Medicare Hearing Plans

Original Medicare will not cover hearing aids, fittings for hearing aids, or hearing exams. However, there are many other options for hearing coverage including hearing insurance plans, discount hearing plans and some Medicare Advantage Plans.

Does Medicare Cover Hearing?

Original Medicare Parts A and B do not cover hearing. This means that there is no Original Medicare coverage for things such hearing exams or hearing aides. Medicare beneficiaries are responsible for their own routine hearing care and procedures. There are additional coverage options to assist with hearing care for Medicare beneficiaries, such as hearing insurance, hearing discount plans, and included hearing benefits on some Medicare Advantage plans.

How Much Does Medicare Pay for a Hearing Test?

Generally, Original Medicare will not cover any cost for a routine hearing test, nor will it cover the cost of hearing aides. Someone with Original Medicare and no stand-alone hearing coverage or Medicare Advantage plan with hearing coverage will cover the cost of hearing services 100% on their own. 

How Do I Get Hearing Coverage with Medicare?

There are a few different ways in order to obtain hearing coverage when enrolled in Medicare:

  • Stand-alone hearing insurance plans (typically combined with dental and vision)
  • Hearing discount plans (typically combined with dental and vision)
  • Medicare Advantage plans with included hearing benefits

What does Original Medicare cover?

Original Medicare will not cover hearing aids, fittings for hearing aids, or annual hearing exams. However, Medicare Part B can cover diagnostic hearing tests and balance exams as long as they are for a medical need, such as hearing loss because of an illness or injury. 

If you have Original Medicare and receive a hearing exam that is considered medically necessary, you will still have a cost-share unless you are enrolled in something such as a Medicare Supplement, also known as a Medigap plan. These plans are designed to pick-up the costs not covered by Original Medicare on approved services.

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What Hearing Coverage Do Medicare Advantage Plans Include?

Certain hearing services can be covered by Medicare Advantage Plans, but make sure to ask your plan provider which services will be covered, for each plan may be different. It would be best if you also asked your hearing provider to confirm which plans are accepted.

Take note that the more coverage a plan offers, the higher your premiums, coinsurance, and copayments could be.

How Do I Get Hearing Coverage with Medicare?

Although Original Medicare does not provide routine hearing coverage, there are still options available to help with the cost of hearing services including hearing exams and hearing aides. If you remain with Original Medicare and a Medigap plan, typically you will look at two options for additional vision coverage:

  • Hearing Insurance: Hearing insurance plans are plans that enrollees pay a monthly premium toward for a certain specified benefit amount for the year. Typically, hearing insurance plans are in conjunction with dental and vision coverage. Some hearing plans may also have a deductible. 
  • Hearing Discount Plan: Hearing discount plans are typically paid as an annual fee, rather than a monthly premium. Typically, hearing discount plans are in conjunction with dental and vision plans. These plans work off of pre-negotiated rates with in-network providers, and do not provide reimbursement to the hearing provider’s office. Essentially, these plans offer discounted rates on hearing services. 

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Give us a call at 877-88KEITH (53484), an experienced agent will walk you through the different vision coverage options available to you.

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