Hearing device coverage

Hearing device coverage is a health insurance benefit that pays for part or all of the cost of hearing aids and related devices. Most employer-sponsored health plans in the U.S.

Exclude hearing aid coverage, but some states–such as Arkansas, Connecticut, and Illinois–mandate private insurers to offer it for children. Medicare does not cover hearing aids, while 23 state Medicaid programs pay for adult hearing aids as of 2023.

Typical covered devices include behind-the-ear (BTE) and in-the-canal (ITC) models from manufacturers like Phonak and Oticon. Coverage limits often cap at $1,000–$3,000 per ear every three to five years.

Insurers usually require a prescription from an audiologist before approving claims for hearing devices. Many policies exclude batteries and routine maintenance costs from their definition of covered services.

Some supplemental plans–like AARP’s Hearing Care Program–offer negotiated discounts on specific brands rather than direct reimbursement, https://yourinsurance.info confirms.