Are Hearing Aids Covered by Insurance?

Whether or not your health insurance covers your hearing aids will depend on your carrier, plan and state. Those who have Original Medicare (Parts A and B) will not be able to get coverage for hearing aids, although Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C) do offer policies that cover hearing devices. Medicaid will only cover hearing aids if the patient is an adolescent.

Keep reading to see what hearing aids cost, which states require hearing device coverage and what the requirements are for eligibility.

How Much is a Hearing Aid Out-of-Pocket?

The cost of hearing aids is going to vary greatly depending on where you get them and the quality of the device. Cheaper hearing aids can be just under $5. Obviously, these will not last long and the quality won’t be particularly good. On the other end of the price spectrum, quality hearing aids can cost well over $5,000.

Hearing Aid Coverage

There are several states that have mandates requiring insurance carriers to offer coverage for hearing aids and related expenses.

States With Mandates For Children

Colorado

• Requirements - Coverage includes the initial hearing test, fittings, auditory training and adjustments to the hearing aids.
• Eligibility - Those under 18.
• Timeframe - Treatment is eligible for coverage every five years.

Citation: Colorado Rev. Stat. § 10-16-104

Delaware

• Requirements - Individual and group health plans are required to cover hearing aids.
• Eligibility - Dependents under the age of 24.
• Timeframe - Replacements are eligible for coverage every three years.
• Limits - Up to $1,000 per ear.

Citation: Delaware Code Ann. tit. 18 § 3357

Georgia

• Requirements - Providers are required to cover hearing aids.
• Eligibility - Those 18 years old and under.
• Timeframe - Replacements are eligible for coverage every two years.
• Limits - Up to $3,000 per ear.

Citation: Ga. Code Ann § 33-24-59.21

Kentucky

• Requirements - Insurance carriers must cover the cost of hearing aids and include assessments, selection and the fitting of hearing aids. Hearing aids must also be prescribed by an audiologist and given by an audiologist or other hearing specialist.
• Eligibility - Individuals under the age of 18.
• Timeframe - Treatment is eligible for coverage every three years.
• Limits - Up to $1,400.

Citation: Kentucky Rev. Stat. Ann. § 304.17A-132

Louisiana

• Requirements - Individual and group health plans are required to cover hearing aids. Coverage is also based on a referral from a licensed physician to an audiologist who then assess the need for hearing aids. The audiologist must be the one to give and fit the devices to the patient.
• Eligibility - Those under the age of 18.
• Timeframe - Replacements are eligible for coverage every three years.
• Limits - Limited to $1,400 per hearing aid.

Citation: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 22:1038

Maryland

• Requirements - Providers cover hearing aids.
• Eligibility - Those under the age of 18.
• Timeframe - Replacements are eligible for coverage every three years.
• Limits - Could be limited to $1,400 per ear.
• Additional cost - More expensive hearing aids can be purchased through insurance with the insured paying the difference.

Citation: Maryland Code § 15-838

The cost of hearing aids ranges from $5 to well over $5,000.

Massachusetts

• Requirements - Medically necessary hearing aids are required to be covered by certain health plans.
• Eligibility - For those 21 years old and younger.
• Timeframe - Replacements are eligible for coverage every three years.
• Limits - Up to $2,000 per ear.
• Additional cost - More expensive hearing aids can be purchased through insurance with the insurer paying the difference. 

Citation: Mass. Gen. Laws:

• ch. 32A § 23
• ch. 175 § 47U
• ch. 176A, § 8U
• ch. 176B, § 4U
• ch. 176G, § 4N 

Minnesota

• Requirements - Providers are required to cover hearing aids
• Eligibility - Those under the age of 18
• Timeframe - Replacements are eligible for coverage every three years
• Limits - No coinsurance, copayment, special deductible, or other limitation on the coverage.

