Will insurance help pay for hearing aids?
The honest answer is: sometimes, but not always.
Hearing aid coverage depends on the type of insurance you have, the exact plan, where you live, whether you need prescription or over-the-counter hearing aids, and whether your plan pays directly or reimburses you after purchase.
We'll also help you answer these questions in this article:
- How much will I actually pay with insurance coverage?
- What does my plan really include?
- What are my options if insurance does not cover enough?
Does Insurance Cover Hearing Aids?
Some insurance plans cover hearing aids, but many do not cover them fully.
- Original Medicare doesn't cover hearing aids or exams for fitting hearing aids.
- Some Medicare Advantage plans may offer extra hearing benefits.
- Medicaid or private insurance may cover hearing aids in whole or in part, depending on the plan.
That means two people can both have "insurance" and get completely different answers.
One plan may help pay for hearing aids. Another may only cover a hearing test. Another may offer a discount through a specific provider network. Another may allow reimbursement after you buy. Another may not help with the devices at all.
Covered doesn't always mean free.
A hearing aid benefit may still come with a deductible, copay, coinsurance, dollar limit, provider restriction, brand restriction, or replacement schedule.
Hearing Aid Coverage by Plan Type
Here is a quick overview of how different coverage paths may work.
Why Hearing Aid Insurance Coverage Is So Confusing
Hearing aid coverage can feel confusing because "hearing care" is not always treated as one simple benefit.
Your plan may separate:
- Hearing exams
- Diagnostic hearing and balance testing
- Hearing aid fitting exams
- Hearing aids
- Programming and adjustments
- Batteries
- Repairs
- Maintenance
- Warranties
- Follow-up care
That is why someone may be told, "Yes, your plan has hearing benefits," only to find out later that the benefit does not cover the actual hearing aids, only covers certain brands, or only works through a specific provider.
This is also why it helps to ask very specific questions before buying.
A Hearing Test May Be Covered, But the Hearing Aids May Not Be
Some plans may cover a diagnostic hearing exam, especially when it is ordered to diagnose or manage a medical condition. But that doesn't automatically mean the plan will cover hearing aids.
With Original Medicare, for example, certain diagnostic hearing and balance exams may be covered under Part B when ordered by a doctor or other health care provider to find out whether medical treatment is needed. But Original Medicare still does not cover hearing aids or exams for fitting hearing aids.
Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage
Medicare is one of the most common sources of confusion because there is a major difference between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage.
Original Medicare
Original Medicare does not cover hearing aids or exams for fitting hearing aids. If you only have Original Medicare and no other hearing benefit, you should expect to pay the full cost of hearing aids yourself.
Original Medicare may cover certain diagnostic hearing and balance exams under Part B, but only in specific medical situations. That does not include routine hearing aid fitting exams or the hearing aids themselves.
Medicare Advantage
Some Medicare Advantage plans offer extra hearing benefits that Original Medicare does not cover. These benefits vary by plan, location, insurer, and year.
A Medicare Advantage hearing benefit may include:
- A hearing aid allowance
- A fixed copay for certain devices
- A discount through a hearing network
- Coverage for one or two hearing aids
- Limits on how often you can replace hearing aids
- Coverage only through specific providers
- Coverage for fittings, batteries, repairs, or follow-up care
The key is to check your exact plan documents. Do not assume your neighbor's Medicare Advantage hearing benefit is the same as yours.
Medicaid Coverage: Children and Adults Are Different
Medicaid hearing aid coverage depends on age and state rules.
- For children under 21 who are enrolled in Medicaid, hearing services are part of the EPSDT benefit. That means Medicaid hearing services include screening, diagnosis, and treatment for hearing defects, including hearing aids when medically necessary.
- For adults, Medicaid coverage varies by state. Some state Medicaid programs cover adult hearing aids, some limit coverage to certain medical situations, and some may require prior authorization, medical necessity documentation, hearing loss criteria, provider rules, or replacement limits.
Because adult Medicaid benefits can change, check your state Medicaid program or managed care plan before buying hearing aids. Ask whether adult hearing aids are covered, whether you need prior authorization, whether repairs or batteries are included, and whether the benefit applies to prescription hearing aids, OTC hearing aids, or both.
Which States May Not Cover Adult Medicaid Hearing Aids?
Adult Medicaid hearing aid coverage varies by state.
In KFF's 2018 fee-for-service Medicaid benefits survey for traditional Medicaid adults ages 21 and older, 18 states reported no adult Medicaid hearing aids or other hearing devices benefit:
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Idaho
- Louisiana
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- North Carolina
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Tennessee
- Utah
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
Use this list as a starting point, not the final answer. State Medicaid rules can change, and Medicaid managed care plans may offer benefits that are different from fee-for-service Medicaid. The safest step is to check your current state Medicaid program or member handbook before assuming hearing aids are covered or excluded.
