Surprisingly, less than 15% of adults needing hearing aids actually use them, and it takes nearly nine years, on average, to purchase them after a diagnosis, according to a 2019 study. Kathleen Cameron from the National Council on Aging emphasizes that some older adults underestimate the impact of untreated hearing loss on overall health, viewing it as a normal part of aging.
Hearing exams and aids rank among the top five most postponed healthcare expenditures. A 2023 survey by the Senior Citizens League reveals that a quarter of respondents aged 65 and older delayed getting hearing exams and aids.
Medicare and Hearing Aids: Original Medicare (Parts A and B) doesn’t cover hearing aids or related exams. Medicare Part B covers diagnostic hearing and balance exams but not hearing aids.
Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) offer alternatives, with coverage varying by plan and state. Some plans cover hearing exams and aids, and from 2018 to 2020, the percentage of plans offering hearing benefits increased from 83% to 93%.
Medicaid and Hearing Aids: Dual-eligible individuals with both Medicare and Medicaid may have coverage for hearing aids, but specifics vary by state. Medicaid coverage details can be found in the Hearing Loss Association of America’s state-by-state guide.
Options for Hearing Aid Costs:
- Private health insurance may cover hearing tests and aids.
- Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and health savings accounts (HSAs) can offset costs.
- Some insurers like Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, and United Healthcare offer hearing aid benefits.
- Veterans Administration (VA) benefits may provide free or low-cost hearing aids for eligible veterans.
- Community-specific resources and charitable foundations, like the Miracle-Ear Foundation, offer assistance.
Alternative Options:
- Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids, created in 2017, aim to be more accessible and affordable for mild to moderate hearing loss without a prescription.
- Insurers may cover OTC options like Audien Atom Pro, Eargo, Go Hearing, MDHearing, and Otofonix.
When choosing hearing aids, consider factors like customer service, return policies, warranty coverage, and alternative options like OTC devices. Overall, addressing hearing loss promptly is crucial for overall health, even if Medicare doesn’t cover the cost of hearing aids.
Source: https://health.usnews.com/medicare/articles/does-medicare-cover-hearing-aids#expert-sources