Medicare's coverage of hearing aids and eyeglasses

Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not pay for hearing aids or routine eye exams and eyeglasses. This is one of the largest gaps in standard Medicare coverage — millions of beneficiaries pay out of pocket for both. However, some Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) do cover hearing aids, and a smaller number cover vision care including eyeglasses. The coverage varies widely by plan and by year, so what one plan offers in your area may differ from what another offers.

If you have Original Medicare and need both hearing aids and eyeglasses, you will need to look beyond Medicare itself. That means checking whether you have supplemental coverage (Medigap), exploring Medicare Advantage alternatives during open enrollment, or finding community programs and discount retailers that serve older adults on fixed incomes.

Key Takeaways

  • Original Medicare does not cover hearing aids, eyeglasses, or routine eye exams under any circumstance.
  • Some Medicare Advantage plans cover hearing aids and vision care, but coverage amounts and which providers you can use vary by plan and location.
  • Medigap supplemental insurance does not cover hearing aids or eyeglasses either, though some plans cover routine eye exams.
  • If you need both services, compare Medicare Advantage plans during open enrollment, or look into state programs, Lions Club chapters, and discount vision retailers in your area.
  • You can switch to a Medicare Advantage plan or change plans once per year during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7).

What Original Medicare does and does not cover

Original Medicare covers medical services — hospital stays, doctor visits, lab work, certain surgeries — but it has strict exclusions for items it classifies as "routine" or "preventive" rather than treatment for disease. Hearing aids and eyeglasses fall into that category. Medicare will not pay for a hearing aid even if you have severe hearing loss, and it will not pay for an eye exam to check your vision or for glasses to correct it.

The only exception is if you have a medical condition that requires an eye exam as part of treatment — for example, an exam to monitor diabetic retinopathy. In that case, Medicare covers the exam itself, but not the eyeglasses that result from it. Similarly, if you have a condition like age-related macular degeneration, Medicare covers the medical management but not low-vision aids or magnifying glasses.

Medicare Advantage plans and their hearing and vision benefits

Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) are an alternative to Original Medicare. They are run by private insurance companies and must cover everything Original Medicare covers, but they can add extra benefits. Many plans include coverage for hearing aids, routine eye exams, and eyeglasses — though the amount they pay and which providers you can use depend on the specific plan.

Some Medicare Advantage plans cover hearing aids up to a certain dollar amount per year (often $500 to $2,000), while others cover a percentage of the cost. Vision coverage may include one routine eye exam per year and an allowance toward frames and lenses (often $100 to $200 per year). A few plans cover both generously; many cover one but not the other; and some cover neither. You will need to check the plan documents or call the plan directly to know what you would actually receive.

If you are currently on Original Medicare and want hearing and vision coverage, you can switch to a Medicare Advantage plan during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7 each year). If you are already on a Medicare Advantage plan, you can switch to a different plan or back to Original Medicare during that same window. Plans change their benefits year to year, so even if your current plan does not cover hearing aids or eyeglasses, a different plan in your area might.

Medigap supplemental insurance and what it covers

Medigap (supplemental insurance) fills gaps in Original Medicare coverage — it pays copays, coinsurance, and deductibles that Medicare does not cover. However, Medigap does not add new benefits that Original Medicare does not already cover. Since Original Medicare does not cover hearing aids or eyeglasses, Medigap will not either.

Some Medigap plans do cover routine eye exams (Plan C and Plan F, for example), but they cover the exam itself, not the eyeglasses. If you have Medigap and need both hearing aids and eyeglasses, Medigap will not help with either one. You would still need to pay out of pocket or find another source of coverage.

Community programs and discount options for hearing aids

Several organizations help older adults pay for hearing aids when Medicare does not. The Hearing Loss Association of America maintains a directory of state-by-state programs, some of which offer free or reduced-cost hearing aids based on income. Some state health departments run their own hearing aid programs. The Veterans Administration covers hearing aids for may be able to access veterans at no cost.

Costco, Sam's Club, and Walmart all operate in-house hearing aid centers and typically charge less than independent audiologists. If you do not have insurance coverage, comparing prices across these retailers and local audiologists can save hundreds of dollars. Some hearing aid manufacturers also run patient information programs for people with limited income.

Community programs and discount options for eyeglasses

The Lions Club has chapters in most communities and distributes free or low-cost eyeglasses to people who cannot afford them. You can find your local chapter through lionsclubs.org. Some community health centers offer free or sliding-scale eye exams and glasses. Medicaid covers vision care in most states, even for adults over 65 who are also on Medicare (this is called "dual may be able to access").

Discount retailers like Warby Parker, Zenni, and EyeBuyDirect sell frames and lenses online at a fraction of the cost of traditional optometry offices. If you already know your prescription, you can order glasses for $50 to $150 instead of $200 to $400. Some public libraries partner with these retailers to offer discounts to cardholders.

Comparing your options during open enrollment

If you are on Original Medicare and need both hearing aids and eyeglasses, the most direct path is to switch to a Medicare Advantage plan that covers both. During the Annual Enrollment Period, you can review plans in your area on Medicare.gov and filter by benefits. Look at the plan's formulary or benefit document to see the exact dollar amounts for hearing aids and vision care, and check whether the plan includes your preferred audiologist or eye doctor.

Keep in mind that Medicare Advantage plans have networks — you may have to use in-network providers to receive the benefit. If you have a hearing aid provider or eye doctor you want to keep, confirm they are in the plan's network before you switch. You can also call the plan directly and ask a representative to walk you through the hearing and vision benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Medicare cover hearing aid batteries or repairs?

Original Medicare does not cover batteries, repairs, or maintenance for hearing aids. Some Medicare Advantage plans include coverage for batteries and repairs as part of their hearing aid benefit, but you will need to check your specific plan. If you are on Original Medicare, you pay for all hearing aid maintenance out of pocket.

Can I use my Medicare Advantage hearing aid benefit at any audiologist?

No. Medicare Advantage plans have networks, and you must use an in-network provider to receive the hearing aid benefit. If you use an out-of-network audiologist, you will pay the full cost yourself. Before you switch plans, confirm that your preferred audiologist is in the network, or be prepared to switch providers.

What if I am on Medicaid and Medicare at the same time?

If you are dual may be able to access (on both Medicaid and Medicare), Medicaid covers hearing aids and eyeglasses in most states. Medicaid is your primary payer for these services, so you should contact your state Medicaid office or your Medicaid managed care plan to learn what they cover and how to access it.

Can I get a tax deduction for hearing aids or eyeglasses?

Hearing aids are deductible as a medical expense if you itemize deductions on your tax return and your total medical expenses exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. Eyeglasses are also deductible under the same rules. You will need to keep receipts and work with a tax professional to determine whether you benefit from itemizing.

What happens to my hearing aid coverage if I switch Medicare Advantage plans?

Each plan has its own benefit structure, so coverage may change when you switch. Your new plan may cover more, less, or the same amount. You can switch plans once per year during open enrollment, so if your current plan's hearing aid benefit is not enough, you can look for a plan with better coverage during the next enrollment period.