Medicare's coverage of hearing aids is limited, but Part B covers hearing tests in certain situations
Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) does not cover hearing aids themselves or their fitting. However, Part B does cover a diagnostic hearing test if your doctor orders it to see whether you have a medical problem — not straightforward to fit you for a hearing aid. Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) vary in what they cover; some include hearing aid benefits while others do not. If hearing aids are important to your budget, you will need to check your specific plan's coverage details.
The distinction matters because Medicare treats hearing aids as devices you purchase for convenience or quality of life, not as treatment for a diagnosed medical condition the way it treats, say, a pacemaker or a wheelchair. That said, the landscape is shifting slightly, and some newer Medicare Advantage plans have begun to include hearing aid coverage as a way to attract members. Your out-of-pocket cost for hearing aids typically ranges widely depending on the type and where you buy them, but the price is entirely your responsibility under Original Medicare.
Key Takeaways
- Original Medicare Part B covers a diagnostic hearing test ordered by your doctor, but does not cover hearing aids or their fitting.
- Medicare Advantage plans vary widely — some cover hearing aids and some do not, so you must check your individual plan's summary of benefits.
- If you have Original Medicare and need a hearing aid, you will pay the full cost yourself, though some community health centers and nonprofit organizations offer reduced-cost options.
- A diagnostic hearing test through Medicare requires a doctor's order and is different from a routine hearing aid fitting test at a hearing aid store.
What Original Medicare Part B covers for hearing
Part B covers a diagnostic hearing test — meaning a test your doctor orders to investigate whether you have a medical hearing problem — if it is performed in a hospital outpatient department or by an audiologist who is enrolled in Medicare. The test itself is covered at 80 percent after you meet your Part B deductible, and you pay the remaining 20 percent. This is not the same as a routine hearing aid fitting test; the diagnostic test is meant to help your doctor understand what is causing hearing loss, not to measure you for a device.
The key word is "diagnostic." If you walk into a hearing aid store and ask for a hearing test so you can buy hearing aids, that test is not covered by Medicare because it is not ordered by a doctor for medical diagnosis. Your doctor must order the test, and it must be performed at a covered location. If you are unsure whether your doctor's order qualifies, call your local Medicare office or ask the testing facility whether they accept Medicare for that specific test.
What Original Medicare Part B does not cover
Original Medicare does not cover the hearing aids themselves, the fitting of hearing aids, or the adjustments and maintenance that follow. It also does not cover routine hearing tests done for the purpose of buying a hearing aid — only diagnostic tests ordered by a doctor. If you need hearing aids and have Original Medicare, you will need to pay for them out of pocket or find another source of funding.
This is one of the larger gaps in Original Medicare coverage. A single hearing aid can cost anywhere from several hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the type and features. Many people with Original Medicare turn to community health centers, state vocational rehabilitation programs, or nonprofit organizations that offer discounted or donated hearing aids. Some hearing aid manufacturers also run programs for people with limited income.
How Medicare Advantage plans handle hearing aid coverage
Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) are run by private insurance companies and can cover services that Original Medicare does not. Some Medicare Advantage plans now include hearing aid coverage as part of their benefits package. The coverage varies significantly — one plan might cover one hearing aid per ear every three years, while another might cover two per ear annually, or might limit you to hearing aids from a specific network of providers.
If you are considering a Medicare Advantage plan or already have one, look at the plan's Summary of Benefits and Coverage document, which lists what hearing services are included. You can find this on the plan's website or by calling the plan directly. If hearing aids are important to you, this is worth checking before you enroll or during the annual open enrollment period when you can switch plans. Some plans charge a copay for hearing aids; others cover them at no additional cost beyond your monthly premium.
Steps to take if you have Original Medicare and need a hearing aid
Start by talking to your primary care doctor about your hearing loss. Your doctor can order a diagnostic hearing test if they think it is medically necessary, which Medicare will cover. This test may help identify whether your hearing loss is caused by something treatable or whether a hearing aid is the right next step.
If you do need a hearing aid, explore these options: contact your local Area Agency on Aging to ask about hearing aid programs in your region; call your state's vocational rehabilitation office (often called the Department of Rehabilitation Services) to see whether you are may be able to access for information; search for community health centers near you that offer audiology services at reduced cost; and look into nonprofit organizations like the Hearing Loss Association of America, which maintains a directory of resources by state. Some hearing aid manufacturers, including Starkey and Phonak, have donation and reduced-cost programs for people with limited income.
What happens during a Medicare-covered diagnostic hearing test
A diagnostic hearing test ordered by your doctor is typically performed by an audiologist in a hospital outpatient setting or in an audiology clinic that accepts Medicare. The test itself — often called an audiogram — measures how well you hear at different pitches and volumes. It takes 20 to 30 minutes and is painless. Your doctor receives the results and discusses them with you.
This test is different from a hearing aid fitting test because its purpose is diagnosis, not sales. The audiologist is not trying to sell you a device; they are gathering information for your doctor. If the test shows you would benefit from a hearing aid, your doctor can refer you to an audiologist for fitting, but that fitting and the device itself are not covered by Medicare if you have Original Medicare.
Checking your coverage before you buy
Before you spend money on a hearing aid, confirm your coverage. If you have Original Medicare, call Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE to ask whether a specific test your doctor has ordered is covered. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, call the plan's customer service number (on your insurance card) and ask what hearing aid coverage is included in your plan and whether there are network providers you must use.
If you are shopping for hearing aids without Medicare coverage, ask the hearing aid provider whether they offer payment plans or discounts for people without insurance coverage. Some providers offer financing options that let you spread the cost over time. Getting a second opinion on the type and cost of hearing aid you need is also reasonable — prices and features vary widely between providers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Medicare cover hearing aid batteries?
No. Original Medicare does not cover hearing aid batteries, cleaning, repairs, or adjustments. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan that covers hearing aids, check your plan documents to see whether batteries are included; some plans cover them and some do not.
Can I get a hearing test through Medicare without a doctor's order?
No. Medicare only covers a diagnostic hearing test when a doctor orders it. A routine hearing test at a hearing aid store or audiology clinic for the purpose of buying a hearing aid is not covered, even if you have Medicare.
What if my Medicare Advantage plan does not cover hearing aids?
You can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan during the annual open enrollment period (October 15 to December 7) if hearing aid coverage is important to you. You can also return to Original Medicare, though you would then have no coverage for hearing aids. Contact your Area Agency on Aging or local vocational rehabilitation office for reduced-cost options.
Are prescription hearing aids covered differently than over-the-counter ones?
Medicare does not distinguish between prescription and over-the-counter hearing aids — neither is covered under Original Medicare. Some Medicare Advantage plans may have different rules, so check your plan's summary of benefits.
If my doctor orders a hearing test, will Medicare pay for the whole thing?
Medicare Part B covers 80 percent of the cost of a diagnostic hearing test after you meet your deductible. You pay the remaining 20 percent. The exact amount depends on what the test costs and your deductible status for the year.