Medicare covers hearing tests in some situations, but not routine hearing exams or most hearing aids
Medicare Part B covers a hearing test only when your doctor orders it as part of diagnosing or treating a medical condition — not as a routine screening. If you have diabetes, heart disease, or another condition that affects hearing, your doctor can refer you to an audiologist and Medicare will cover the test. However, if you straightforward want to check your hearing because you think it's getting worse, Medicare does not pay for that visit.
Hearing aids themselves are not covered by Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) at any age. Some Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) do offer hearing aid coverage, but the amount varies widely — some cover a portion of the cost, others cover nothing. You will need to check your specific plan's details to know what it includes.
Key Takeaways
- Medicare Part B covers a hearing test only when ordered by your doctor as part of treating a medical condition, not for routine screening.
- Original Medicare does not pay for hearing aids under any circumstances.
- Some Medicare Advantage plans include hearing aid coverage, but benefits differ by plan and by year.
- If you need a hearing test, ask your doctor whether the test is medically necessary so Medicare will cover it.
- Veterans, Medicaid recipients, and people with low incomes may have separate programs that cover hearing aids.
When Medicare Part B pays for a hearing test
Your doctor must order the hearing test as part of evaluating or treating a specific medical problem. Common reasons include checking for hearing loss caused by diabetes, monitoring hearing after chemotherapy, or assessing balance problems related to an inner ear condition. The audiologist or other may have access to provider must accept Medicare, and you pay your normal Part B coinsurance (usually 20 percent of the approved amount after you meet your deductible).
The test itself is covered, but the visit is not automatically covered just because you ask for it. Your primary care doctor or a specialist needs to document that the hearing test is medically necessary. If you call an audiologist's office directly and schedule a routine hearing check without a doctor's order, Medicare will not pay for it, and you will receive the full bill.
What Original Medicare does not cover
Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) does not cover hearing aids, fitting appointments, adjustments, repairs, or replacement batteries — not at age 65, not at age 85, not under any circumstance. This has been true for decades and remains true today. If you need a hearing aid, you pay out of pocket or look for coverage through another source.
Medicare also does not cover routine hearing exams — the kind you might get at a hearing aid store or an audiologist's office when you notice you are having trouble hearing. These are considered screening tests rather than diagnostic tests, and screening is not covered.
Medicare Advantage plans and hearing aid coverage
Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are run by private insurance companies and can offer benefits that Original Medicare does not. Some plans include hearing aid coverage as an added benefit. The coverage varies dramatically: one plan might cover $500 toward hearing aids per year, another might cover $1,500 every two years, and a third might cover nothing at all.
If you are thinking about switching to a Medicare Advantage plan or choosing one for the first time, check the plan's Summary of Benefits document or call the plan directly and ask specifically about hearing aid coverage. Ask what the plan pays toward the cost, whether there is a limit per ear or per year, and whether you can see any audiologist or only those in the plan's network. Coverage can change from year to year, so even if your current plan covers hearing aids, next year's version of that plan might not.
Other programs that may cover hearing aids
If you are a veteran, the Department of Veterans Affairs covers hearing aids and hearing tests through the VA health system. You do not need to be on Medicare to use VA benefits, and many veterans are may be able to access even if their service was decades ago. Contact your local VA medical center or call 1-800-827-1000 to learn whether you may have access to.
If you receive Medicaid in addition to Medicare (sometimes called "dual may be able to access"), your state's Medicaid program may cover hearing aids. Medicaid rules differ by state, so contact your state Medicaid office or your local Area Agency on Aging to find out what your state covers. Some states cover hearing aids for all ages; others cover them only for children or only for people under a certain income level.
If your income is low but you do not may have access to for Medicaid, some nonprofit organizations and community health centers offer reduced-cost or free hearing tests and hearing aids. The Hearing Loss Association of America maintains a directory of local chapters that can point you toward programs in your area. Some states also run hearing aid information programs through their health departments.
How to find an audiologist Medicare will pay for
If your doctor has ordered a hearing test, ask for a referral to an audiologist or other provider who accepts Medicare. You can also search the Medicare provider directory at Medicare.gov by typing "audiologist" and your zip code. The directory will show you which providers in your area accept Medicare assignment, meaning they accept Medicare's approved amount as full payment (except for your coinsurance).
When you call to schedule, tell the office that you have a doctor's order for a medically necessary hearing test and that you have Medicare. Ask whether they accept Medicare and whether they accept assignment. If they do not accept Medicare, you will pay the full cost out of pocket and will not be reimbursed by Medicare.
Paying for hearing aids if Medicare does not cover them
Hearing aids range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars per ear, depending on the technology and features. If you need hearing aids and Medicare does not cover them, you have several options. You can pay out of pocket, look for a Medicare Advantage plan that includes hearing aid coverage (if you are willing to switch plans), or explore the nonprofit and state programs mentioned above.
Some audiologists and hearing aid retailers offer payment plans or discounts for cash customers. It is worth asking whether they have options for people without insurance coverage. You can also shop around — prices and coverage vary significantly between providers, and getting quotes from two or three places can help you understand what is available in your area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Medicare cover hearing aids at all?
Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) does not cover hearing aids under any circumstances. Some Medicare Advantage plans include hearing aid coverage, but you need to check your specific plan's details. If you are a veteran or receive Medicaid, you may have coverage through those programs instead.
Will Medicare pay for a hearing test if I just want to check my hearing?
No. Medicare covers a hearing test only when your doctor orders it as part of diagnosing or treating a medical condition. Routine screening tests are not covered. If you think you have hearing loss, talk to your primary care doctor first — if they believe a hearing test is medically necessary, they can order one that Medicare will pay for.
Can I see any audiologist, or does it have to be someone specific?
If your doctor orders a medically necessary hearing test, you can see any audiologist or may have access to provider who accepts Medicare. Search the Medicare provider directory at Medicare.gov to find providers near you. If you go to someone who does not accept Medicare, you will pay the full cost.
What if my Medicare Advantage plan does not cover hearing aids?
You can pay out of pocket, look into switching to a different Medicare Advantage plan during open enrollment that does cover hearing aids, or explore other programs. Veterans can use VA benefits, people receiving Medicaid may have coverage through that program, and nonprofits like the Hearing Loss Association of America can connect you with local information programs.
How much do hearing aids cost if I have to pay myself?
Hearing aids typically cost between a few hundred and several thousand dollars per ear, depending on the technology and features. Prices vary by provider, so it is worth getting quotes from multiple audiologists or hearing aid retailers. Some offer payment plans or discounts for people paying out of pocket.