Millions of Americans suffer from hearing loss. For adults 65 years of age or older, it can be an especially common problem. And therefore, many men and women knock on the doorsteps of their doctors with an ear for a different answer to their question: “Does Medicare cover hearing aids?” The short answer is, unfortunately, traditional Medicare will not generally cover hearing aids.
Still, some Medicare Advantage plans might be helpful in covering hearing aids. Here, I’m going to outline your choices to help you understand exactly what Medicare will cover and connect you with a local agent to help you select the best possible care for your hearing needs.
Does Medicare Pay for Hearing Aids?
Most seniors want to know whether Medicare pays for hearing aids. The short answer is no. While Medicare has its Parts A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance), coverage for hearing aids or the exams necessary to fit those devices is not there. However, the shock there can also come with sticker prices because a hearing aid can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000 per device.
Nevertheless, technological development in hearing aids presents hope that hope may not be totally lost after all. There are, for instance, some Medicare Advantage plans. Most simply called Part C, this program integrates all your covered services in one plan and includes extended benefits, including coverage for your brands of hearing aids, audiology exams, and fittings. Coverages, however, vary depending on the different plans.
Medicare coverage of hearing aids: What you should know:
While Medicare rarely covers traditional hearing aids, it is good to be aware that under Part B, your doctor or other provider will cover a diagnostic test if the determination that you have hearing and balance problems determines medically necessary care for you. Routine and standard hearing tests, hearing aids, or fittings, however, are typically excluded.
You will be covered for hearing aids under Medicare Part C or Medicare Advantage, but you would have to search individually as the plans vary widely. Some offer partial coverage of hearing aids or pay entirely for the equipment. You may get deductibles or copays even with these options and may only qualify for specific hearing aid models.
Sometimes, finding a local Medicare agent is very helpful in navigating through these different plan options. The Medicare agent is highly knowledgeable about these various Medicare plans and can help guide you to one of them that will offer you the best hearing aid coverage.
Why Doesn’t Traditional Medicare Pay for Hearing Aids?
Yet another barrier to accessing Medicare for deaf individuals is that Medicare does not cover the cost of hearing aids. In fact, this lack of coverage goes as far back as the original Medicare law passed in 1965. At the time, hearing aids were considered not to be a type of medical device, so they were excluded from the list of items covered by Medicare, similar to the current exclusion of dental care, which raises the focused question, Does Medicare cover dental?, when the law was signed into effect.
The choice also partially had to do with cost; actually, enrolling millions of Americans into Medicare health spending would be a significant increase. Indeed, there has been some discussion by Congress to reverse this situation. Still, yet, there is not much that has moved to this point, which leaves millions of seniors having to pay for hearing aids out of pocket unless those individuals have additional coverage through a Medicare Advantage plan or other supplemental insurance.
What Are My Options for Hearing Aid Coverage?
If you want hearing aids and traditional Medicare won’t cover them, then what do your options include?
Medicare Advantage Plans:
In other words, many Medicare Advantage plans provide coverage for some or all of the related costs of hearing aids. Private insurance companies offer these programs and, therefore, can be quite different in the level of benefit. If you consider hearing aid coverage to be highly important to your needs, be sure to ask your Medicare agent which programs are offered that include hearing care.
Medicaid:
If you are eligible for Medicaid, you may qualify to have hearing aids covered under your state’s Medicaid program. Every state has varying rules about Medicaid, so check with the local Medicaid office or a local Medicare agent to see what is available.
Veteran benefits:
If you are a veteran, the VA pays for your hearing aids. Usually, if you qualify for free or reduced-cost hearing aids, you are eligible for VA health care.
Private insurance:
A few private insurance plans include hearing aids as part of the benefit package, but this is not common. If you have private insurance, it is a good idea to check with your company to see if hearing aids are included in the plan.
Discount Programs and Charities:
Many organizations, including AARP and most hearing aid manufacturers, have discount programs that specifically cater to older adults who need hearing aids. Charities also exist that give free or low-cost hearing aids to those who meet specific requirements.
Will Hearing Aids be Added to Medicare Coverage?
Push is on Congress to make hearing aids a part of Medicare coverage. Millions of older Americans have hearing loss, which brings their quality of life down. With the growing demographic, this issue is gaining precedence. The Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act of 2017 was the first in this movement. This allowed the prescription requirement related to sales of hearing aids over the counter to adults whose levels of hearing loss were mild to moderate and, thus, more accessibly affordable.
This law is helpful in that it does not support older adults who need more advanced hearing aids. And how can hearing aid coverage be included in traditional Medicare? It is yet to be debated, and for now, it is out.
Where Can I Get a Medicare Agent to Assist With Coverage of Hearing Aids?
Medicare is such a comprehensive program. You just want to find specific coverage-maybe for hearing aids. The process may become relatively simple with local assistance from a Medicare agent. Specializing in Medicare plans, these agents can help make comparisons of local options, including alternative plans where hearing aid coverage may be included.
A Medicare agent can:
- Advise on Medicare Advantage plans that include hearing aid benefits.
- Can help you understand the cost of hearing aid coverage
- Can assist you in finding a plan that suits your budget and healthcare needs
- It can give information on other services, including dental and vision coverage.
When seeking a Medicare agent, seek one who knows and whom you can trust. Request family and friends for the names of good Medicare agents or find agents who have been very good, with good reviews, while assisting the elders in selecting the proper Medicare plan.
The Significance of Hearing Health for Older Adults
Although it’s seen as a nuisance, hearing loss can also impact general health and lifestyle. Untreated hearing loss has been associated with social isolation, depression, and even cognitive decline. Early treatment is always necessary, and proper treatment, like hearing aids, can potentially make a difference.
Conclusion
Medicare will not cover hearing aids, but there are means and ways you can get them to ensure you have brought them most affordably. You may look for a Medicare Advantage plan or Medicaid to make your hearing aids more affordable for you. Remember that it is essential to prioritize your hearing health.