Medicare's current coverage for hearing aids is limited, but this is changing
As of January 2023, Original Medicare (Parts A and B) began covering hearing aids for the first time in its history. Medicare now covers one pair of hearing aids per ear per year, up to a maximum of $200 per hearing aid. This means you can receive up to $400 per year in coverage if you need aids for both ears. The coverage applies to hearing aids purchased from Medicare-approved suppliers, and you will need a hearing test from an audiologist or otolaryngologist within the past six months to show that you have hearing loss.
This change represents a significant shift after decades during which Medicare did not cover hearing aids at all. However, the coverage has limits: it does not include routine hearing tests, adjustments, repairs, or replacement batteries. If you have a Medigap or Medicare Advantage plan, your coverage may differ, so you will want to check your specific plan documents.
Key Takeaways
- Original Medicare covers up to $200 per hearing aid, once per ear per year, starting in 2023.
- You need a hearing test from an audiologist or otolaryngologist dated within the past six months to show hearing loss.
- Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans may offer different coverage levels, so review your plan's hearing aid benefits before purchasing.
- The coverage does not include routine tests, adjustments, repairs, or batteries — only the hearing aids themselves.
- You must purchase from a Medicare-approved supplier to receive the benefit.
How to find out what your specific plan covers
Your coverage depends on which type of Medicare plan you have. If you have Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), you are covered under the new hearing aid benefit described above. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C), your coverage may be more generous or more limited — some plans cover hearing aids with no dollar limit, while others cover nothing. If you have a Medigap (supplemental insurance) plan, it typically does not cover hearing aids, though a few plans may offer limited coverage.
The fastest way to find out what your plan covers is to call the customer service number on the back of your Medicare card. Have your plan name and member ID ready. Ask specifically whether hearing aids are covered, what the dollar limit is per ear per year, whether you need a referral, and which suppliers are in-network. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, also ask whether you need prior authorization before purchasing.
You can also review your plan's Summary of Benefits and Coverage document, which is available on Medicare.gov or through your plan's website. This document lists all covered services and any out-of-pocket costs you may owe.
What you need before you can use the Medicare benefit
To use Original Medicare's hearing aid coverage, you must have a hearing test (audiogram) from a licensed audiologist or an ear, nose, and throat doctor (otolaryngologist). The test must be dated within the past six months and must show that you have hearing loss. Your doctor or audiologist will provide you with the test results, which you will need to show to the hearing aid supplier when you purchase.
You will also need to purchase from a supplier that is enrolled in Medicare. Not all hearing aid retailers are Medicare-approved suppliers. When you contact a hearing aid provider, ask whether they are a Medicare-approved supplier and whether they accept Medicare assignment (meaning they will bill Medicare directly and accept Medicare's payment as full payment for the hearing aid itself).
If you do not have a recent hearing test, you will need to schedule one before you can purchase hearing aids through Medicare. Some audiologists and otolaryngologists offer these tests, and so do some hearing aid retailers. The cost of the hearing test itself is not covered by Medicare, though some providers may offer it at a reduced rate or for free if you purchase hearing aids from them.
The difference between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans
Original Medicare's hearing aid benefit is the same for everyone: up to $200 per hearing aid, once per ear per year. Medicare Advantage plans, however, set their own benefits. Some Medicare Advantage plans offer more generous hearing aid coverage — for example, covering up to $500 or $1,000 per hearing aid, or covering multiple pairs per year. Other Medicare Advantage plans offer no hearing aid coverage at all. A few plans cover routine hearing tests and adjustments as well.
If you are considering switching to a Medicare Advantage plan or are shopping for one during open enrollment, hearing aid coverage is worth comparing. Plans that offer better hearing aid benefits may have higher premiums or higher out-of-pocket costs for other services, so you will want to weigh the trade-offs. You can compare Medicare Advantage plans on Medicare.gov using the Plan Finder tool, which shows each plan's hearing aid coverage.
If you already have a Medicare Advantage plan and are unhappy with its hearing aid coverage, you can switch to Original Medicare during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7 each year) or during a Special Enrollment Period if you may have access to. However, if you switch away from a Medicare Advantage plan, you cannot switch back to the same plan later, so this decision should be made carefully.
