In 2023, many insurance companies provide partial hearing aid coverage.
The average price of hearing aids is around $2,500 per device. While you can find options for under $1,000, the expense may still burn a hole in your pocket. While insurance coverage is still limited for hearing aids, a recent HearingGifts reader survey revealed that one in four Americans have access to some degree of financial savings through their medical insurer—and that number is higher if you include other forms of financial assistance like workers’ comp and charities.
In this article, we’ll help you figure out whether your insurance might cover hearing aids, and—using the data collected in our reader survey—how much money you stand to save. We’ll also provide a list of discounts and support programs that might help if your insurance company or specific policy does not provide a benefit for hearing aids.
Will insurance cover the cost of hearing aids?
Maybe. This all depends on your insurance policy. Some insurance companies may help cover the cost of hearing aids, while others (including Medicare) offer no assistance whatsoever. Policies are often region-specific, so the only real way to know whether you have coverage is to check your plan coverage details or call your insurance company and ask for details.
Coverage by state
Although almost 20 states mandate insurance coverage of hearing aids for children, there are only six states that mandate coverage for adults. If you live in one of those states, count yourself lucky!
- Arkansas - $1,400 per hearing aid every 3 years
- Connecticut - $1,000 every 24 months
- Illinois - $2,500 per hearing aid every 24 months
- New Hampshire - $1,500 per aid every 60 months
- Rhode Island - $700 per aid every 3 years
- Washington state - $3,000 per aid every 3 years
If you live in one of those states, double-check with your insurance as some plans are exempt from state-mandated hearing aid insurance benefits.
If you don’t live in one of these five states, you may still have some form of coverage. To be sure, please check with your insurance company. For a full list of state coverage rules for adults and kids, see this hearing aid insurance guide.
Hearing aid coverage reader survey
Together with the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA), HearingGifts recently asked ~2000 hearing aid consumers how much they paid for their hearing aids, and whether their medical insurance helped to cover some or all of the cost. Sadly, our results showed that only 1 in 4 people had help paying for their hearing aids, with fewer than 1 in 20 receiving full coverage from their insurance company.
A silver lining
Our results suggest that more people than ever are receiving help from their medical insurers. Data gathered in 2008 showed that only 13% received help from their medical insurance (or HMO) when paying for hearing aids; Hearing Gifts’s survey suggests 25% are now receiving some level of coverage. If our numbers are correct, this would indicate a doubling of the number of insured in the past decade.
How much of the cost is covered?
In our survey we asked participants “How much of the cost of your hearing aids did your insurance cover (in US dollars)?” The average consumer (with some form of insurance coverage) reported receiving $1,257 in coverage per hearing aid from their insurance company. Those with full coverage predictably reported greater numbers than did those with partial coverage:
Common Forms of Insurance Coverage for Hearing Aids
Although, as we detail below, Medicare expressly excludes hearing aids from its healthcare coverage, there are several other government and private insurance programs that do provide support for some individuals.
Medicare
Medicare doesn’t cover hearing aids or fees related to the fitting of hearing aids. However, Medicare Part B covers up to 80% of diagnostic hearing and balance exams if ordered by a doctor or other health care provider, and after you meet the Part B deductible. If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan (aka, Part C), it might include coverage for hearing aids and hearing-related exams and services, so check with your insurance provider.
Legislators have made several attempts to include hearing aid benefits in Medicare, the most recent being in 2021. In the event Medicare eventually does provide hearing aid coverage, it will most likely be similar to a Medicare Advantage Plan, available to “individuals diagnosed with moderately severe, severe, or profound hearing loss.”
Note that, in certain cases, hearing aids can be used as an itemized deduction and Medicare premiums can be tax deductible depending on who is paying, who is covered, and if your medical expenses exceed a certain amount (currently 7.5%) of your gross adjusted income for the year. Check with your accountant or a tax consultant for details.
Medicaid
Medicaid coverage of hearing aids for eligible adults varies by state. Many states cover hearing exams, diagnostic testing, hearing therapy, hearing aids, hearing aid fitting, hearing item repairs, and more, though limitations may apply. Since reimbursement rates are low, you might not have access to the highest technology level. HLAA has compiled a detailed overview of Medicaid coverage.
Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans enrolled in Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare qualify for diagnostic audiology and clinically-justified hearing aids. Hearing aids, repairs, and batteries will remain free of charge for the duration of your VA healthcare eligibility. Before scheduling an appointment for an evaluation of your hearing, you must register with a VA Medical Center of your choice.
TRICARE
As an active duty service member with TRICARE insurance, you and your family enjoy coverage of hearing aid services and hearing aids for profound hearing loss.
Retired service members and their families don’t qualify for coverage under TRICARE, but may have access to the retiree-at-cost hearing aid program (RACHAP).
