Many people considering the purchase of hearing aids often ask why their medical insurance does not cover hearing aids. I think it is a matter of time before most insurance programs will provide some form of coverage for hearing aids since hearing aids are a medical necessity. Before you rule out insurance coverage for hearing aids, be sure to check with your insurance provider what is covered with respect to hearing healthcare. Here is the current status of insurance coverage for hearing aids in America.....

Many corporations which would include your hearing health provider or union may offer financial assistance for hearing aids or audiological services either through reimbursement or as part of a hearing healthcare agreement entitling you to a discount on hearing aids from local hearing healthcare professionals.

Private insurance coverage for hearing aid treatment is very limited for adults nationwide, although insurance mandates for children have been enacted in 12 states (CT, CO, DE, KY, LA, ME, MD, MN, MO, NJ, NM, OK).  Only Rhode Island mandates that insurance policies cover hearing aids for adults as well as children, although the minimum benefit for children is significantly higher than the minimum benefit for adults. 

At the federal level, at least eleven insurance plans offered to federal employees through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) include coverage for hearing aids as of January 1, 2009.  Children were covered through FEHBP plans as of January 1, 2008.  All of the FEHBP plans, and all of the state mandates, provide minimum benefit amounts that must be covered towards hearing aid treatment, and allow the person to select any hearing aid that best suits their needs and pay the difference out of pocket.   These plans all include restrictions on how many years must pass between coverage claims.