Does Medicare Cover Hearing Aids? [Miami Herald]

Two-thirds of Americans over the age of 70 struggle with hearing loss. Yet, only 20% of those people use hearing aids due to the high costs.

So, if you are one of those affected by hearing loss, you will want to know Does Medicare cover hearing aids? We are here to answer all your questions about hearing aid coverage in hopes of increasing the percentage of people who benefit from hearing devices.

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Does Medicare Cover Hearing Aids?

Unfortunately, Medicare doesn’t cover hearing devices. They are pretty upfront about it on their website. It says that the medical insurance provider also doesn’t cover diagnostic hearing exams or hearing aid fittings [1]. Some Medicare Advantage Plans may provide financial assistance with hearing tests and balance exams.

Why Does Medicare Not Cover Hearing Devices?

When hearing aid coverage was discussed when Medicare was first introduced in 1965, they concluded that the devices were ‘routinely needed and low in cost.’ They left Medicare beneficiaries to fit the bill for them themselves. While the cost of the devices has certainly changed, the coverage hasn’t.

Will Medicare Cover Hearing Devices in the Future?

The number of people questioning Does Medicare cover hearing aids? and Why doesn’t Medicare cover hearing devices? is rising. And organizations and lawmakers are taking notice. The Medicare Hearing Aid Coverage Act of 2021-2022 and other similar legislation could expand hearing aid coverage if passed.

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What Are the Different Medicare Parts and What They Cover

Does Medicare cover hearing aids? Medicare is a federal government program designed to provide coverage or financial assistance with health care costs to older adults. Medicare has different plans that differ in the extent of health coverage and price.

The government provides Original Plans, and private insurance companies provide Advantage Plans. Here are all of the Medicare Parts:

Medicare Part A

Medicare Part B

Medicare Part C

Medicare Part D

Medigap

Medicare Part A

Medicare part A, also known as hospital insurance, is part of Original Medicare (together with part B) [2]. It’s available to US citizens aged 65 or older or on disability benefits. Medicare part A is usually free to most people who have worked for at least ten years and paid Medicare taxes. Those eligible for Medicare Part A are generally automatically enrolled. The plan covers:

Hospital care

Nursing facility care

Nursing home care

Hospice care

Home health care

Medicare Part B

Medicare Part B is the second part of the Original Medicare, set by the government to provide health care coverage to older Americans or those on disability benefits. Part A covers hospital insurance, and Part B covers medical treatment, completing the basic needs [3]. Medicare Part B has a broader range of coverage and includes (but is not limited to):

Medically necessary doctor’s services

Ambulance services

Medically necessary screenings

Hospital outpatient setting therapy

Mental health services

Certain home care services

Durable medical devices

Medicare Part C

Medicare Part C is the first of the Medicare Advantage Plans [4]. These are available through private insurance companies that work with Medicare. You aren’t leaving the federal Medicare program when you sign up for Advantage Plans. Quite the opposite. You need to have Part A and Part B to get Part C.

So does Medicare cover hearing aids? Part C gives everything you get from the Original Medicare Plans but the hospice care. You will get your care through a private insurance company instead of Medicare.

Plan C may also include additional coverage, like hearing coverage, including the cost of hearing devices. It may also provide prescription drugs, vision, and dental care coverage.

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Medicare Part D

Medicare Part D is another Medicare prescription drug planavailable through private insurance companies [5]. You can get it as an addition to your Original Medicare plans (A and B) or as part of your Medicare Advantage Plans. The drugs are covered in different ‘tiers’ with copayments and premiums.

Medicare Part D doesn’t cover the cost of hearing devices.

Medigap

Medigap is a Medicare supplement plan designed to fill in the gaps of other Medicare plans. Sometimes, it will also cover emergency medical fees you may need when traveling outside the country. It only works with Original Medicare (A and B) and can’t be used to pay your Medicare Advantage Plan copayments, deductibles, and premiums [6].

But does Medicare cover hearing aids? Unfortunately, Medigap doesn’t cover the cost of hearing devices, but it may cover hearing tests if your doctor orders them. Veterans may be eligible for hearing care and hearing aid coverage through the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Federal workers may also get hearing aid coverage through the Federal Employees Health Benefits program.

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Does Medicare Cover Hearing Aids: Which Medicare Plan Is Best if You Need Hearing Devices?

If you’re wondering, “does Medicare cover hearing aids?” Medicare Part C(the Medicare Advantage Plan) is your best Medicare option for hearing aid coverage. It provides all the health benefits Original Medicare Plans do, but it also offers extra benefits, like hearing. The plan may also cover the cost of hearing aid devices.

How to Get Medicare Advantage Coverage for Hearing Aids

Suppose you are experiencing hearing loss or problems with your hearing health but can’t afford expensive hearing devices. In that case, your best bet is to apply for Plan C. Enrolling on time (in the open enrollment period) is essential to not be denied coverage for pre-existing conditions. The first open enrollment period starts on the first day of the third month ahead of your 65th birthday.

