Medicare does not pay for hearing aids, but it does cover the exam that diagnoses hearing loss
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) will not cover the cost of hearing aids themselves or the fitting that comes after. However, Medicare Part B does cover a diagnostic hearing exam if your doctor orders it because you have symptoms of hearing loss — you pay 20 percent of the cost after you meet your Part B deductible, and Medicare pays 80 percent.
The distinction matters because many people confuse the two. You can get the medical evaluation covered, but the device and the work to program it for your ears are your responsibility. Some Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) do cover hearing aids, though the amount varies widely by plan and by state.
Key Takeaways
- Original Medicare does not cover hearing aids or hearing aid fittings, but it does cover the diagnostic exam your doctor orders if you report hearing loss symptoms.
- Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans sometimes include hearing aid coverage, but the benefit amount and which brands are covered depend on your specific plan.
- If you have both Original Medicare and a Medigap supplemental plan, the Medigap policy will not cover hearing aids either, though it may help with the diagnostic exam cost.
- Hearing aid costs range widely depending on the type and features, and you can shop across brands and providers even if you have Medicare coverage through a plan.
How the diagnostic exam works under Medicare Part B
When you see your primary care doctor or an ear, nose, and throat specialist (ENT) and report that you are having trouble hearing, your doctor can order a diagnostic audiological exam. This is different from a routine hearing test at a hearing aid store — it is a medical test ordered by a physician to figure out whether you have hearing loss and what kind.
Medicare Part B covers this exam at 80 percent after your deductible is met. You will owe 20 percent coinsurance. The exam itself does not result in a hearing aid; it results in a diagnosis and a recommendation. If the doctor then refers you to an audiologist or hearing aid dispenser to get a device, that next step is not covered by Medicare.
What Medicare Advantage plans may cover
Some Medicare Advantage plans include a hearing aid benefit as part of their coverage. This is not required — plans choose whether to offer it. If your plan does cover hearing aids, the benefit usually includes a dollar amount per ear per year (for example, $500 to $2,000 per ear), and you may have a choice of hearing aid brands within the plan's network.
To find out whether your specific plan covers hearing aids, call the plan's customer service number on the back of your card and ask what the annual benefit is, which brands are covered, and whether you need a referral from your primary care doctor. Plans change their benefits each year, so check during the annual enrollment period (October 15 to December 7) if you are considering switching plans partly for hearing aid coverage.
If you are in a Medicare Advantage plan that does cover hearing aids, you will usually need to see an audiologist or hearing aid dispenser in the plan's network. Out-of-network providers may not be covered, or you may owe more out of pocket.
Medigap supplemental plans do not cover hearing aids
If you have Original Medicare and a Medigap (supplemental insurance) policy, the Medigap plan will not cover hearing aids. Medigap policies are designed to cover the gaps in Original Medicare — things like coinsurance and deductibles — but they do not add new benefits that Medicare itself does not cover.
Your Medigap plan will help pay your share of the diagnostic hearing exam (the 20 percent coinsurance), but it will not pay for the hearing aid or the fitting.
Other ways to pay for hearing aids
Because Medicare does not cover hearing aids for most people, you have several other options. Some hearing aid manufacturers offer payment plans or discounts for seniors. Costco, Sam's Club, and other warehouse retailers sell hearing aids at lower prices than traditional hearing aid dispensers, and you do not need a membership to use their hearing aid services in most states.
Some state health departments and nonprofit organizations offer hearing aid programs for low-income seniors. Your Area Agency on Aging can tell you whether your state has a program. The Hearing Loss Association of America maintains a directory of local chapters that sometimes know about local resources.
If you are a veteran, the Department of Veterans Affairs covers hearing aids for may be able to access veterans. If you receive Medicaid in addition to Medicare, Medicaid may cover hearing aids — coverage varies by state.
What to do if you think you have hearing loss
Start by scheduling an appointment with your primary care doctor and describing the hearing loss you have noticed. Tell your doctor specifically what situations are hard for you — conversations in noisy places, phone calls, the television volume. Your doctor can then decide whether to order a diagnostic audiological exam, which Medicare will cover.
Do not go directly to a hearing aid store for a "free hearing test" if you want Medicare to cover the evaluation. Those tests are not diagnostic exams ordered by a physician, and Medicare will not pay for them. The distinction is important because it affects what Medicare considers a covered service.
Once you have the diagnostic exam results and a recommendation, you can then explore hearing aid options, including whether your Medicare Advantage plan covers them, what out-of-pocket costs would be, and whether other programs in your area might help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Medicare Part D cover hearing aids?
No. Part D covers prescription drugs only, not medical devices like hearing aids. Only some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans include hearing aid coverage as an added benefit.
If I have a Medicare Advantage plan that covers hearing aids, do I have to use it?
No. You can choose to buy a hearing aid outside the plan's network, but you will pay the full cost yourself. Using an in-network provider means the plan's benefit applies to what you owe.
Can I get the diagnostic exam covered if I go to a hearing aid store instead of my doctor?
No. Medicare only covers a diagnostic exam that your doctor orders. A hearing test at a hearing aid store is not a physician-ordered diagnostic exam, so Medicare will not pay for it. You would pay out of pocket.
What if my hearing loss is caused by an accident or injury?
Medicare's rules do not change based on the cause of hearing loss. Original Medicare still does not cover hearing aids. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan with hearing aid coverage, the coverage applies regardless of what caused the loss.
Are there any states where Medicare covers hearing aids?
No. Medicare rules are the same across all states. However, some states have their own programs for low-income seniors, and some states' Medicaid programs cover hearing aids. Contact your state health department or Area Agency on Aging to ask about state-level programs.