Aetna Medicare's hearing aid coverage depends on which plan you have
Aetna offers several types of Medicare plans — Original Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Medicare Advantage, and prescription drug plans — and hearing aid coverage varies significantly between them. Original Medicare itself does not cover hearing aids or hearing exams, but some Aetna Medigap plans and most Aetna Medicare Advantage plans include hearing benefits. The specifics of what you pay and what the plan covers depend entirely on which Aetna plan you chose during enrollment.
The most common way Aetna Medicare covers hearing aids is through a hearing aid discount program bundled into Medicare Advantage plans. This is not the same as full coverage — you typically pay a portion of the cost, and the plan negotiates a reduced price with participating hearing aid providers. Some Aetna plans also cover hearing exams, which Original Medicare does not.
Key Takeaways
- Aetna Medicare Advantage plans usually include hearing benefits, but Original Medicare Supplement plans rarely do, so check your specific plan documents.
- Hearing aid coverage through Aetna typically means a discount program where you pay part of the cost, not full coverage of the device.
- You must use an in-network hearing aid provider to receive the discount or coverage benefit — out-of-network providers are not covered.
- Your plan documents or the Aetna member website will show your exact copay, coinsurance percentage, or discount amount for hearing aids.
- If your current Aetna plan does not cover hearing aids, you can switch to a plan that does during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7).
How to find out what your Aetna plan covers for hearing aids
The fastest way is to log into your Aetna member account online or call the customer service number on the back of your insurance card. Tell them you want to know about hearing aid coverage and ask for the specific copay amount, coinsurance percentage, or discount rate. They can also tell you whether your plan covers a hearing exam and whether you need a referral from your primary care doctor.
You can also review your plan's Summary of Benefits and Coverage document, which Aetna mailed to you when you enrolled and which is available on the Aetna website under your plan details. Look for the section labeled "Hearing Services" or "Hearing Aids." If you cannot find it or the language is unclear, ask Aetna to send you the specific page in writing — they are required to do this.
If you enrolled in an Aetna Medicare Advantage plan through the marketplace or through an agent, contact that agent as well. They often have access to plan comparison tools and can clarify coverage details faster than the general customer service line.
Aetna Medicare Advantage plans and hearing benefits
Most Aetna Medicare Advantage plans (also called Part C plans) include some form of hearing benefit. These typically fall into two categories: plans that cover a portion of the cost of hearing aids through an in-network provider, and plans that offer a hearing aid discount program where you receive a percentage off the retail price.
The amount you pay out of pocket depends on your plan. Some plans cover up to 50% of the cost of hearing aids after you meet your deductible. Others charge a flat copay per device — for example, $500 per hearing aid. Still others offer a discount of 10% to 30% off the provider's standard price. A few higher-premium plans cover hearing aids more generously, but these are less common.
In-network providers are essential. If you go to a hearing aid provider that Aetna has not contracted with, you will likely pay the full retail price with no discount or coverage. Aetna's website includes a provider search tool where you can enter your zip code and find participating audiologists and hearing aid dispensers near you.
Aetna Medigap plans and hearing aid coverage
Aetna Medigap plans (also called Supplemental Insurance) are designed to fill gaps in Original Medicare coverage. Unfortunately, hearing aids are not a gap that Medigap plans are allowed to fill — Original Medicare does not cover them, and Medigap plans cannot add coverage for services that Original Medicare does not cover.
If you have an Aetna Medigap plan and want hearing aid coverage, you would need to switch to an Aetna Medicare Advantage plan instead. You can make this change during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7 each year) or if you may have access to for a Special Enrollment Period due to a life event such as moving or losing other coverage.
What happens after you get a hearing aid through Aetna
Once you have purchased a hearing aid through an in-network provider, the provider will submit a claim to Aetna on your behalf. You will pay your copay, coinsurance, or discount amount at the time of purchase or at the time of fitting. The provider handles the rest of the paperwork with Aetna.
Most Aetna plans cover hearing aid batteries and repairs through the same provider for a set period — often one to three years after purchase. Some plans also cover follow-up appointments and adjustments. Ask your provider what is included in your plan's coverage before you leave the office, so you know what future costs to expect.
If you need a second hearing aid or a replacement after your coverage period ends, you will need to check whether your plan's annual or lifetime limit has been reached. Aetna plans vary in how much they will cover over time — some cover one pair of hearing aids per year, others cover one pair every two or three years, and some have a lifetime maximum.
Changing your Aetna plan if it does not cover hearing aids
If your current Aetna plan does not include hearing benefits and you need them, you have options. During the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7), you can switch to a different Aetna Medicare Advantage plan that does cover hearing aids. You can also switch to a different insurance company's Medicare Advantage plan if another carrier offers better hearing coverage in your area.
To compare plans, use the Medicare Plan Finder tool on Medicare.gov. Enter your zip code, current medications, and doctors, and the tool will show you all available plans in your area and what each one covers for hearing services. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE to speak with a counselor who can walk you through your options.
If you may have access to for a Special Enrollment Period — for example, because you moved, lost employer coverage, or experienced another may have access to life event — you can change plans outside the Annual Enrollment Period. Contact Aetna or Medicare to find out whether you may have access to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Original Medicare cover hearing aids?
No. Original Medicare does not cover hearing aids, hearing exams, or hearing aid fittings. This is true regardless of whether you have an Aetna Medigap plan or any other supplemental insurance. If you want hearing coverage, you must be enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan that includes it.
Can I use any hearing aid provider with my Aetna plan?
No. You must use a provider that Aetna has contracted with to receive your plan's hearing benefit. If you go to an out-of-network provider, you will pay the full cost with no discount or coverage. Use Aetna's provider search tool on their website to find in-network audiologists and hearing aid dispensers in your area.
What if I need hearing aids but my Aetna plan does not cover them?
You can switch to a different Aetna Medicare Advantage plan that includes hearing benefits during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7). You can also explore plans from other insurance companies. Use Medicare.gov's Plan Finder tool to compare hearing coverage options available in your zip code.
How much will I pay for hearing aids through Aetna?
The amount varies by plan. Some plans charge a copay per device (for example, $500), others cover a percentage of the cost after your deductible, and others offer a discount off the retail price. Check your plan documents or call Aetna customer service to find out your specific out-of-pocket cost.
Are hearing aid batteries and repairs covered?
Most Aetna plans cover batteries and repairs through the same provider for a set period after you purchase the hearing aid — usually one to three years. Coverage varies by plan. Ask your hearing aid provider what is included in your specific plan's coverage before you leave the office.