Medicare doesn't cover hearing aids or tests to adjust hearing aids. You pay 100% of the cost of hearing aids and tests. Medicare is a federal health insurance program that covers people age 65 and older, as well as young people with disabilities or serious illnesses. However, Medicare doesn't cover all of the costs of medical services, making the rules more complicated.
There are several factors that affect coverage, so it's imperative that you consider the different types of coverage available. Medicare makes this very clear on its website. As they explain, Medicare doesn't cover hearing aids or tests to adjust hearing aids. You pay 100% for hearing aids and tests.
Some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans offer additional benefits that original Medicare doesn't cover, such as vision, hearing or dental services. Contact the plan for more information. In some cases, yes, but only if recommended by your primary care doctor or other doctor. In other words, you can't go to a hearing clinic without a referral and expect Medicare to pay for it.
This plan is a healthcare option managed by a private insurance company under contract with Medicare. The Advantage plan generally includes coverage for all parts of Medicare. In some cases, the private insurer may pay for hearing tests. You should check with your plan provider if you have Part C coverage.
If you also have supplemental coverage not related to Part C, you should check again with your provider. Do you need a hearing test but aren't sure which clinic to choose? Medicare only covers medical conditions related to the ears, not routine hearing care, hearing aids, or tests to adjust hearing aids. For example, Humana, Aetna and Blue Cross Blue Shield offer at least one Medicare Advantage plan with coverage for hearing aids. Medicare Part B covers part of the cost of a diagnostic hearing and balance exam if your doctor requests it to determine if you need medical treatment.
Start by researching charitable foundations such as Hearing Aid Project or Miracle-Ear Foundation to find out if you qualify, and contact local Lions clubs and the local agency on aging. You may also have other options to help pay for hearing aids, such as private health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, or Veterans Administration benefits. Also, little was understood how important it is to treat hearing loss to reduce depression and social isolation. If you have hearing loss and need hearing care services, you may have to pay significant bills on your own.
Another option for married seniors is to check their spouse's private health insurance policy (if they have one) to see if it covers hearing aids. Unfortunately, when it comes to eye, teeth and hearing care, traditional Medicare doesn't offer much coverage for older adults. As explained in this clinical review, the Medicare Act of 1965 legally excluded coverage for hearing aids on the premise that “they were routinely needed and at a low cost,” suggesting that consumers would be responsible for their purchase. Since Medicare doesn't cover hearing aids, you're probably wondering how much you'll have to shell out for the devices.
Because Medicare Advantage plans can offer a wide range of hearing coverage, it's important to compare all the plan options available in your area. More than a quarter of adults age 65 and older have hearing difficulties, and much of the hearing loss is treatable. However, Medicare parts A and B do cover hearing tests for diagnostic purposes, as long as you have a referral from your doctor. If hearing loss affects your ability to work, you can also apply for Social Security disability benefits.
As a practicing audiologist since the 1990s, Brad Ingrao, AuD has installed thousands of hearing aids for seniors and people of all ages. Some plans may include over-the-counter hearing aids as part of their over-the-counter supplemental benefits, which cover medications and other items from the pharmacy. .
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