Medicare Part B does not cover hearing aids, but it does cover the exam to test your hearing
Original Medicare — the federal program run by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services — does not pay for hearing aids themselves or the fitting that goes with them. This is true whether you have Part A alone, Part B alone, or both together. However, Medicare Part B does cover a diagnostic hearing exam if your doctor orders it to figure out whether you have a medical problem. The exam is covered at 80 percent after you meet your Part B deductible.
The distinction matters because a diagnostic exam is different from a hearing aid fitting. A diagnostic exam tests your hearing to find out what is wrong. A fitting is the process of selecting, adjusting, and programming a hearing aid to match your specific loss — and that service is not covered. If you need a hearing aid, you pay for the device and the fitting out of your own pocket, though some states and programs offer other help.
Key Takeaways
- Medicare Part B covers a diagnostic hearing exam ordered by your doctor, but not the hearing aids themselves or the cost of fitting them.
- Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) sometimes cover hearing aids, but the amount and rules vary widely by plan and by year — you must check your plan's coverage document.
- Medicaid covers hearing aids in some states but not others, and the rules about which devices and how often you can get them differ by state.
- The Veterans Health Administration covers hearing aids for may be able to access veterans at no cost, and the Department of Veterans Affairs also offers hearing aid benefits.
- Some hearing aid manufacturers and nonprofits offer discounts or payment plans for people without insurance coverage.
How to get the diagnostic exam Medicare does cover
To have Medicare pay for a hearing exam, you need a referral from your primary care doctor or another physician. You cannot walk into an audiologist's office and have Medicare cover it on your own — the doctor has to order it as a diagnostic test. Once your doctor refers you, you can see either an audiologist or an ear, nose, and throat doctor (ENT). Both are covered under Part B.
You will owe 20 percent of the cost after you have paid your Part B deductible for the year. If you have a Medigap or Medicaid supplement plan, that plan may cover some or all of the remaining 20 percent. Call your supplement plan before the exam to find out what you will owe.
Medicare Advantage plans and hearing aid coverage
Medicare Advantage plans (also called Part C) are run by private insurance companies under contract with Medicare. Unlike Original Medicare, some Advantage plans do cover hearing aids, but coverage is not standard — it depends entirely on which plan you choose and which year. One plan might cover up to $1,500 toward hearing aids every two years; another might cover nothing. Some plans cover the exam and fitting but not the device itself.
The only way to know what your Advantage plan covers is to read the plan's coverage document, called the Evidence of Coverage, or call the plan directly. If you are thinking about switching plans during open enrollment, hearing aid coverage is worth comparing. Plans change their benefits each year, so even if your current plan covers hearing aids, next year's version might not.
Medicaid coverage varies by state
Medicaid is run by each state, not by the federal government, so hearing aid coverage depends on where you live. Some states cover hearing aids for adults; others cover them only for children. Some states limit how often you can get a new hearing aid — for example, once every five years. A few states do not cover hearing aids at all.
To find out whether your state's Medicaid program covers hearing aids, contact your state Medicaid office directly. You can find your state office through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services website, or call 1-800-MEDICARE and ask for a referral. If your state does cover hearing aids, ask about the dollar limit, how often you can get them, and whether you need a referral from your doctor.
Veterans and hearing aid benefits
If you are a veteran, you may be covered through the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) or through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Beneficiary Travel program. The VHA covers hearing aids and fitting at no cost for may be able to access veterans, and the VA also offers hearing aid benefits to certain groups of veterans. may be able to access depends on your service history, disability rating, and other factors.
To find out whether you may have access to, contact your local VA medical center or call the VA at 1-800-827-1000. You can also explore online through VA.gov. If you are may be able to access, the VHA can fit you with hearing aids and provide ongoing adjustments and repairs at no charge.
Manufacturer discounts and nonprofit programs
Hearing aid manufacturers sometimes offer discounts to people without insurance coverage, and some nonprofits help pay for hearing aids. The Hearing Loss Association of America maintains a list of programs that offer financial help, and some local senior centers or Area Agencies on Aging know about discounts in your region.
Some hearing aid companies also offer payment plans that let you spread the cost over several months. If you are uninsured or underinsured, it is worth asking your audiologist whether the manufacturer of the hearing aid you want offers a discount program or whether they work with any nonprofits that help with cost.
What happens if you have both Medicare and Medicaid
If you have both Medicare and Medicaid — a situation called "dual may be able to access" — Medicaid is usually the primary payer for services Medicare does not cover. This means that if your state's Medicaid program covers hearing aids, Medicaid would pay for them, not Medicare. However, the rules about which service pays first can be complicated, and it depends on your specific situation.
Call your state Medicaid office and tell them you have both Medicare and Medicaid. Ask them directly whether Medicaid will cover hearing aids in your state and what you need to do to request them. Having both programs can actually expand your options, but you have to know what each one covers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Medicare cover hearing aid batteries?
No. Medicare does not cover hearing aid batteries, replacement parts, repairs, or maintenance. You pay for all of those out of your own pocket. Some hearing aid manufacturers include a supply of batteries with the device, and you can buy batteries in bulk online or at pharmacies, often for less than what a hearing aid office charges.
Can I use a hearing aid from a big-box store or online instead of an audiologist?
Yes, but Medicare will not help pay for it either way. Over-the-counter hearing aids sold at stores or online are not covered by Medicare, just as prescription hearing aids are not. If cost is your main concern, over-the-counter options are often cheaper than prescription devices, though they work differently and may not be right for all types of hearing loss.
What if I turn down a hearing aid and just use the diagnostic exam?
That is fine. Medicare covers the diagnostic exam whether or not you decide to get a hearing aid. The exam tells you what kind of hearing loss you have and how severe it is. You can use that information to explore your options — including over-the-counter devices, manufacturer discounts, or waiting until you have more money saved.
Will my Medigap plan cover hearing aids if Medicare does not?
Most Medigap plans do not cover hearing aids because Medicare does not cover them. Medigap plans are designed to cover the gaps in Original Medicare — things like the 20 percent coinsurance or the deductible. Since Medicare does not cover hearing aids at all, Medigap plans typically do not either. Check your plan's coverage document to be sure.
Do I need to be on Medicare to get a hearing exam through my doctor?
No. If you have any health insurance, your plan may cover a diagnostic hearing exam if your doctor orders it. If you have no insurance, you can still get a hearing exam — you just pay the full cost out of pocket. Ask your doctor's office what the exam costs before you schedule it.