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Insurance and Financial Assistance for Hearing Aids
If you're in the market for hearing aids, you will soon discover that they are rarely covered by medical insurance or Medicare. There are many avenues for financial assistance with the purchase of hearing aids but the opportunities can vary according to the individual.
In his study of trends in the hearing care industry, Kochkin surveyed 3,174 hearing aid users. As part of his survey, he asked about financial assistance for purchasing hearing aids. His results showed that third-party funding for hearing aids through insurance has increased from 24% in 1989 to 40% in 2008. While encouraging, this still means that a majority of individuals who purchase hearing aids have to pay them out of pocket.
The Fastest Way to Find If You Have Financial Assistance For Hearing Aids
When you’re ready to purchase hearing aids, you don’t want to waste time finding out if you qualify for monetary assistance. Based on the way most people are provided with financial support, we have put together a prioritized list below for to help you investigate your options.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
The VA is the single largest purchaser and provider of hearing aids in the United States. If you are a veteran or have a service connection, check with your local VA to see whether you qualify for hearing-related services, including the provision of hearing aids.
Coverage for Hearing Aids with Insurance
To determine if your health insurance covers hearing aids, check with your individual plan. Most plans have a toll-free number for member services listed on the insurance card. Even if you have it, insurance coverage for hearing aids varies in the way it is administered. Here are some real-life benefit types for hearing aids:
- A health plan may pay a specified amount toward the purchase of aids, like $500 or $1,000. This amount may be allowed toward the entire hearing aid purchase (whether one aid or two aids are purchased), or the amount may be allowed per ear. The benefit may renew after a given number of years, usually 3 to 5 years.
- A health plan may give you an allowance toward hearing aids if you purchase from a contracted provider. An allowance is a specified amount that is subtracted from the total purchase price. For example, if the cost of a pair of instruments is $4,000 and your health plan has a $1,500 allowance, your out-of-pocket cost would be $2,500. This benefit may also renew every few years.
- A health plan may have negotiated discounts with contracted providers. This means that you must purchase from a provider in order to get a specified discount (for example, 20%) off the retail price.
Currently, about 20 states mandate that health insurance companies provide full or partial hearing aid coverage for children. Unfortunately, only three states--Arkansas, New Hampshire and Rhode Island--currently mandate health insurance companies to provide hearing aid coverage for adults. Arkansas and Rhode Island require that health insurance companies provide a benefit that can be used every three years; New Hampshire requires that the benefit be available every five years.
State-mandated health care coverage for hearing aids will vary from state to state and several states have legislation about hearing aid coverage pending. If your state does mandate coverage, you will need to do a little research to find out about the amount covered and how often a claim can be made, as well as any other qualifiers for the coverage. Your hearing care professional can often provide some guidance as you search.
Medicare and Medicaid Coverage of Hearing Aids
Medicare does not usually cover annual hearing exams or hearing aids. You may have some options depending on the type of hearing loss and if you have a Medicare Advantage Plan.
Medicaid coverage for hearing aids varies by state and eligibility is subject to change. To determine if you are qualified for Medicaid coverage for hearing aid(s) and/or cochlear implants in your state, contact your hearing care provider. You can also contact your state’s Medicaid program. For telephone numbers and contact information for the Medicaid program in your state, visit www.medicaid.gov and select “Medicare/Medicaid.”
Charitable and Other Assistance Programs
There are many charitable groups that will provide new or used hearing aids at a discount if you meet the financial criteria. We have provided a list of national programs below, but this is not an exhaustive list of organizations. You may find other local and state programs online by searching for the name of your city or state and terms such as
- Hearing Aid Funding
- Hearing Aid Financial Assistance
- Hearing Aid Charity
- Hearing Aid Charitable
- Hearing Aid Assistance
State Vocational Rehabilitation Programs
If hearing aids are required for employment, your state vocational rehabilitation office may offer assistance to pay for hearing aids or educational opportunities to improve your skill set. Search online for “[your state] vocational rehabilitation program” to find what you need.
