Does Medicare Pay For Hearing Aids For Seniors

Plan Requirements And Coverage Specifications

Not all hearing aid brands may be covered under this plan. However, for those enrolled in UnitedHealthcare Hearing plans in 2020, the company offers name-brand and private-label hearing aids from a number of major manufacturers. The program has more than 5,000 hearing care affiliates across the country, and customer care specialists can help subscribers find a treatment center near them and understand their plan and coverage options, including which types of hearing aids and other devices are covered under their plan.

Other services include support for families to help them understand hearing decline, as well as education about improving and maintaining hearing health. Although pricing for each device can vary, some hearing aids are priced as low as $649, compared to industry averages of $2,000-$3,000.

Costco Hearing Aids Complaints

The majority of Costco Hearing Center and hearing aid reviews are mixed with many stores receiving positive reviews and ratings, but other stores having less than stellar ratings among customers. Customers who wrote reviews on ConsumerAffairs gave Costco Hearing Centers a cumulative score of just under three out of five stars. The majority of complaints revolve around store location, appointment times or trouble with some hearing aid models. The Better Business Bureau gives Costco Corporate an A+ rating.

How Much Are Hearing Aids

Hearing aids can range widely in cost depending on the type and the features involved, and, unfortunately, out-of-pocket costs can be high.;

One hearing aid option is a behind-the-ear variety; another is one that sits completely in the ear canal and is molded to fit the inside of your ear. Special hearing aid features, which can add to the cost, might include rechargeable batteries, wireless connectivity, wind noise reduction and even remote controls.

The price of just one hearing aid could be as much as $2,400, according to a 2015 report from the Presidents Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.9 Most people end up needing a hearing aid for each ear, which would bring your out-of-pocket cost to nearly $5,000.;

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How Does Original Medicare Cover Hearing Aids

In short, Original Medicare;doesnt cover hearing aids. Neither do most Medigap plans. You’ll likely have to pay out-of-pocket for hearing aids, fittings for the devices and routine hearing exams with this coverage.

While routine hearing exams aren’t covered, Original Medicare may cover more comprehensive exams when certain requirements are met. Medicare Part B provides 80% coverage for a diagnostic hearing and balance exam that your doctor or health care provider orders to see if you need medical treatment ;for example,;to determine appropriate surgical treatment of a hearing deficit.

»MORE:What is Medicare, and what does it cover?

If you are eligible for coverage, youll be responsible for 20% of the Medicare-approved cost of the exam, plus your deductible if you havent already met it. Additionally, if your hearing exam is done at a hospital, your hospital copay also applies. If you have a Medigap plan, it might cover these coinsurance costs.

Does Humana Cover Hearing Aids

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Humana covers part of the cost of hearing aids in some of its plans if a member has been diagnosed with hearing loss by a doctor. Without insurance, a pair of standard hearing aids can cost about $2,500 or more. For a cochlear implant, the price ranges from $30,000 to $50,000. Humana insurance plans that help pay for these devices can save members hundreds or thousands of dollars, so its important to know whats covered before considering hearing aid options.

Select Humana Medicare Advantage plans include access to TruHearing, a hearing aid benefit program that covers the co-pay for up to two hearing aid devices per year. The benefit also includes one annual routine hearing exam at no cost to the member. If the members plan includes this program, they can get a standard hearing aid for a $699 co-pay, or a premium hearing aid for a co-pay of $999. Humana Medicare Advantage plans that dont include TruHearing might still cover part of the cost of a hearing aid, however. Benefits typically include a $1,000 hearing aid allowance instead of a fixed co-pay.

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Is There Other Important Information About Medicare Advantage Plans Sometimes Called Part C Or Ma Plans That Are An All

They are offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. If you join a Medicare Advantage Plan, you still have Medicare. These bundled plans include Medicare Part A , Medicare Part B , and usually, Medicare prescription drug coverage .

Medicare pays a fixed amount for your care each month to companies offering Medicare Advantage plans, and these companies must follow rules set by Medicare. Each MA plan can charge different out-of-pocket costs.

Please be aware that even if you subscribe to a plan that claims to charge zero premiums, YOU still must pay your monthly Medicare premiums.

Dental Vision And Hearing Insurance For Seniors With Medicare

Home / FAQs / Medicare Coverage / Dental, Vision, and Hearing Insurance for Seniors with Medicare

Even with Medicare coverage, you will pay out of pocket for expenses like dentures, hearing aids, and eye exams for prescription glasses. Original Medicare does not include dental, vision, or hearing benefits. The good news is, there are affordable DVH plans available to all Medicare beneficiaries. Applying for these plans is easy, and your coverage could begin a few days after signing up.

