Healthy hearing helps you stay active, safe, and connected to the people around you. Getting your hearing tested at the first signs of hearing difficulty can reduce the mental and physical health risks that accompany untreated hearing loss. If you have Medicare, you may be wondering whether it covers hearing aids and related services. The answer depends on your plan, and the following guide helps break it down.
Original Medicare does not cover hearing aids or fittings.
It does cover medically necessary cochlear implants and osseointegrated devices, as well as diagnostic hearing and balance exams ordered by a physician. Once a year, beneficiaries may see an audiologist for certain diagnostic tests without a physician order.
However, you may have coverage for hearing aids or fittings through a Medicare Advantage plan.
Medicare was created in 1965 as a federal health insurance program that provides coverage for individuals aged 65 years or older and individuals with disabilities.
Today, Medicare consists of four parts:
Original Medicare (Parts A & B) was intended to cover only high-cost health care, such as hospital stays, doctor visits, and acute medical care. For this reason, Original Medicare excluded dental, vision, and hearing care, including coverage for hearing aids and fittings.
Medicare Advantage (Part C) was established in 1997 as an all-in-one health insurance alternative to Original Medicare, offered by private companies approved by the government. It covers all services provided by Original Medicare Part A, such as hospital stays and doctor visits, and often adds a bundled dental, vision, and hearing benefit.
Approximately 97% of Medicare Advantage plans now offer some type of hearing benefit, although specific coverage and what you pay out of pocket depends on the plan.
To review plan details, read your Evidence of Coverage (EOC) or Summary of Benefits booklet sent by your plan. Look under the section for routine dental, vision, and hearing.
Alternatively, you can call customer service by dialing the phone number listed on the back of your member ID card. Ask a representative directly if your specific policy includes routine exams, fittings, or a hearing aid allowance.
Medicare’s open enrollment period runs every year from October 15 through December 7.
During this time, you can switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, change Medicare Advantage plans, or join, switch, and drop Part D prescription drug plans. Changes made during this window start on January 1 of the next year.
You can search and compare 2027 health and drug coverage options directly through the Official Medicare Plan Finder.
This FAQ is intended to help you start thinking about your current health plan to understand what hearing health benefits may be available to you, including hearing exams and hearing aid coverage. For more specific guidance, contact the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) or your specific health plan experts directly.
To find a licensed hearing care professional in your area, learn more about hearing health, get to know today’s hearing aids, or take an online hearing screening, visit Hearing.org.
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