What About State Insurance Laws?
Some states have hearing aid coverage rules, but these laws often apply only to certain groups, such as children, or only to certain state-regulated health plans. They may not apply to every private insurance plan, Medicare plan, Medicaid plan, or self-funded employer plan.
That is why the state you live in matters, but your exact plan still matters more.
When you call your insurer, ask:
- Is my plan subject to my state's hearing aid coverage law?
- Does the benefit apply to adults, children, or both?
- Does it cover prescription hearing aids, OTC hearing aids, or only certain devices?
- Is there a dollar limit per ear?
- How often can the benefit be used?
- Do I need to use a specific provider or network?
Private Insurance, Employer Benefits, and Union Benefits
Private insurance also varies. Some plans cover hearing aids in whole or in part. Some offer partial reimbursement. Some offer a discount program. Some exclude hearing aids but may cover related exams. Some employer or union plans offer separate hearing benefits outside of the main medical insurance benefit.
This is why it is worth checking more than one place:
- Medical insurance plan
- Medicare Advantage plan, if you have one
- Medicaid plan, if applicable
- Employer benefits
- Union benefits
- Flexible spending or health savings account
- Veterans benefits, if applicable
A hearing aid benefit may be hiding in a place you did not expect.
Veterans: Check VA Benefits First
If you're a veteran, private insurance may not be your strongest first option.
Eligible veterans can register for VA care and schedule an audiology evaluation. If a VA audiologist determines that hearing aids or other hearing assistive devices are needed, VA may provide the hearing aids, repairs, and future batteries at no charge as long as the veteran maintains eligibility for care.
This is especially important for veterans with hearing loss or tinnitus connected to military noise exposure. Before assuming you need to pay fully out of pocket or rely only on private insurance, check whether VA hearing benefits are available to you.
What to Ask Your Insurance Company Before Buying Hearing Aids
Before you buy hearing aids, call your insurance company or use the member portal. Ask for your hearing aid benefit in writing if possible.
Use this checklist:
- Does my plan cover hearing aids?
- Does the benefit cover one hearing aid or both ears?
- Is there a dollar allowance?
- Is there a copay or coinsurance?
- Do I need to meet a deductible first?
- Do I need prior authorization?
- Do I need a referral?
- Do I have to use an in-network provider?
- Are prescription hearing aids covered?
- Are over-the-counter hearing aids covered?
- Are hearing aid fittings and adjustments covered?
- Are batteries, repairs, maintenance, or warranties covered?
- How often can I use the benefit?
- Does the benefit renew every year, every two years, every three years, or on another schedule?
- Can I submit an out-of-network receipt for reimbursement?
- What documents do I need for reimbursement?
- Do you need an audiogram, itemized invoice, claim form, provider information, or proof of payment?
One helpful phrase to use is:
"I am considering prescription hearing aids. Can you tell me exactly what my plan covers, what it excludes, and whether I can submit a receipt for reimbursement if the provider does not bill insurance directly?"
That question gets you closer to the information that actually matters.
"Covered" Does Not Always Mean "Paid For"
A plan may say it covers hearing aids, but the benefit may still be limited. For example, coverage may mean:
- The plan pays up to a fixed dollar amount
- You pay a copay per device
- You pay coinsurance after meeting your deductible
- You must buy through a specific hearing network
- You can only choose certain brands or technology levels
- You can only use the benefit once every few years
- The plan covers the exam but not the devices
- The plan reimburses you after purchase instead of paying up front
That is why the real question is not simply whether hearing aids are covered. The real question is what your plan actually pays for and what you still owe.
Can I Use HSA or FSA Funds for Hearing Aids?
Yes, many people can use HSA or FSA funds for hearing aids if they have one of these accounts. Hearing aids, batteries, repairs, and maintenance can qualify as medical expenses.
This is not the same as insurance coverage, but it can still make the purchase easier by allowing you to use tax-advantaged funds.
If you are planning ahead, this can be a useful way to manage cost. If you already have HSA or FSA funds available, ask your account administrator what documentation is required before purchasing.
Are OTC Hearing Aids Covered by Insurance?
Over-the-counter hearing aids have made hearing help more accessible for some adults, but insurance coverage can still vary.
The FDA describes OTC hearing aids as devices for adults 18 and older with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. OTC hearing aids can be bought without a medical exam, prescription, or fitting by an audiologist.