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Hearing Aid Foundations May Offer Assistance

Some major hearing aid companies, like Miracle-Ear and Starkey, have established foundations to provide hearing aids to people who need them but may not be able to afford them. You can visit the Miracle-Ear Foundation and Starkey Hearing Foundation websites to fill out an application and see if you qualify for assistance from them.

How To Use Your Hearing Aid Benefit

Your hearing aid benefit is administered by Hearing Care Solutions , a national program with over 4,000 locations that simplifies hearing care by offering fixed, discounted prices on hearing aids. HCS will schedule a hearing exam for you and answer any questions you have about hearing aids and pricing.

• Step 1 Call HCS at 1-866-344-7756 , Mon.Fri., 8 a.m.8 p.m. to set up a hearing aid evaluation with a Hearing Care Solutions provider.
• Step 2 EvaluationAt your $0 hearing aid evaluation appointment, an audiologist will do a hearing exam and assessment. If hearing aids are needed, the audiologist will help you select the right ones from a variety of models. Copays range from $250 to $1,150 per hearing aid, depending on the models selected. HCS will contact you about payment before the hearing aids are delivered.
• Step 3 FittingAn appointment to fit your hearing aids will be scheduled with the audiologist. This appointment has a $0 copay. At this appointment, your audiologist will make sure your hearing aids fit properly and will also schedule a follow-up appointment to see how you are adjusting to the hearing aid. There is no copay for the follow-up appointment.
• Step 4 60 days to decideYou have 60 days to decide if you want to keep the hearing aids. If you keep the hearing aids after 60 days, HCS will send you a years supply of batteries.

If you have any questions, contact Hearing Care Solutions:

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What Is The Cost Of Hearing Aids

The cost of hearing aids depends on several factors, such as the type of hearing loss someone has, the quality of materials use in the hearing aid and the kind of technology used in the device.

At the lower end of the market, economical hearing aids can cost around $1500-$3000 per hearing aid, whereas premium models using sophisticated technology could cost as much as $6000 each. If you need one for each ear, the price will be considerably more.

When you buy hearing aids, the cost usually includes a hearing test, consultation, and the initial fitting. You’ll then return for follow-up appointments to adjust the hearing aids and customize them to your specific needs.

It’s important to factor in other associated costs. Hearing aids require maintenance, such as routine cleaning and replacement batteries. You should also consider how you would cover loss or accidental damage.

To find out more about your options and to compare plans available where you live that may cover hearing aids, call to speak with licensed insurance agent today.

Are There Any Exceptions To The Above Rules

The exception is for people who receive care through the Department of Veterans Affairs, as the VA covers hearing aids and other hearing care for eligible seniors and may help with costs. Veterans should contact their local VA for audiological services. Also, if you need further support, you may contact a local civil service organization that can help you find hearing assistance, such as Sertoma.

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How Do I Know If I Need Hearing Aids

Hearing loss can be gradual and subtle, so sometimes its hard to determine if its really gotten that bad. The best way to know if youd benefit from hearing aids is by having a hearing exam. Here are a few signs that it’s time to think about scheduling one.

• Everyone keeps telling you youve got the TV or the radio turned up too loud.

• Its hard to understand what people are saying when you cant see their faces.

• It often sounds like others are mumbling.

• Youre struggling to hear conversations in group settings like dinner gatherings or parties.

• Youre missing some of what the actors say in movies or at plays.

• You often have to ask others to repeat themselves.

• It can be hard to hear on the phone.

• Its become difficult to hear higher-pitched voices or sounds.

• You dont always hear the phone or doorbell ring.

To set up a hearing exam, contact your primary doctor or health care provider for more information or a referral, if necessary.

Hearing Services Medicare Covers

Original Medicare is composed of Part A and Part B . Medicare Part B covers some diagnostic hearing and balance exams but only if your doctor or another health care provider orders them to see if you need medical treatment. Medicare beneficiaries are responsible for paying 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount for these exams, and the Part B deductible applies. A hospital copayment is also required in hospital outpatient settings.

Unfortunately, Original Medicare does not cover routine hearing exams, hearing aids themselves or exams for fitting hearing aids. Medicare Supplement Insurance usually does not provide coverage for routine hearing care either. The cost of these services and devices must be paid for out of pocket. That is, unless a senior has a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers additional benefits.

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Alternative Options For Covering Hearing Aid Costs

If you are looking for an alternative method to cover hearing aid costs, there are a variety of options available.;

The Veterans Administration

If your hearing loss is related to a condition you were treated for at a VA hospital, or if your loss of hearing is linked to your military service, you may be eligible for hearing aids through the VA.