Citation: Minnesota Stat. § 62Q.675

Missouri

• Requirements - Health insurance coverage must pay for infant hearing screening, necessary re-screenings, assessments (including follow-ups) and amplification.

Citation: Missouri Rev. Stat. § 376.1220

Montana

• Requirements - Providers are required to cover the assessment and treatment for hearing loss.
• Eligibility -  Individuals 18 years old and younger.
• Timeframe - Treatment is eligible for coverage every three years.

Citation: Mont. Code Ann. §33-22

New Jersey

• Requirements - Coverage is provided for those with medically necessary hearing aids through NJ FamilyCare and the State Health Benefits Program. Hearing aids must be prescribed by a licensed physician or audiologist.
• Eligibility - Children 15 years old or younger.
• Timeframe - Replacements are eligible for coverage every two years.
• Limits - $1,000 for each hearing aid.

Citation: New Jersey Stat. Ann. § 17:48-6gg; § 17:48A-7dd; § 17:48E-35.31; § 17B:26-2.1aa; § 17B:27-46.1gg; § 17B:27A-7.14; § 17B:27a-19.18; § 26:2J-4.32; § 52:14-17.29n; § 30:4J-12.2

Several states have mandates requiring insurance carriers to offer coverage for hearing aids and related expenses.

New Mexico

• Requirements - Providers must cover the cost of hearing aids. Coverage will also include fitting and earmolds for optimal fit.
• Eligibility - Those under the age of 18 or those under 21 who still attend high school

• Timeframe - Replacements, fitting and earmolds are eligible for coverage every three years.
• Limits - $2,200 per hearing aid.
• Additional cost - The insured can purchase more expensive hearing aids but will pay the difference.

Citation: New Mexico Stat. Ann.§ 13-7-10; § 59A-22-34.5; § 59A-23-7.8; § 59A-46-38.5; § 59A-47-37.1

North Carolina

• Requirements - Providers must cover hearing aids.
• Eligibility - Those under the age of 22.
• Timeframe - Replacements are eligible for coverage every three years.
• Limits - Up to $2,500 per ear.

Citation: North Carolina Gen. Stat. § 58-3-285

Oklahoma

• Requirements - Individual and group health insurance plans must cover hearing aids and audiological services. Requires prescription and dispensing of hearing aids be done by an audiologist.
• Eligibility - Those 18 years and younger.
• Timeframe -  Replacements are eligible for coverage every four years.

Citation: Oklahoma Stat. tit. 36 § 6060.7

Oregon

• Requirements - Coverage is required for hearing aids. A licensed physician must refer the patient to an audiologist who then prescribes, fits and gives the insured person the hearing aids.
• Eligibility - Those under the age of 18 and those over 18 who are listed as a dependent and attend an accredited school.
• Timeframe - Treatment is eligible for coverage every four years.
• Limits - Maximum benefit of $4,000.
• Additional cost - More expensive hearing aids may be purchased with the difference being covered by the insured.

Citation: Oregon Rev. Stat. § 743A.141

Tennessee

• Requirements - Individual and group health plans provide coverage for hearing aids.
• Eligibility - Those under the age of 18.
• Timeframe - Replacements are eligible for coverage every three years.
• Limits - $1,000 per hearing aid.
• Additional cost - More expensive hearing aids may be purchased with the difference being covered by the insured.

Citation: Tennessee Code Ann. § 56-7-2368

Texas

• Requirements - Providers must cover hearing aids/cochlear implants, supplies and related services.
• Eligibility - Those 18 years old and younger.
• Timeframe - Replacements for hearing aids are eligible for coverage every three years. Replacements for cochlear implants are eligible for coverage as necessary.

Citation: Tex. Ins. Code Ann. § 1367.251 [as created by H.B. 490 (2017)]

Wisconsin

• Requirements - Coverage is required for hearing aids, cochlear implants and related treatment and must be prescribed by a licensed physician or audiologist.
• Eligibility - Those under 18 years old.
• Timeframe - Treatment is eligible for coverage every three years.

