Traditional Medicare (Parts A & B): no hearing aid coverage

Original Medicare — Parts A (hospital) and B (medical) — explicitly excludes hearing aids and routine hearing exams from coverage. This has been the case since Medicare was established in 1965 and has not changed despite repeated legislative efforts.

What Medicare Part B does cover:

• Diagnostic hearing exams ordered by a physician to diagnose a medical condition (not routine hearing tests)
• Cochlear implant surgery and related services (for qualifying severe-to-profound loss)
• Balance disorder evaluations

What Medicare does not cover:

• Hearing aids (any type, any price)
• Routine hearing exams (annual hearing tests)
• Hearing aid fittings and adjustments
• Hearing aid batteries and accessories

Medicare Advantage (Part C): coverage varies widely

Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) are private insurance plans that replace Original Medicare and are required to cover at least the same benefits. However, they are permitted — and increasingly incentivized — to offer additional benefits, including hearing aid coverage.

As of 2026, approximately 75% of Medicare Advantage plans include some hearing aid benefit. Coverage varies enormously:

• Basic coverage: $500–$1,000 allowance per ear (every 1–3 years) toward hearing aids from a network provider
• Mid-range coverage: $1,000–$2,000 per ear toward hearing aids
• Comprehensive coverage: $2,500–$3,000 per ear, sometimes with no network restriction

The average Medicare Advantage hearing benefit is approximately $1,500 per pair — meaningful but not sufficient to cover premium prescription hearing aids without out-of-pocket cost.

How to find out what your plan covers

1. Call the member services number on your Medicare Advantage card and ask specifically about hearing aid benefits
2. Ask: What is the allowance per ear? How often can I use the benefit? Are there network restrictions? Does the benefit cover OTC hearing aids?
3. Review your plan's Summary of Benefits document (available on the plan's website or by request)
4. Use Medicare's Plan Finder tool (medicare.gov) to compare hearing benefits across plans during open enrollment

Medicare Supplement (Medigap): no hearing aid coverage

Medicare Supplement plans (Medigap) fill gaps in Original Medicare coverage — copays, deductibles, and coinsurance. Because Original Medicare doesn't cover hearing aids, Medigap plans don't either. Medigap provides no hearing aid benefit.

Medicare Part D: no hearing aid coverage

Medicare Part D covers prescription drugs. Hearing aids are not drugs and are not covered under Part D.

Strategies to maximize Medicare hearing benefits

• Switch to a Medicare Advantage plan with strong hearing benefits: During open enrollment (October 15 – December 7), you can switch Medicare Advantage plans. Compare hearing benefits across available plans in your area.
• Use your benefit at Costco: Some Medicare Advantage plans allow you to use your hearing benefit at Costco Hearing Centers, where prices are significantly lower than traditional audiology practices. Your benefit goes further.
• Combine with FSA/HSA: If you have a Health Savings Account (HSA) from prior employment, you can use those funds to cover costs not covered by your Medicare Advantage benefit.
• Ask about OTC coverage: Some Medicare Advantage plans now cover OTC hearing aids. If your loss is mild-to-moderate, OTC coverage may provide a fully covered option.

The legislative landscape

Congress has repeatedly considered legislation to add hearing aid coverage to traditional Medicare. As of 2026, no such legislation has passed. The OTC hearing aid rule change (2022) was the most significant federal action affecting hearing aid access in recent years, but it did not affect Medicare coverage.

Advocacy organizations including the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) continue to push for Medicare hearing aid coverage. Monitoring this issue is worthwhile for anyone who may need hearing aids in the coming years.