When Do You Know You Need A Hearing Aid

Obvious signs that you might need a hearing aid include:

• Trouble understanding group conversations.
• Feeling like people are always mumbling when they arent.6;
• Frequently asking people to repeat themselves, especially in noisy environments.;
• Nnot being able to hear well on the phone.
• Needing the television or radio volume set especially loud in order to understand.
• A ringing or hissing sound in your ears.

Normal hearing means you can hear sounds less than 25 decibels . If the softest sound you can hear is 30 decibels or louder, it may be time to consider getting a hearing aid.7

Its important to know that hearing aids dont make your hearing revert to normal. Instead, they help amplify sounds in certain pitch ranges, specifically the ranges in which youve experienced hearing loss. Its not uncommon to find that you need a hearing aid in both ears.;

Wearing a hearing aid in both ears often comes with benefits, including better understanding of speech when theres background noise and you may find that youre not as worn out at the end of the day.8

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What Else Should I Know About Medicare Advantage And Hearing Aid Coverage

When you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan with hearing aid coverage, you may have to pay a monthly premium in addition to your regular Part B premium. With many MA plans, you may be required to use a doctor or audiologist in the plans network in order to access benefits for your routine hearing services and hearing aids. You may also have a copayment or coinsurance amount. Some plans pay a percentage of your hearing aid costs, while others offer a set amount that can be applied toward the purchase of a hearing aid.

There may be an annual limit on the amount of money your plan will pay each year toward your routine hearing care and hearing aids. Its important to note that not all Medicare Advantage plans include these extra benefits for hearing aids and routine hearing care, and not all plans are available everywhere. Your premium may vary depending on where you live and the type of plan you choose.

Buyer Beware! According to one audiology professional, there are options from $0-$5000, and consumers have the right to make those choices. Get the information first; if they pressure youwalk out. All hearing aids should have a trial period.

More Resources For Seniors Who Need Hearing Aids

In addition to signing up for a Medicare Advantage plan, low-income seniors who qualify for Medicaid may be able to get hearing aid coverage through the Nevada Medicaid system. The Foundation for Sight and Sound and Lions Club International also help people with limited finances afford corrective hearing devices. For seniors who have served in the armed forces, financial assistance may be available through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

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Medicare Part B May Cover Diagnostic Hearing Exams

While Part B wont cover hearing aids, it will cover diagnostic hearing and balance exams if your doctor or other health care provider orders these tests to see if you need medical treatment for a recent injury or illness, such as vertigo or other balance problems.

If you do have an exam covered by Medicare, youll still have to pay the Part B deductible and 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount for the doctor’s services. If you have testing done in a hospital outpatient setting, you will also be responsible to pay a hospital copayment.

If your doctor recommends you get other hearing-related services Medicare doesnt cover, you may have to pay some or all the costs. Before you do anything, be sure to ask why your doctor is recommending certain services and whether Medicare will pay for them.

Medicare Coverage For Cochlear Implants

When deemed medically necessary,;Part B;of Medicare will cover;cochlear implants. These can also be paid for by Medicare Advantage plans. Those who have a Medigap;plan will likely pay the least amount out-of-pocket for;medically necessary;cochlear implants. Talk to your doctor about the cost of cochlear implants with your policy. Further, discuss the specific rules or criteria that may apply.

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What Is Not Covered

The following are not covered under the Coverage for Seniors program:

• claims for benefit expenses incurred prior to the effective date of coverage
• claims for benefit expenses received by Alberta Blue Cross more than 12 months after the service was provided
• services covered by the AHCIP
• charges for drugs supplied directly and charged for by a physician, with the exception of allergy serums
• registration, admission or user fees charged by a hospital
• drug products not listed in the Alberta Drug Benefit List ask your pharmacist or physician if your prescribed medication is on this list
• semi-private or private hospital room
• travel insurance for emergency hospital and medical expenses outside of the province or country

Medicare Advantage Plans May Cover Hearing Aids

Now, back to hearing aids. Original Medicare wont cover these often-important hearing health devices, but there are Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare supplement insurance plans that do. Additionally, many Medicare Advantage plans will also pay for routine hearing-related exams and services.

What specific hearing health services and items are covered will vary by plan, so be sure to look carefully at the plans available in your area and to ask how coverage and costs work.

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How To Pay For Hearing Aids

According to an 80+ year Harvard University study, the chief predictor of health and longevity is strong human relationships. When you cant hear well, you miss out on the conversation. Over time, you may avoid talking with others due to embarrassment. Hearing aids are essential to maintaining healthy interactions with family and friends and maintaining an active lifestyle. With recent technological improvements, hearing aids are almost invisible.

If youve been diagnosed with hearing loss and require hearing aids to improve your hearing, you may be wondering about the cost and if financial assistance is available. Below, weve listed some ways you can pay for a hearing aid.