Workers’ Compensation
If your hearing loss is a direct result of your job, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation. Coverage varies by state and some employers are exempt from having to register for this insurance. For those who qualify, workers’ compensation will cover medical costs for hearing loss, including hearing aids, services, and accessories.
Keep in mind that you have to file a claim soon after the hearing loss occurred and before you purchase hearing aids. Your employer should provide you with the paperwork needed to file a claim with the state. Alternatively, you can consult your state’s workers’ compensation officials.
Commercial or private insurance
Insurance provided by your employer or retiree benefits may include coverage for hearing aids. Typically, you need to meet a deductible, contribute a co-pay, and cover costs that exceed the maximum amount of your plan’s benefits. If you have a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan, you have access to out-of-network benefits, meaning you can choose a hearing health provider outside of your insurance’s network. For details, call your insurance provider.
Note that some insurances, including BlueCross BlueShield, Humana, and VSP, work with third-party administrators (TPAs) like TruHearing to provide discounted hearing healthcare benefits. Your insurance will let you know if that’s the case.
How much do insurance companies typically pay?
We found most of the major hearing aid companies to be in the same ballpark with coverage somewhere around $1000 per hearing aid. Please remember that the dollar figures below represent recollections and guesses of hearing aid consumers, and may not accurately depict differences among companies. Again, please check with your own insurance company to see what is covered by your specific policy!
| Insurance Company | Coverage per hearing aid | # of responses |
|---|---|---|
| BCBS* Association | $1,205.27 | 134 |
| UnitedHealth Group | $1,363.64 | 97 |
| Anthem BCBS* | $1,408.72 | 54 |
| Aetna | $1,160.29 | 37 |
| Cigna | $1,231.62 | 23 |
| Kaiser Permanente | $1,004.05 | 16 |
| Humana | $821.88 | 9 |
| Other | $1,305.09 | 136 |
*BlueCross and BlueShield
Many insurance plans offer specific hearing care coverage. Here’s an overview of some select plans.
Aetna
Most Aetna benefit plans exclude coverage of hearing aids, according to the company, although you should consult your plan brochure for details. For plans that do not exclude hearing aids, either OTC and prescription hearing aids are eligible for coverage if they are cleared by the FDA and prescribed by a qualified healthcare provider and criteria for medical necessity are met.
BlueCross BlueShield
Blue365 members can save 30% to 60% on hearing aids with TruHearing. You can combine this deal with the hearing aid allowance in your insurance coverage.
CareFirst
CareFirst members may qualify for partial hearing aid coverage of up to $1,000 or more.
The following plans may offer this benefit:
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield PPO
- CareFirest HDHP
- BlueChoice HMO
As an example, Johns Hopkins University supplies this sample medical plan coverage comparison chart for faculty and staff. Contact CareFirst to verify your individual coverage.
Cigna
Cigna’s coverage for hearing aid devices varies across plans. You’ll need to refer to the benefit plan document for coverage details.
Delta Dental and EyeMed
Both of these insurance plans may give you access to hearing aids through Amplifon. This hearing aid discount network provides average savings of up to 64% on leading brands. You can check your benefit with Amplifon or your insurance provider.
Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB)
If you’re enrolled in the FEHB program, your benefits may include coverage for hearing aids. Check your plan brochure for details.
Government Employees Health Association (GEHA)
This insurance provider for federal employees, federal retirees, military retirees, and their families offers low out-of-pocket costs on hearing aids. GEHA members have access to Connection Hearing, TruHearing’s hearing aid discount program, which offers a 30% to 60% discount on hearing aids. Depending on your plan, GEHA pays up to $2,500 per hearing aid pair, meaning some hearing aids will be free of charge to you.
Humana
Since 2017, Humana has offered hearing aids through TruHearing in select states and plans for a copay. Other members can access coverage through alternative companies but typically have a limited hearing aid allowance rather than a fixed copay.
Kaiser Permanente
Some individual and employer-sponsored Kaiser Permanente plans include hearing aid coverage. If you can add the Kaiser Advantage Plus program to your plan, an additional monthly premium will give you access to added benefits, including hearing. Availability and type of coverage varies by location.
UnitedHealthcare
Many UnitedHealthcare plans cover hearing aids through its UnitedHealthcare Hearing program. Its Right2You virtual care and direct delivery program offer Relate and Phonak hearing aids, and its in-person care coverage offer Relate and industry-leading brands. If your plan covers hearing aids, you may receive a discount of 50-80% on the device itself, with the discount depending on your policy and the hearing aid brand.
Find out if your insurance covers hearing aids
Before you call your insurance to check your coverage, have your insurance plan name, policy number or health plan ID, and your member ID ready. Then address the following points:
- Your health plan benefits for hearing aids.
- Criteria for coverage: This may include degree of hearing loss or types of hearing aids.