That does not mean every insurance plan covers OTC hearing aids. Some plans may exclude them. Some may cover only prescription devices. Some may offer reimbursement only through specific providers or benefit programs.
If you are considering OTC hearing aids, ask your insurance company:
- Are OTC hearing aids covered?
- Are prescription hearing aids covered?
- Does the plan treat them differently?
- Do I need a diagnosis or audiogram?
- Can I buy online and submit a receipt?
- Are there brand or retailer restrictions?
OTC vs. Prescription Hearing Aids: Why the Category Matters
- OTC hearing aids can be a good option for some adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss who want a basic boost and feel comfortable adjusting devices themselves.
- Prescription hearing aids can support a broader range of hearing needs. They are programmed based on a hearing test and can be customized to your hearing profile, preferences, and listening environments. Prescription care also gives you professional support for fitting, adjustments, troubleshooting, counseling, and follow-up care.
This matters because hearing better is not only about making everything louder. The right choice depends on your hearing, lifestyle, comfort with technology, budget, and support needs.
What If Insurance Doesn't Cover Enough?
If your insurance doesn't cover hearing aids or doesn't cover enough to make the cost manageable, you still have options.
You can:
- Ask whether your plan allows out-of-network reimbursement
- Use HSA or FSA funds if eligible
- Check VA benefits if you are a veteran
- Check Medicaid or state hearing aid programs if eligible
- Ask your employer or union about separate hearing benefits
- Ask whether payment plans are available
- Compare the real cost of using insurance against transparent self-pay options
- Choose a provider that gives you clear pricing, support, and documentation
This is where it helps to think beyond insurance.
Insurance may be one piece of the decision, but hearing aids also need to fit your life. They need to help in the places that matter: home, work, restaurants, errands, hobbies, worship services, family dinners, phone calls, and quiet moments when tinnitus feels louder than everything else.
Where BLUEMOTH Fits
BLUEMOTH is designed for people who want prescription hearing care without the traditional clinic-heavy experience.
With BLUEMOTH, you can try three sets of prescription hearing aids from home and walk through the process with telehealth support. That gives you a chance to test hearing technology in the places where you actually live your life, not just in an office.
BLUEMOTH doesn't work directly with insurance companies, so technology and services are self-pay. However, if your insurance has hearing aid benefits, you can submit your receipt or invoice to your insurance company for possible reimbursement. If you schedule an appointment and upload your insurance information, BLUEMOTH can complete a complimentary verification of benefits and discuss your coverage and options during your appointment.
BLUEMOTH also accepts FSA and HSA payments and offers payment options at checkout.
That makes BLUEMOTH a practical option if:
- Your insurance does not cover hearing aids
- Your insurance benefit is limited
- You want to know whether reimbursement may be possible
- You want prescription hearing aids
- You want an audiologist's support
- You want to try devices at home before fully committing
- You want clear pricing and a more life-friendly process
Insurance can help some people, but it does not always make the decision simple. BLUEMOTH helps make the next step clearer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Medicare cover hearing aids?
Original Medicare does not cover hearing aids or exams for fitting hearing aids. Some Medicare Advantage plans may offer extra hearing benefits, but the details vary by plan.
Does Medicare cover hearing tests?
Medicare Part B may cover diagnostic hearing and balance exams if they are ordered by a doctor or other health care provider to determine whether medical treatment is needed. This is different from coverage for hearing aids or hearing aid fitting exams.
Does Medicare Advantage cover hearing aids?
Some Medicare Advantage plans offer hearing aid benefits, but coverage varies. Check your plan's allowance, copays, network rules, covered brands, fitting coverage, batteries, repairs, and replacement schedule.
Does Medicaid cover hearing aids?
For children under 21 enrolled in Medicaid, hearing services include screening, diagnosis, and treatment for hearing defects, including hearing aids when medically necessary. For adults, Medicaid hearing aid coverage varies by state and may include limits, prior authorization, or medical necessity rules.
Which states may not cover adult Medicaid hearing aids?
In KFF's 2018 fee-for-service Medicaid benefits survey for traditional Medicaid adults ages 21 and older, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia reported no adult Medicaid hearing aids or other hearing devices benefit. Because benefits can change and managed care plans may differ, check your current state Medicaid program before making a decision.
Can I submit hearing aids to insurance for reimbursement?
Some plans allow reimbursement after purchase, but not all do. Ask your insurance company whether out-of-network reimbursement is allowed and what documents are required, such as an itemized invoice, proof of payment, audiogram, provider information, or claim form.
Can I use HSA or FSA funds for hearing aids?
Many people can use HSA or FSA funds for hearing aids, batteries, repairs, and maintenance. Check with your account administrator to confirm documentation requirements before purchasing.