AARP Medicare Plans Do Not Cover Hearing Aids, But Supplemental Coverage May Help

Original Medicare — the federal program that AARP members use — does not pay for hearing aids or routine hearing exams. This is true whether you have Original Medicare alone or an AARP Medigap supplemental plan. However, some AARP Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) do offer hearing aid coverage as an added benefit, though the amount and type of coverage varies by plan and by year.

If you need hearing aids, your first step is to check your specific plan's coverage details, because what one AARP plan covers may differ from another. The plan documents you receive each year spell out exactly what hearing services are included, if any. If your current plan does not cover hearing aids, you have other options: paying out of pocket, looking into standalone hearing aid discount programs, or switching to a different Medicare plan during open enrollment.

Key Takeaways

  • Original Medicare and AARP Medigap plans do not cover hearing aids or hearing exams at any level.
  • Some AARP Medicare Advantage plans include hearing aid coverage, but the benefit amount and which devices are covered depend on the specific plan.
  • You can see what your plan covers by reviewing your plan documents or calling the customer service number on your insurance card.
  • If your plan does not cover hearing aids, you can switch to a different plan during the annual open enrollment period (October 15 to December 7) or explore discount hearing aid programs.

How Original Medicare and AARP Medigap Plans Handle Hearing

Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover hearing aids, hearing exams for the purpose of fitting hearing aids, or routine hearing tests. This exclusion has been in place for decades and applies to all beneficiaries, regardless of whether they have supplemental coverage.

AARP Medigap plans (also called Supplemental Insurance) are designed to fill gaps in Original Medicare — they pay copays, coinsurance, and deductibles that Medicare itself does not cover. However, Medigap plans cannot add benefits that Original Medicare does not already cover. Since Medicare does not cover hearing aids, Medigap plans cannot cover them either. This applies to all 10 standardized Medigap plans (A through N).

If you have Original Medicare with or without a Medigap plan, hearing aid costs are entirely your responsibility. Some people budget for this by setting aside money each year or exploring payment plans offered by hearing aid retailers.

AARP Medicare Advantage Plans and Hearing Aid Coverage

AARP Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) are an alternative to Original Medicare. These plans are run by insurance companies and must cover everything Original Medicare covers, but they can also add extra benefits. Some AARP Medicare Advantage plans include hearing aid coverage as one of those extras.

The hearing benefit in AARP Medicare Advantage plans typically works like this: the plan covers a portion of the cost of hearing aids, often up to a set dollar amount per year or per ear. Some plans cover hearing exams as well. However, the exact coverage — how much money the plan will pay, which types of hearing aids are covered, and whether you need to use a network provider — differs from plan to plan.

Not every AARP Medicare Advantage plan includes hearing coverage, and plans change their benefits each year. A plan that covered hearing aids in 2024 may not in 2025, or the benefit amount may change. You must check your specific plan's details to know what you have.

How to Find Out What Your Plan Covers

The most reliable way to learn what hearing coverage your plan includes is to read your plan's official documents. When you first join a plan, you receive a Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) document. This document lists all covered services, including any hearing benefits. You can also find this document on the AARP website under your plan details.

If you have trouble locating your documents or understanding the hearing benefit, call the customer service number on the back of your insurance card. Have your member ID ready. Ask specifically: "Does my plan cover hearing aids? If so, how much does it pay per ear or per year, and do I need to use a specific provider?" Write down the answer and ask for a confirmation number or reference so you have a record of what you were told.

You can also visit Medicare.gov and use the Plan Finder tool. Enter your information, select your current plan, and review the benefits listed. Look for "Hearing" or "Hearing Aids" in the benefits section.

What to Do If Your Plan Does Not Cover Hearing Aids

If your current plan does not cover hearing aids and you need them, you have several paths forward. The first is to pay out of pocket. Hearing aids range widely in price — from a few hundred dollars to several thousand per pair — depending on the technology and features. Some retailers offer payment plans that let you spread the cost over months.

The second option is to explore discount hearing aid programs. These are not insurance; they are membership programs that negotiate lower prices with hearing aid retailers and audiologists. Programs like the AARP Hearing Care Program (offered through UnitedHealthcare) provide discounts on hearing aids and services for members who pay a membership fee. Other discount programs exist as well, and some are free to join.

The third option is to switch to a different Medicare plan during the annual open enrollment period. If you have Original Medicare with a Medigap plan, you can switch to an AARP Medicare Advantage plan that does include hearing coverage. If you already have an AARP Medicare Advantage plan without hearing coverage, you may be able to switch to a different AARP Medicare Advantage plan that does. Open enrollment runs from October 15 to December 7 each year, and any changes take effect January 1.

When You Can Change Your Plan

You can switch Medicare plans only during specific windows. The main window is the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), which runs October 15 to December 7. Any plan changes you make during this time take effect on January 1 of the following year.

If you have a may have access to life event — such as moving out of your plan's service area, losing other health coverage, or becoming newly may be able to access for Medicaid — you may be able to change plans outside the annual window. These are called Special Enrollment Periods, and they typically last 60 days from the date of the event.

If you are new to Medicare (within your first three months of may be able to access), you also have a special enrollment window to choose a plan. Check Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE to confirm whether you may have access to for a Special Enrollment Period.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor or Audiologist

Before you shop for hearing aids, it helps to understand what your doctor or audiologist recommends. Ask them: "What type and level of hearing aid do I need?" and "Are there specific features that would help my hearing loss?" This information helps you understand what you are paying for and whether a less expensive option might work for you.

You can also ask: "Do you work with any discount hearing aid programs?" Some audiologists partner with discount programs and can help you use them. If your plan does cover hearing aids, ask whether the audiologist is in your plan's network, because using an out-of-network provider may cost you more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my AARP Medigap plan to pay for hearing aids if I pay out of pocket first?

No. Medigap plans do not cover hearing aids under any circumstances, even if you pay for them yourself and then try to get reimbursed. Medigap can only reimburse for services that Original Medicare covers. Since Medicare does not cover hearing aids, Medigap will not either.

If I switch to an AARP Medicare Advantage plan with hearing coverage, when does the benefit start?

If you switch during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7), your new plan and its benefits take effect on January 1. If you switch during a Special Enrollment Period, the effective date depends on when you make the change — ask your plan for the exact date. You cannot use a hearing benefit before your plan is active.

Does AARP itself sell hearing aids or hearing aid insurance?

AARP does not sell hearing aids directly. AARP offers a Hearing Care Program (through UnitedHealthcare) that provides discounts on hearing aids and hearing services for members who pay a membership fee. This is separate from Medicare coverage. You can learn about it on the AARP website or by calling AARP directly.

What if I need hearing aids right now but open enrollment is not until October?

You do not have to wait. You can pay out of pocket now and explore discount programs when ready. If you later switch to a plan with hearing coverage during open enrollment, that plan will cover hearing aids going forward — but it typically will not reimburse you for aids you bought before the plan was active. Ask your new plan's customer service to confirm their policy.

Are there any Medicare programs that help pay for hearing aids?

Original Medicare does not have a program to help pay for hearing aids. Some state Medicaid programs do cover hearing aids if you are also may be able to access for Medicaid, but this varies by state. Contact your state Medicaid office to learn whether you may have access to. Some nonprofit organizations and community health centers also offer reduced-cost or free hearing services; your doctor can refer you or you can search online for "free hearing aid programs near me."