If you enroll outside of the open enrollment period, you may have to pay a late fee and be excluded from coverage for any pre-existing conditions. If you are late, in some cases, you may be eligible for a personal special enrollment period. Some of the circumstances under which you can qualify for a special enrollment period include:

You were overseas during the open enrollment period

You were in a federal institution during the open enrollment period

You lost coverage from some other health care provider through no fault of your own

Your provider went bankrupt and closed your plan

It’s also vital to carefully examine and compare different Plan C optionsbefore settling for one. Check with your insurance provider to see how much of the hearing aid cost they will cover and what will be your out-of-pocket cost.

Remember that you will have other costs, like the hearing test, fitting hearing devices, follow-up appointments, and hearing and balance exams. Figure out your out-of-pocket costs for those, too.

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How Much Does Medicare Cover for Hearing Aids?

Original Medicare Plans don’t cover hearing aid costs and can only help with the diagnostic hearing test and the initial fitting. Advantage plans, like Plan C, may offer some hearing aid coverage. However, the Medicare coverage will only amount to 30% of the hearing aid cost. You would have to pay the remaining 70% out-of-pocket.

How Much Do Hearing Aids Cost With Medicare?

That depends on the type of hearing aid and your Medicare coverage. On average, Medicare users end up paying 70% of the cost of their hearing devices. If the hearing device you chose costs $2,000, you would pay $1,400 out-of-pocket.

What Hearing Aids Does Medicare Cover?

Medicare covers bone-anchored hearing aids (BAHA) and cochlear implants. These implantable devices are covered because they are considered prosthetic devices. Regarding the traditional hearing devices, Medicare Original won’t cover the cost. Some Advantage Plans will cover hearing devices when your health care provider orders them.

Does Medicare Cover Hearing Exams?

Does Medicare cover hearing aids and hearing exams is a common question. Original Medicare won’t pay for your hearing test or other exams [1]. However, some Advantage and Supplement Plans provide tests, exams, and fittings coverage.

Does Medicare Cover Hearing Aids FAQs

Most people with a hearing problem are bound to wonder Does Medicare cover hearing aids? due to the high cost of the devices. They usually have follow-up questions about Medicare coverage, and we answer some of the most common ones.

How Much Will Medicare Pay for Hearing Aids?

Original Medicare plans don’t cover hearing care or hearing aids, and the program is pretty clear about that on its website [1]. However, some other Medicare options, like the Advantage plans, may cover the cost of your hearing aids. In such cases, the Medicare-approved amount usually isn’t enough to cover the entire cost of the devices.

When the program does cover hearing devices, it usually covers around 30% of the cost. That means if the hearing aids you’re considering cost $2,000, the insurance provider will pay about $600. You would have to pay the remaining $1,400 out-of-pocket.

Does Medicare Cover Hearing Aids in 2022?

No, Medicare doesn’t cover hearing devices in 2022. Some legislation is trying to get Medicare to include hearing aids in its coverage, but those are still to be passed. Some Medicare Advantage parts can cover hearing devices or provide financial assistance with hearing care as part of their plan.

Will Medicare Part B Pay for Hearing Aids?

No. Medicare Original (Part A and B) don’t cover the costs of hearing aids. In fact, they don’t even cover other hearing services like hearing tests or fittings. Medicare Advantage plans, like Part C, include hearing aid coverage.

What Medicare Supplement Plans Cover Hearing Aids?

Medigap, or Medicare Supplement Plans, don’t cover the cost of hearing aids. They will cover hearing exams if your doctor orders any. But, patients can buy add-on plans for hearing, vision, and dental. Under an add-on plan, Medigap may cover some of the hearing aid costs.

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Does Medicare Cover Hearing Aids? Final Thoughts

If you are struggling with hearing loss as you age, you should know that a hearing aid device is a worthy investment. It will help you restore your hearing and improve your life overall. However, these devices come with a hefty price tag. Having insurance that could offer some help footing the bill goes a long way.

Unfortunately, Medicare’s Original plans won’t be able to provide any help with the cost of the device or the accompanying exams. Medicare Advantage plans, like Plan C, offer hearing aid coverage. While the amount isn’t high (around 30%), it’s still better than anything, so be sure to look into your options and enroll on time to be eligible.

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References:

“Hearing Aids.” Hearing Aid Coverage, https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/hearing-aids#:~:text=Medicare%20doesn’t%20cover%20hearing,exams%20for%20fitting%20hearing%20aids.

“What Part A Covers.” Medicare, https://www.medicare.gov/what-medicare-covers/what-part-a-covers.

“What Part B Covers.” Medicare, https://www.medicare.gov/what-medicare-covers/what-part-b-covers.

“Medicare Advantage Plans.” Medicare, https://www.medicare.gov/types-of-medicare-health-plans/medicare-advantage-plans.

“Drug Coverage (Part D).” Medicare, https://www.medicare.gov/drug-coverage-part-d.

https://www.medicare.gov/supplements-other-insurance/whats-medicare-supplement-insurance-medigap