Citation: Wisconsin Stat. § 609.86; § 632.895 (16)

Hearing aids are not considered an essential medical device—they are considered “elective" and are not covered in some states.

States With Mandates For Children and Adults

Arkansas

• Requirements - Group healthcare plans must provide coverage for hearing aids
• Eligibility - Everyone regardless of age.
• Timeframe - Replacements are eligible for coverage every three years.
• Limits - A minimum of $1,400 for each ear.

Citation: Arkansas Code Ann. § 23-79-1401

Connecticut

• Requirements - Individual and group health plans must cover hearing aids.
• Eligibility - People of all ages.
• Timeframe - Replacements are eligible for coverage every two years.
• Limits - As high as $1,000 per ear.

Citation: Connecticut Gen. Statute § 38a-490b and § 38a-516b. Bulletin HC-102

Illinois

• Requirements - Insurers must provide coverage for hearing aids.
• Timeframe - Every year or sooner if medically necessary.

Citation: 215 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/356z.29 (as created by HB 4516 (2018))

Maine

• Requirements - Health insurance providers must cover hearing aid.
• Eligibility - Age is not specified.
• Timeframe - Replacements are eligible for coverage every three years.
• Limits - Could be limited to $3,000 per ear.

Citation: Maine Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 24-A § 33-2762 as amended by LD 38.

New Hampshire

• Requirements - Providers must cover hearing aids.
• Timeframe - Replacements are eligible for coverage every five years.
• Limits - More expensive hearing aids may be purchased with the difference being covered by the insured.

Citation: New Hampshire Rev. Stat. Ann. § 415-6p and § 415:18-u

Rhode Island

• Requirements - Individual and group insurance must cover hearing aids.
• Timeframe - Replacements are eligible for coverage every three years.
• Limits - $1,500 per hearing aid every three years, for those under 19 years old. Everyone over 19 years old is covered up to $700 per hearing aid.

Citation: Rhode Island Gen. Laws § 27-18-60

Vermont

• Requirements - Providers must cover hearing aids and associated services.
• Eligibility - Covers all Vermonters.
• Timeframe - Treatment is eligible for coverage every three years or sooner if medically necessary.

Citation: 8 V.S.A. §40881 (as created by H. 266 [2022])

Some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans cover the costs of hearing aids.

Why Doesn’t Insurance Cover the Costs of Hearing Aids?

Hearing aids are not considered an essential medical device—they are considered “elective.” There are insurance companies that don’t cover hearing aids and related costs at all but some do. Hearing aids require replacements every five years or so, causing an additional expense for providers if there is coverage.

Will Insurance Cover the Costs of a Hearing Test?

Some insurance carriers will cover the cost of hearing aids and related services. Certain states have mandated coverage for hearing aids, usually providing coverage specifically for young people. Some states require insurance providers to offer coverage for adults as well.

What if I Have Medicare or Medicaid?

Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) will not cover the costs associated with hearing aids, including tests and the devices themselves. However, Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans can cover the costs of hearing aids depending on the policy you choose. Medicare Part C is offered by private insurance companies and combines Medicare Part A (hospital insurance), Part B (medical insurance), and usually Part D (prescription drug coverage).

Medicaid will cover the costs of hearing aids depending on your state’s requirements.

Key Takeaways Hearing aids can be cheap, costing as low as $5, while other hearing aids can cost as much as $5,000. Several states mandate that insurance providers offer coverage for hearing aids and related expenses for youth and adults. Health insurance companies don’t all cover hearing aids. Original Medicare will not cover the cost of hearing aids, though Medicare Advantage plans may provide coverage. Medicaid may cover hearing aids depending on your state’s requirements.

You shouldn’t have to go through life not being able to hear. Enter your zip code below or call 855.214.2291 to receive free health insurance quotes from agents in your area offering the lowest rates so you can get the hearing care you need.