Medicare's hearing aid coverage is limited — Original Medicare does not pay for hearing aids or their fitting, but some Medicare Advantage plans do offer partial coverage.
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover hearing aids or the cost of fitting them, even if a doctor prescribes them. This has been the rule for decades. However, Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) vary widely — some include hearing aid coverage, some cover only the exam, and some cover nothing. The amount you pay depends entirely on which plan you have.
If you have Original Medicare and need hearing aids, you will pay the full cost out of pocket unless you find coverage through another source: a Medigap plan, your state Medicaid program, the Veterans Administration, or a hearing aid manufacturer's discount program.
Key Takeaways
- Original Medicare does not cover hearing aids or hearing aid fittings under any circumstances.
- Some Medicare Advantage plans include hearing aid coverage, but the amount varies — check your plan's summary of benefits or call the plan directly to learn what yours covers.
- If you have Original Medicare, Medicaid, the VA, or manufacturer programs may cover part or all of the cost depending on your state and military history.
- A hearing aid typically costs between $1,000 and $6,000 per ear, so knowing your coverage before you buy can save you hundreds of dollars.
How Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage differ on hearing aids
Original Medicare (the government-run plan) explicitly excludes hearing aids and related services. This means no coverage for the devices themselves, no coverage for the audiologist's exam or fitting, and no coverage for adjustments or repairs after purchase. The exclusion applies regardless of medical need or doctor recommendation.
Medicare Advantage plans are run by private insurance companies and can choose to cover services that Original Medicare does not. Some Advantage plans include hearing aid coverage as a supplemental benefit — meaning they add it on top of what Original Medicare covers. Others do not. The coverage that is offered varies: one plan might cover $500 toward hearing aids per year, another might cover $1,500 every two years, and a third might cover the exam but not the devices.
To find out what your Medicare Advantage plan covers, look at your plan's "Summary of Benefits and Coverage" document, which you should have received when you enrolled. If you cannot find it, call the plan's customer service number on your insurance card and ask specifically: "Does this plan cover hearing aids? If so, how much per ear, how often, and do I need a referral?"
What to expect if you have Original Medicare
If you are on Original Medicare and want hearing aids, you have several options for finding coverage or discounts. Medicaid covers hearing aids in most states, but income and asset limits explore — contact your state Medicaid office to learn whether you meet them. The Veterans Administration covers hearing aids for may be able to access veterans at no cost; you can start by calling the VA at 1-800-827-1000 or visiting VA.gov.
If you do not meet Medicaid or VA criteria, hearing aid manufacturers often run discount programs for uninsured or underinsured people. Phonak, Oticon, Widex, Starkey, and ReSound all have programs that reduce the cost of devices and fitting. You can ask an audiologist whether the brand they recommend participates in a discount program, or contact the manufacturer directly.
Some nonprofit organizations and local health departments also offer reduced-cost hearing services or can refer you to audiologists who offer sliding-scale fees. Call your local Area Agency on Aging to ask whether programs exist in your area.
Medicare Advantage plans that include hearing aid coverage
Not all Medicare Advantage plans offer hearing aid coverage, and those that do vary widely in what they cover. Plans that do include hearing benefits typically cover between $500 and $2,000 per year toward devices and fitting, though some cover more. A few plans cover routine hearing exams as well; most do not.
To compare hearing coverage across plans, use the Medicare Plan Finder tool at Medicare.gov. Enter your zip code, and the tool will show you all available plans in your area. Click on each plan and look for "Hearing" or "Hearing aids" in the benefits list. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE and ask a representative to tell you which plans in your area cover hearing aids and how much.
If you are choosing a Medicare Advantage plan for the first time or during the annual open enrollment period (October 15 to December 7), hearing aid coverage can be one factor in your decision — especially if you know you need or will soon need hearing aids.
Medigap plans and hearing aid coverage
Medigap (supplemental insurance) policies sold alongside Original Medicare do not cover hearing aids. Medigap plans are designed to cover the gaps in Original Medicare — things like copays, coinsurance, and deductibles — but they do not add new benefits that Original Medicare does not have. Since Original Medicare does not cover hearing aids, Medigap will not either.
If you have Original Medicare and a Medigap plan, your hearing aid costs will still be entirely out of pocket. However, if you are considering switching to a Medicare Advantage plan that includes hearing coverage, you would drop your Medigap plan and enroll in the Advantage plan instead.
How much hearing aids cost and what to budget
A single hearing aid typically costs between $1,000 and $6,000, depending on the technology level, brand, and features. Most people need two (one for each ear), so the total can range from $2,000 to $12,000 or more. The fitting appointment, which includes testing and adjustment, usually costs $200 to $500 and is often included in the device price.
If your Medicare Advantage plan covers hearing aids, the amount they pay reduces what you owe. For example, if your plan covers $1,000 per ear per year and you buy two hearing aids at $3,000 each, you would pay $5,000 out of pocket (the plan pays $1,000 per ear, or $2,000 total). If you have no coverage, you pay the full $6,000.
Before you buy, ask the audiologist for an itemized quote that separates the device cost from the fitting cost. This helps you understand what your insurance will and will not cover, and it lets you compare prices across providers.
Steps to take if you think you need hearing aids
Start by scheduling a hearing test with an audiologist or your primary care doctor. Your doctor can refer you to an audiologist, or you can find one through your insurance plan's provider directory or by searching online. The hearing test itself is usually covered by Medicare (as a diagnostic service) if your doctor orders it, though some audiologists charge a fee if you are not referred by a physician.
Once you have the test results and know you need hearing aids, ask the audiologist which brands and models they recommend and what each costs. Then check your insurance coverage: if you have Medicare Advantage, call your plan and confirm the hearing aid benefit. If you have Original Medicare, explore Medicaid, VA, or manufacturer programs before you commit to paying full price.
Do not rush into a purchase. Hearing aids are a significant expense, and taking time to understand your coverage and compare options can save you hundreds of dollars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Medicare cover hearing tests or exams?
Original Medicare covers a hearing test if your doctor orders it as a diagnostic service — meaning you have symptoms or a medical reason for the test. Medicare does not cover routine hearing exams done for screening purposes. Medicare Advantage plans vary; some cover routine exams, others do not. Check your plan's benefits or call your plan to ask.
Can I use my Medicare benefits to pay for hearing aids at a big-box store like Costco?
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan that covers hearing aids, you can usually buy from any audiologist or provider, including Costco's hearing aid center. However, some plans limit coverage to in-network providers, so check your plan documents or call before you go. Original Medicare does not cover hearing aids anywhere, so Costco would not change that.
What if I turn 65 and enroll in Medicare but already own hearing aids?
Medicare does not cover hearing aids you already own or repairs to them. If your existing hearing aids need servicing, you will pay out of pocket. If you need new hearing aids after you enroll in Medicare, the coverage rules above explore depending on whether you have Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan.
Do I need a referral from my doctor to get hearing aids covered by Medicare Advantage?
It depends on your plan. Some Medicare Advantage plans require a doctor's referral to cover hearing aids; others do not. Check your plan's summary of benefits or call your plan to ask what is required before you schedule an appointment with an audiologist.
Can I appeal if Medicare Advantage denies coverage for hearing aids?
Yes. If your plan denies a hearing aid claim, you have the right to file an appeal. Contact your plan's customer service number and ask for the appeals process. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE for help understanding your appeal rights.