- Hearing aid models and technology levels available to you.
- Use of out-of-network providers: You might only have access to in-network providers. In that case, ask for a list of providers in your area.
- Payment and billing options: Ideally, your provider will bill your insurance directly, but you may have to pay upfront and get reimbursed.
Discounts, charities, and state programs
When you don’t have access to insurance coverage to address your hearing loss, look into the following programs:
- AARP Hearing Care Program: This interest group, formerly for retired people, offers a hearing care program provided by HearUSA. AARP members have access to a 20% discount on digital hearing aids, extended warranty, free batteries, and follow-up care. The program is available at participating hearing centers only. AARP membership plans start at $12 per year.
- AFGE: The American Federation of Government Employees, a labor union, offers a free hearing care program to its members. Benefits include a free hearing exam and up to 40% savings at your local hearing provider.
- Help America Hear: Provides financial assistance to people with auditory impairments.
- HLAA: A membership with the Hearing Loss Association of America will give you access to discounted hearing aids through iDEAL and Start Hearing. Annual membership plans start at $45 for individuals.
- LifeMart: This employee discount program, provided by employers in collaboration with LifeCare, can give you significant savings on hearing care and hearing aids. Check with your employer whether your company offers access to LifeMart.
- Miracle-Ear Foundation: Offers free hearing aids and support services to eligible low-income individuals and families.
- National Hearing Aid Project: Created by Hearing Charities of America (HCOA), this program provides hearing aids to low-income indivudals.
- Travelers Protective Association: The TPA Hearing Trust provides financial aid to eligible US citizens who suffer deafness or hearing impairment.
- Vocational Rehabilitation: State-run programs that offer support to people who need a hearing device to do their job or find employment. This may include the purchase of hearing aids or other communication devices.
Another good resource for financial assistance (in a PDF file) is offered by the Hearing Industries Association. If you’re still left with the bill, remember that you can offset a portion of the cost for hearing aids from your taxes.
Financing and other options for obtaining hearing aids
One often-overlooked option for obtaining hearing aids is through financing your purchase. This can include:
- A healthcare credit card from a company like CareCredit can help pay for hearing aids and other health-related products and services
- Credit cards from your bank allow you to pay off purchases over time, sometimes with extended periods of zero interest
- Buy now, pay later loan apps that offer installment-plan payments over time can be used to purchase hearing aids
Other potential ways to defray the cost of your hearings aids:
- Over-the-counter hearing aids are now available for $300-$1500
- Big box stores like Costco and Sam's Club offer professionally dispensed hearing aids at substantial discounts
- Subscription hearing aids allow you to obtain hearing aids with monthly payments
- Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) save money by using pre-tax dollars to pay for your hearing aids and other health expenses
)
Founder and President
Dr. Bailey is a leading expert on consumer technology in the audiology industry. He is a staunch advocate for patient-centered hearing care and audiological best practices, and welcomes any technological innovation that improves access to quality hearing outcomes. Dr. Bailey holds an Au.D. from Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Coventry (Aetna) claims to cover $500/ear but in fact requires us of a specific provider which anyone can use and whose prices are matched by at least two other discount providers via the internet. Coventry (Aetna) representative claims there is no form available to claim the benifit if you use a different provider.
What that is a provider of Hearing Aids going to the insurance company and giving them a "discount". You will not see the discount in your pocket.
So, they charge you $4,500 for a pair of hearing aids.. "discount" of $1,000 and you end up paying $3,500.. the insurance company does not put out any money at all.
Truhearing is one of those programs and they have really cheap quality HA. A lot of states are using their service because it is NO money out for them.
It is really sad when you can find much better hearing aids at some affordable hearing store or via internet.
I believe Humana insurance in some states offers ? a co payment starting at $699 per Hearing aid thru True Hearing Aid
So that means you have to pay a minimun of $1,400 to True Hearing for a pair of Hearing aids and I have no idea what quality the aids are
The $699 TruHearing aid through Humana is the same as the Signia NX 5, you can also get it in the slim-ric form factor which is similar to the Signia Styletto. Pretty sure the $999 is the Signia NX 7. They just white label branded aids for their private label line. The NX 7 is the Signia flagship, so generally very good aids.
I think Costco's private label was on the same platform sometime in the last 3 years.
Only knock on the private labels is their app is a reskin of the regular app, there may be some lost features in the cross-over. Can't speak to other
We recently published an article all about TruHearing, including what brands and models they work with. Check it out.
Durable medical equipment is any medical equipment used in the home to aid in a better quality of living. It is a benefit included in most insurances. ... Hearing Aids would be considered "Durable Medical Equipment but...most insurance companies, nor medicare covers hearing aids.
Hi. I did the calculations with my Medicare Advantage program (a low-cost one) and Costco still came out ahead.
