Does Medicare Cover Hearing Aids? What to Do If It Doesn't

Hearing aids are one of the biggest out-of-pocket health costs for many older adults, and Medicare is often the first place people look for help. Here is what Medicare does and does not pay for, and what you can do if it does not cover you.

Does Original Medicare cover hearing aids?

No. Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) does not pay for hearing aids or for exams to fit them, according to Medicare.gov. You pay 100% of the cost of the hearing aids yourself.

What Part B does cover

Part B may cover a diagnostic hearing and balance exam if your doctor orders it to find out whether you need medical treatment, for example for sudden hearing loss, dizziness or an ear problem. That is a medical exam, not a hearing aid fitting.

Medicare Advantage (Part C)

Medicare Advantage plans are run by private insurers approved by Medicare. Many of them include some hearing benefits that Original Medicare does not, such as:

• A yearly routine hearing exam
• An allowance or discount toward hearing aids
• Access to a network of hearing providers

Benefits vary a lot between plans. Some only cover hearing aids bought through a particular provider, and some do not cover OTC hearing aids at all. Call your plan or read its Evidence of Coverage before you buy, and ask:

1. Do you cover hearing aids, and how much per ear or per year?
2. Do OTC hearing aids count, or only hearing aids from your network?
3. Do I need a referral or a hearing test first?
4. How do I submit a receipt?

Medicaid and other programs

• Medicaid covers hearing aids for adults in some states but not others. Check with your state Medicaid office.
• Veterans may get hearing aids through the VA. Contact your local VA medical center.
• Federal employees and some union or employer retiree plans include hearing aid benefits.
• Nonprofit and state programs help with hearing aids in some areas. Your local Area Agency on Aging can point you to them.

Other ways to lower the cost

• Use an HSA or FSA. Hearing aids are a qualified medical expense, so you can pay with pre-tax money. See Can you use an HSA or FSA for hearing aids?
• Consider OTC hearing aids. If you have perceived mild to moderate hearing loss and none of the warning signs that mean see a doctor first, OTC hearing aids usually cost far less than prescription hearing aids from a clinic.
• Look for a money back guarantee. A trial period lets you check that a hearing aid works for you before you commit. HEARVELA has a 60-day money back guarantee.

The short answer

Original Medicare does not pay for hearing aids. A Medicare Advantage plan might, so check your plan's hearing benefits first. If you are paying yourself, an HSA or FSA and an OTC hearing aid can bring the cost down a lot.

Coverage rules change. Always confirm with Medicare or your plan before you buy.