How to get hearing aids under Medicare Advantage

Cover for hearing aids is not provided under Medicare Parts A and B. However, Part B does provide up to 20 percent cover for hearing tests prescribed by your doctor who belongs to the Medicare network. Under Medicare, hearing aids are considered as elective item. This means that hearing aids are not considered necessary for survival. Hence, they are not provided under Medicare.

However, you can avail of insurance for hearing aids through supplementary insurance such as Medicare Advantage and Medicaid.

Medicare Advantage through Part C is provided by private insurance providers. Depending on the Medicare Advantage plan you have, you will get benefits that include hearing aids, hearing aid fitting exam, and hearing aid replacement cost as well. With Medicare Advantage, ensure that you carefully read your policy documents. Your plan will have a specific list of hearing aid providers. If you want financial assistance for your hearing aid, you will need to purchase it from providers mentioned in the list and not from anywhere else. Also, your plan might require you to follow a certain process. The cost of hearing aids range from $1250 to $3000. So, make sure that you follow the procedure specified by your plan so that you do not have to pay a hefty out-of-pocket cost for your hearing aid.

In case of Medicaid, different states have different provisions for insurance against hearing loss. Although not all states in the US provide cover for hearing-loss related services, more than half the states give insurance for hearing aids and related services. These services include hearing tests and exams, hearing aid replacements, repairs and batteries, and other required accessories. However, these services differ from state to state. For instance, the state of California has provisions for ear molds under Medicaid. Hawaii does not give insurance for hearing aid repairs. Also, different states have different conditions of eligibility. The provisions and eligibility criteria are revised and updated regularly. Check with your state’s Medicaid office before applying for insurance.

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