How Much Do Hearing Aids Cost With Medicare

With Original Medicare, you are responsible for 100% of the costs for hearing aids and exams. The average out-of-pocket cost without insurance for a pair of hearing aids is around $2,500, but can range from several hundred dollars to several thousand. If you need hearing aids, there are other ancillary costs to consider as well, such as batteries and money spent for on-going fittings and adjustments.

With a MA plan that has hearing aid coverage, you will be responsible for either a copay for their in-network hearing aids, or you will be given a maximum allowance that goes toward paying for hearing aids. MA plans have set maximum out-of-pocket costs; however, your cost sharing expenses for hearing aids do NOT count toward this limit. When you are considering your healthcare budget, know that hearing aid expenses will be in addition to your potential out-of-pocket expenses for your medical care.

Hearing aid costs vary widely depending on the type and severity of hearing loss. Most often, hearing aid coverage that is available through MA plans is helpful, but limited in scope and choice of providers. Most MA plans offer some coverage versus comprehensive coverage for hearing benefits including hearing exams and hearing aid fittings, plus a limited number of hearing aid adjustments.

For examples of hearing aid costs through MA companies, see the comparison chart below.

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The majority of major insurers who offer Medicare Advantage plans have at least one plan that covers hearing aids. These insurers include Humana, Aetna and Blue Cross Blue Shield. However, some seniors may not be eligible for those plans, and the plans may have a higher premium than those that dont offer hearing aid coverage.

How Does Medicare Part B Cover Hearing Aids And Hearing Care

Medicare Part B may cover care for a hearing related medical condition or diagnostic hearing tests to help a doctor assess a hearing problem.

You may feel that hearing aids are medically necessary, but Medicare Part B does not cover most people’s cost. However, Part B does cover cochlear implants and bone-anchoring hearing aids because Medicare classifies them as prosthetic devices rather than hearing aids.

These hearing systems are surgically implanted devices that work differently than standard hearing aids. A BAHA is anchored to a bone in the skull. Rather than simply amplifying sound, it sends vibrations directly to the inner ear and bypasses the middle and outer ear. In comparison, a surgically placed cochlear implant stimulates the auditory nerve through electrodes.

These devices can help people with middle ear or ear canal problems that prevent sound waves from reaching the inner ear. For people with this hearing loss problem, traditional hearing aids may not work as effectively.;

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Which Medicare Plans Cover Hearing Aids

Medicare Advantage plans, as an alternative to Original Medicare, are administered by private insurance companies. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 88% of Medicare Advantage plans in the United States offer some hearing aid coverage.

Availability of MA plans varies depending on where you live. Some parts of the country have more options than others, but you should be able to find at least one plan in your area that helps with hearing aids. According to the Kaiser Family Foundations review of MA plans available in the United States in 2020, the three largest companies with MA plans were Humana, United HealthCare, and BCBS affiliates. There are other companies with MA plans that may be available in your area. These will come up for your review when you search for plans.

As an example, here is a comparison of HMO plans including the three largest companies and two others that are available in the Jefferson County, Denver, Colorado area. They all have $0 medical monthly premiums. You must stay in network, and prior authorizations and referrals may apply. Hearing aid benefit information is based on each plans 2021 EOC.

Does Medicare Cover Your Hearing Aids

Find out how to get the high cost of hearing aids covered by Medicare. Choose a Medicare Advantage plan that’s right for you.

Each Medicare plan and insurance product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team in conjunction with our partners at Medicare Expert USA. If you make a purchase using the links included, Health.com may be compensated.

If you’re one of the 48 million Americans struggling with hearing loss, you know it affects everything you do.

Unfortunately, a massive price tag is often associated with hearing aids. Read on to learn your options for Medicare coverage.

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Some Expert Tips For Finding Free Or Affordable Hearing Aids

Michelle Katz, LPN, MSN, author of Healthcare Made Easy and Healthcare for Less offers some additional tips for those seeking assistance obtaining free hearing aids:

• Make sure the physician or audiologist puts down the correct diagnosis. An incorrect or incomplete diagnosis can hold up or invalidate an application for financial aid.
• While private insurers rarely provide coverage for hearing aids, three states, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Arkansas require insurers to provide coverage for adults. Be sure to check your private insurance for coverage – especially if you live in one of the three “mandate” states.
• Some states include some coverage for hearing aids and related services, under their health insurance exchanges run under the Affordable Care Act.
• In addition, double-check on the Department of Health and Human Services since the ACA will be going through more changes and free hearing aids may be included.
• Organizations such as The National Institute on Deafness and the Better Hearing Institute are also helpful.