can help cover those costs naturally appears.

Does Medicare pay for hearing aids?

There are different types of Medicare plans, each with different coverage benefits. Original Medicare offers affordable health insurance for people over the age of 65 years and those with qualifying conditions. However, Original Medicare coverage has some exclusions, including hearing, vision, and dental coverage.

Original Medicare, which includes Medicare part A and part B, does not pay for hearing aids. This means that you will pay for the cost of the hearing aids as well as any hearing exams and fitting charges that apply.

In some cases, your Medicare Part B plan may cover the cost of hearing exams but only if the exam is recommended by your primary physician. Medicare will not cover the cost of a hearing exam if you go to a hearing clinic without a referral.

Why Original Medicare doesn’t cover hearing aids?

The Social Security Act amendments that established Medicare and Medicaid as government insurance programs in 1965 excluded hearing exams and hearing aids from Medicare coverage. This was due to the fact that the cost of hearing aids was considered low so it was thought that patients could cover the cost out of pocket.

The increase in the cost of hearing aids over time has underscored the need to add hearing aids as an Original Medicare benefit. The Medicare Dental, Vision, and Hearing Benefit Act of 2021 was introduced by members of the U.S. House of Representatives in July 2021 to include hearing aids as well as dental and vision coverage in Medicare Part B. This means that it is possible that in the future hearing aids and exams will be covered under Part B of your Medicare plan.

Does Medicare Advantage pay for hearing aids?

Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies to replace original Medicare. One of the benefits of Medicare Advantage plans is that they offer additional coverage including dental, vision, and hearing.

Most Medicare Advantage plans offer coverage for hearing exams and hearing aids. Up to 97% of Medicare Advantage plans offer coverage for hearing exams while up to 88% of Medicare Advantage plans offer coverage for hearing aids. However, the extent of coverage will vary depending on your particular plan.

Even if your Medicare Advantage plan covers hearing aids, you are likely to still incur some out-of-pocket costs including deductibles and copayments. Some insurers will also require you to seek prior authorization from the plan to get payment for hearing aids and diagnostic hearing exams.

Does Medicare Part D cover hearing aids?

Medicare Part D offers prescription drug coverage but hearing aids are not covered by this part of Medicare.

Does Medigap pay for hearing aids?

If you have a Medicare supplement plan or Medigap, you will not get any coverage for hearing aids. While Medigap plans supplement your Original Medicare coverage by covering out-of-pocket costs like deductibles and copayments, this type of plan does not pay for hearing aids.

Does Medicaid cover hearing aids?

Medicaid provides coverage for hearing aids for any child in the U.S on Medicaid who has hearing loss anywhere in the U.S. However, if you are an adult Medicaid coverage for hearing varies depending on the state you live in.

Alaska, California, Florida, Idaho, and Iowa are some of the states where Medicaid offers such coverage. You can find out if Medicaid covers hearing aids in your state and the extent of coverage if available.

How to get help paying for hearing aids beyond Medicare

A University of Michigan study found that lack of adequate insurance coverage is one of the main barriers to older patients getting access to hearing aids. If you do not have a Medicare Advantage plan, you can still get help. Some of the options available that you can use are:

• The Hearing Aid Project donates remanufactured hearing aids for people in need.

• The Starkey Hearing Foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides hearing aids to those who cannot afford them.

• If you are a veteran and you qualify for veteran benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), you may qualify for hearing aids at no cost. The VA provides hearing aids for eligible veterans such as those with a service-related hearing impairment.

• If you’re a member of AARP, you can get discounts of up to 20% on hearing aids at any of their participating hearing clinics across the country.

Other services excluded from Medicare coverage

Apart from hearing aids, Original Medicare also has other exclusions that are not covered. Understanding these exclusions can help you choose a Medicare Plan that will best address your health care needs.

The main exclusions in Original Medicare include:

Bottom line

Hearing loss is a common problem among the elderly population. Unfortunately, Medicare Parts A and B do not include coverage for hearing devices. However, Medicare Advantage plans which are offered by private insurance companies, usually include coverage for hearing exams and hearing aids. You can also take advantage of other resources available for people with hearing impairments to get hearing aids at no cost or at discounted rates.