What the $200 per hearing aid limit actually means
Medicare's $200 per hearing aid limit is a fixed dollar amount, not a percentage of the cost. This means that if a hearing aid costs $1,500, Medicare will pay $200 and you will owe $1,300 out of pocket. If a hearing aid costs $150, Medicare will pay $150 and you will owe nothing. The $200 limit applies once per ear per calendar year, so if you need aids for both ears, you can receive up to $400 in total coverage per year.
Many hearing aids cost significantly more than $200, so Medicare's benefit covers only a portion of the total cost for most people. However, some hearing aids do fall within or near the $200 price point, particularly basic or entry-level models. When you shop for hearing aids, ask the supplier what models are available at or near the Medicare benefit amount, and ask whether the supplier offers any discounts or payment plans for the out-of-pocket portion.
The $200 limit resets on January 1 each year. If you purchase a hearing aid in November and use your full $200 benefit, you will have another $200 available on January 1 of the following year.
How to find a Medicare-approved hearing aid supplier
To find suppliers in your area that are enrolled in Medicare, you can search the Medicare Provider Enrollment, Chain, and Ownership System (PECOS) on the CMS website, or you can call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) and ask for a list of approved suppliers near you. When you contact a supplier, confirm that they are currently enrolled in Medicare and that they accept Medicare assignment for hearing aids.
You can also ask your primary care doctor or audiologist for a referral to a Medicare-approved supplier. Many audiologists and hearing aid retailers are enrolled in Medicare, but not all, so it is worth asking before you schedule an appointment.
Once you have found a supplier, bring your hearing test results and your Medicare card. The supplier will verify your coverage, explain what Medicare will pay and what you will owe, and help you select a hearing aid. Some suppliers may require you to pay the out-of-pocket portion upfront, while others may offer payment plans.
What happens if you have both Original Medicare and a Medigap plan
If you have Original Medicare and a Medigap (supplemental insurance) plan, your Medigap plan does not typically cover hearing aids. Medigap plans are designed to cover the gaps in Original Medicare — such as copayments and coinsurance — but they do not add new benefits that Medicare does not already cover. Since Medicare now covers hearing aids, Medigap plans may eventually add hearing aid coverage, but as of now, most do not.
This means that if you have Original Medicare and a Medigap plan, you will use your Original Medicare hearing aid benefit ($200 per hearing aid per year) and your Medigap plan will not contribute. You will be responsible for any costs above the $200 Medicare benefit.
If you are shopping for a Medigap plan and hearing aid coverage is important to you, you can call Medigap insurers directly and ask whether they cover hearing aids. Some may offer this as an optional rider or add-on benefit, though this is uncommon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a referral from my doctor to get hearing aids through Medicare?
No, you do not need a referral from your primary care doctor. However, you do need a hearing test from an audiologist or otolaryngologist showing that you have hearing loss. You can schedule this test directly with an audiologist or hearing aid supplier without a referral.
Will Medicare cover the cost of my hearing test?
No, Medicare does not cover routine hearing tests. However, if your doctor orders a hearing test as part of diagnosing or treating a medical condition (not just to determine whether you need hearing aids), Medicare may cover it. Ask your doctor whether the test is medically necessary or routine.
What if I need new hearing aids before a year has passed?
Medicare's benefit is once per ear per calendar year. If you need replacement hearing aids before the year is up — for example, because your current aids are damaged or lost — you will likely have to pay out of pocket. Some suppliers offer damage or loss protection plans for an additional fee, so ask about this option when you purchase.
Can I use my Medicare hearing aid benefit at any hearing aid store?
No, you must use a Medicare-approved supplier. Not all hearing aid retailers are enrolled in Medicare. Before you visit a store or order online, confirm that the supplier is Medicare-approved and that they accept Medicare assignment.
If I have a Medicare Advantage plan, do I still get the Original Medicare hearing aid benefit?
No. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, you use that plan's hearing aid benefits instead of Original Medicare's benefit. Medicare Advantage plans vary widely in what they cover, so review your plan documents or call customer service to find out what your plan offers.