Medicare Part B does not cover hearing aids, but Part B does cover the hearing test that determines you need them

Original Medicare — Part A and Part B — will not pay for hearing aids themselves or for the fitting and adjustment that comes after you buy them. Part B covers the diagnostic hearing test (called an audiological exam) if your doctor refers you, but once the audiologist tells you that you need a hearing aid, Medicare stops paying.

This is a hard line. It has not changed in 2024, and there is no exception for low-income beneficiaries under Original Medicare. If you have Original Medicare and want a hearing aid, you pay the full cost out of pocket — typically $1,000 to $6,000 per ear, depending on the device and the provider.

Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) sometimes cover hearing aids, but the amount and the rules vary by plan and by year. If you have an Advantage plan, you need to check your plan documents or call the plan directly to learn what it covers.

Key Takeaways

  • Original Medicare does not cover hearing aids or the cost of fitting them, even if a doctor prescribes them.
  • Part B covers the diagnostic hearing test if your doctor refers you, but coverage stops once a hearing aid is recommended.
  • Medicare Advantage plans may cover some or all of the cost of hearing aids, but coverage differs by plan and changes year to year.
  • If you have Original Medicare and cannot afford a hearing aid, you may find lower-cost options through community health centers, state programs, or hearing aid manufacturers' information programs.

What the diagnostic hearing test covers under Part B

If your primary care doctor or an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist thinks you may have hearing loss, they can refer you for a hearing test. Part B covers this test — called an audiological exam or audiometry — at 80 percent after you meet your Part B deductible. You pay the remaining 20 percent.

The test itself is not a hearing aid fitting. An audiologist will measure how well you hear at different volumes and frequencies, and will produce a chart (called an audiogram) showing where your hearing is normal and where it has declined. The audiologist may recommend a hearing aid based on the results, but the recommendation is not a prescription that Medicare will fund.

If you do not have a referral from a doctor, Medicare will not cover the test. You can still get a hearing test from an audiologist or a hearing aid retailer, but you will pay the full cost — usually $50 to $200.

Medicare Advantage plans and hearing aid coverage

Some Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) include hearing aid coverage as an added benefit. The amount varies widely: some plans cover $0, some cover up to $500 per ear per year, and a few cover up to $2,000 per ear per year. A small number of plans cover the full cost of one or two hearing aids annually.

Advantage plans can change their benefits each year during the annual enrollment period (October 15 to December 7). A plan that covered hearing aids in 2023 may not in 2024, or the coverage amount may drop. You need to check your current plan's Summary of Benefits or call the plan's customer service line to learn what it covers for 2024.

If you are shopping for a new Advantage plan and hearing aids matter to you, compare the hearing aid benefits alongside other coverage. Some plans with strong hearing aid coverage may have higher premiums or smaller provider networks in other areas.

What you pay out of pocket for a hearing aid

Without insurance coverage, hearing aid costs depend on the type of device and where you buy it. Basic behind-the-ear or in-the-ear models typically cost $1,000 to $3,000 per ear. More advanced models with Bluetooth, directional microphones, or noise reduction can cost $4,000 to $6,000 per ear or more.

The price usually includes the device itself, the initial fitting, and a limited period of follow-up adjustments (often one to three years). Some retailers bundle in batteries or cleaning supplies. Ask what is included before you buy, because prices can look similar but the package behind them may differ.

Buying two hearing aids (one for each ear) is more effective than one, but it also doubles the cost. If budget is tight, some people start with one device, though an audiologist will usually recommend both.

Lower-cost options if you cannot afford the full price

If you have Original Medicare and cannot pay the full cost of a hearing aid, several routes may lower what you spend. Community health centers (Federally may have access to Health Centers, or FQHCs) sometimes offer hearing tests and fitting services on a sliding fee scale based on income. Find one near you through the Health Resources and Services Administration website.

Some states run hearing aid information programs that provide devices at reduced cost or free to low-income seniors. These programs vary by state and have different income limits. Contact your state's health department or your Area Agency on Aging to ask whether your state has one.

Hearing aid manufacturers sometimes offer patient information programs that reduce the cost of devices for people who meet income requirements. Phonak, Widex, Oticon, Signia, and Starkey all have such programs. You typically explore through the manufacturer's website or through an audiologist who works with the program.

Some hearing aid retailers offer payment plans that let you spread the cost over 12 to 36 months, usually without interest if you pay on time. This does not lower the total cost, but it can make the monthly payment manageable.

What happens if you buy a hearing aid without a hearing test

You can legally buy a hearing aid without a hearing test, and some people do to save money. Over-the-counter hearing aids (OTC devices) became available in 2022 and cost $200 to $1,000 per pair. They do not require a prescription or a professional fitting.

OTC devices work for mild to moderate hearing loss, but they are not customized to your specific hearing pattern the way a prescription device is. If your hearing loss is severe, uneven between ears, or mixed with other ear problems, an OTC device may not help much. A hearing test tells you which type of device will actually work for you.

If you are considering an OTC device, a hearing test from a community health center or a low-cost provider can still be worth the $50 to $200 cost, because it tells you whether an OTC device will work or whether you need a prescription device fitted by an audiologist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Medicaid cover hearing aids?

Medicaid does cover hearing aids in most states, but the rules vary. Some states cover the full cost; others cover part of it or limit how often you can get a new device. Contact your state Medicaid office or your caseworker to learn what your state covers.

If I have both Medicare and Medicaid, which one pays for a hearing aid?

Medicaid is the primary payer for dual-may be able to access beneficiaries in most cases. If Medicaid in your state covers hearing aids, Medicaid will pay first. Check with your state Medicaid program to confirm coverage and the process for getting a device.

Can I use a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to pay for a hearing aid?

Yes. If you have an HSA or FSA through a current or former employer, you can use those funds to pay for a hearing aid and related services. Keep your receipts, because you may need them to prove the expense was medical.

Will Medicare cover a hearing aid if my doctor says I need one?

No. A doctor's prescription or recommendation does not change Medicare's policy. Original Medicare does not cover hearing aids under any circumstance. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, check your plan documents to see whether it covers them.

What if I already bought a hearing aid and then found out Medicare would not cover it?

Medicare will not reimburse you retroactively. If you bought a device thinking Medicare would pay and it did not, you cannot get that money back from Medicare. This is why it is important to check your coverage before you buy.