With open enrollment in full swing, patients often ask me if insurance covers the cost of hearing aids. Medicare does not cover hearing aids under any circumstances. While the discussion of covering hearing aids, glasses, and teeth has been happening in Washington, Medicare does not have the funding at this time to cover those items. Perhaps in the future!
Some retirement plans have hearing aids as a covered benefit. For instance, United Auto Workers, MIchigan retired school workers, and Federal Employee plans have coverage available. If you have retirement benefits from your employer, it would be a great idea to reach out and see if hearing aids are included.
Medicare Advantage Plans typically offer something hearing aid related. Some plans have a benefit, while others offer “discount pricing” on hearing aids. Please be very wary of discount pricing, as it is often NOT a great deal. We recommend reaching out to our office before calling your insurance company regarding discount pricing, as our pricing is often better than theirs. We also have better priced budget options that will easily compete with the Over-The-Counter pricing I have been seeing online.
Lastly, you should choose your insurance for the medical coverage, not the hearing aid benefit. The cost of hearing aids could be a drop in the bucket compared to what you will pay if you do not have good medical coverage!
Gardner Audiology in Tampa Bay has a full-time insurance consultant that can answer all your questions about hearing aid coverage. Text info@gardneraudiology.com or call 1-800-277-1182.