I'm curious, would Medicare insurance pay for used or demo HA's that my private audi would have?
ThanksI wanted to share my experience with insurance companies trying to AVOID paying even when the benefit is clear.
I have purchased three sets of hearing aids through insurance in 2012 (Cigna), 2015 (Aetna), and 2018 (Aetna). Each time the allowance was $2500 per ear every three years, and I had met my out of pocket maximum. Cigna repeatedly rejected the claim, claiming that my audiologist was out of network when she was not. It took months of appeals until they finally covered it only when I got someone from my husband's company to intervene. In 2015, Aetna covered approximately half the cost of the hearing aids, claiming that the cost was too high, which is absurd considering I was supposed to have $2500 per ear. I appealed twice and they finally covered the cost only when HR got involved. Then 18 months later, they audited the claim and asked for their money BACK. Again, HR got involved and it was settled. This time around, Aetna rejected the claim saying the audiologist was out of network. When I called, they resubmitted it, then covered about $250 per hearing aid. Again, HR got involved and the claim was reprocessed correctly. My point is, it's important to know that just because insurance offers the benefit, doesn't mean they honor it. I had to FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT each time and document EVERYTHING. I am lucky that my husband's company is large enough to have some clout, but it's really transparent that insurance is doing everything they can to avoid paying.
It is such a disability! Try dealing with hospitals, doctors and nurses, for two sick family members with one of your hearing aids out of commission! Very stressful and costly, to add insult to injury, When a hearing aid is out of warranty I must pay a $300 charge to repair it, including only a six month warranty. Those of us who suffer severe hearing loss are subjected to high costs to be able to function, when glasses, and other, sometimes questionable, disabilities are completely covered, often by the government.
I would love to upgrade to a high tech blue tooth model, but would be extremely expensive.
I have had the Starkey in the canal aids for 4 years. It was the only brand the audiologist sold. Very expensive because each thing was extra, such as hating in crowded places, or listening to music, etc. I have not been happy with them. I am due for new aids. I’ve looked at the “deals” but I don’t know what “private paid customers only” means.
Good suggestion
Reading all of the comments as I go on a “search” for hearing aids. Was recently tested and need two :( Am on a fixed income and while I will be price shopping, I don’t want to shortchange myself either. Any specific questions I need to ask? Is Costco a reliable resource?
Thanks for your input. Think I’m still in price sticker shock!
I have United Health Medicare PPO in Florida. They contract with Epic Hearing. Per my benefit description my copayment is "$400-$2025 copayment for each hearing aid device."
Clearly the higher copay is for the better devices. I called Epic they do in fact cover Signia Silk Nx and Phonak Virto B .
So with a $2,025 copay i am looking at $4050 for 2 aids.
Where is my savings?? I can get same devices for same or lower prices locally. in fact Hearing Gifts currently advertises Signia Silk NX7 for $3,990 including real ear measuremet by Aud. and 3 years of follow up visits.along with 3 yr warranty.
Similar advertisement for the Virto B, right at 4K.
The audiology practice advertised is 20 minutes from my home !!
I just see no point of using my insurance.
In November of 2018, I turned 65 years old and called my health insurance company, Gateway Health. They now cover me for $1,500 for two hearing aids every two years. I've been looking to find hearing aids that accommodate that coverage, but keep finding only the expensive pairs that accept insurance...the cheaper ones don't.
It seems to me that the hearing aid providers have decided that I should pay something to them out of my pocket to alleviate my hearing loss. Why?
My Audiologist is offering a lease program for hearing aids. Not sure how this coordinates with my insurance benefits through BCBS Federal. The Dr. was kind of sketchy about it, it had me concerned, I don't want to end up not being able to use my $2500 benefit. BCBS person sounded vague and not sure if leasing was covered, put me on hold to research it, said something about hearing aids being "durable medical equipment"-??? and only covers rental or purchase of that equipment, not leasing. I didn't know aids were durable medical equipment. I thought DME was things like wheel chairs or rental of hospital beds, etc. Any one know?
Will your isurance company just give you the $2,500 if you buy a pair of Hearin Aids at Costco that cost $2,500 (I think several braands do cost that at Costco)
Or call Costco and ask the about your insurance or ask them if any of their customers have your insurance and how the customer can get reimbursement
I think Costco has some conveluted insurance reimbursement system that I do not understand
Ask Costco to explain what they know about your insurance re inbursment and then tell us on this blog
Also call your insurance company and tell them you do not fully understand their reimbursment policy and tell them you want to buy your Hearing Aids at Costco and can you do it on your Plan??
I was told Costco does not accept insurance.
Illinois only mandates hearing aids for persons 18 and under.
According to ASHA website: House Bill 3503 requires “coverage for hearing instruments and related services for all individuals 65 years of age and older when a hearing care professional prescribes a hearing instrument.”