Does Medicare Cover Hearing Aids?
Original Medicare doesn't cover hearing aids or routine hearing exams for fitting them. It covers diagnostic hearing and balance exams when ordered. Many Medicare Advantage plans include hearing benefits.
Quick answer
Original Medicare doesn't cover hearing aids or exams for fitting them. Part B may cover diagnostic hearing and balance exams when your doctor or provider orders them to determine whether you need medical treatment. Many Medicare Advantage plans offer some hearing benefits, such as allowances for hearing aids.
Your options
| Option | What to know |
|---|---|
| Medicare Advantage hearing benefits | Allowances and networks vary; check limits |
| Over-the-counter hearing aids | Available without a prescription for adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss |
| Paying directly | Prices vary widely; ask about bundled vs. unbundled pricing |
| HSA funds saved before Medicare | Hearing aids are generally qualified medical expenses |
| State or nonprofit programs | Some offer assistance |
Questions to ask
- Is the allowance per ear or per pair, and how often?
- Are fittings and follow-up visits included?
- Must you use a specific network?
See Medicare basics.
The takeaway
Hearing aids aren't covered by Original Medicare. Medicare Advantage hearing benefits, over-the-counter devices, and savings are the common ways people pay for them.
Sources
Keep reading
Car Total Loss Settlements: How Insurers Decide, How They Value the Car, and What You Can Challenge
When repairs cost too much relative to a car's value, insurers declare a total loss and pay actual cash value. Here is how that decision is made, how the value is calculated, and what happens if you owe more than the car is worth.
Guide, 4 min read
Condo Insurance (HO-6) and the Master Policy Gap
A condo owner's coverage starts where the association's master policy stops. Knowing which type of master policy you have, and how loss assessments work, prevents expensive surprises. Here is how the pieces fit.
Guide, 3 min read
Accelerated Death Benefits: Using Life Insurance While Living
Many life insurance policies let you access part of the death benefit if you're terminally, chronically, or critically ill. Here is how accelerated benefits work, what they reduce, and the trade-offs.
Article, 2 min read