Has a hearing test revealed you need hearing aids? Well, if you’re thinking Medicare will cover the cost of a pair of hearing aids, further tests or bills associated with hearing exams, listen up.
Medicare Parts A & B do not cover hearing aids. You will have to pay 100 percent of the cost associated with ordering them, including fittings and exams.
However, if you are covered by a Medicare Advantage plan you may be in luck! Ninety-seven percent of Medicare Advantage Plans offer some sort of hearing aid coverage*. Very often, these plans cover expenses for:
- Hearing exams
- Fittings and service
- Hearing aid batteries
- Repairs
- Earmolds
Of course, coverage can vary based on your insurance provider. Some plans, for instance, may require a copay or coinsurance while others may specify an amount that you can spend on the hearing aids.
What hearing loss services may be covered by Medicare Part B?
Diagnostic hearing exams. Medicare Part B can cover diagnostic hearing exams if your healthcare provider requests them to diagnose or evaluate certain symptoms you may be experiencing and to see if you need further medical treatment. In these cases, medicare.gov states that once you’ve met your Part B deductible, you will most likely pay:
- 20 percent of the approved charge, plus
- any copay for a hospital stay or outpatient service.
The actual amount you pay can depend on a number of factors, such as: how much your doctor charges, other insurance you may have, the facility where you get treated, etc., so it’s best to get an estimate for services upfront.
Cochlear implants. Medicare Part B covers prosthetics that can replace a body part or function. Cochlear implants, while not technically hearing aids, are indeed electronic devices that, through surgery, can restore or replicate sound in a severely damaged ear.
If you try hearing aids first and find they don’t help you hear any better, Medicare Part B can cover 80 percent of the cost of cochlear implants, if you qualify. However, for Medicare to pay for them, you’ll have to go to a Medicare-enrolled supplier. For more information, check out medicare.gov.
Need help? Our Guided Medicare team can help you understand your coverage and your options. Contact us today.
Source: Dental, Hearing, and Vision Costs and Coverage Among Medicare Beneficiaries in Traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage, KFF, Sept. 21, 2021
