Medicare
Hearing Coverage
Your hearing is a valuable tool, and regular hearing-related healthcare can be critical. Make sure you’re informed about which hearing services are covered by your Medicare plan and how you can find more benefits if you need them.
Original Medicare Hearing Coverage
Medicare Part A: Part A is hospital coverage, so it won’t cover your regular exams, hearing aids, or other related treatment. Certain hearing or ear related injuries or conditions requiring surgery or hospitalization might be covered. Medicare.gov is always the best resource for checking if a specific service is covered by Original Medicare.
Medicare Part B: Part B covers diagnostic hearing tests to help beneficiaries determine whether their hearing problem requires hearing aids or some other form of treatment, such as solutions for dislodging wax buildup or treating an ear infection that could be dampening your hearing.
You’ll need your doctor to recommend a hearing test and balance examination in order for Medicare to help cover the cost. If approved, you’d only be responsible for 20 percent of the cost of the test and for the associated deductible. There are other variables that could come into play to increase or decrease your expenses for a hearing exam. These might include doctor fees, the type of medical facility that does the tests and other factors.
Medicare Advantage (Part C) Plans
Some Medicare Advantage plans offer additional hearing benefits beyond Original Medicare, such as coverage for regular hearing exams, hearing aids, and more. The depth and cost of the coverage will vary by plan. Some Medicare Advantage plans offer $0 premiums, which may allow you to access more benefits without paying an additional premium, just your Part B premium.
You can use an online plan comparison tool to find Medicare Advantage plans in your zip code and assess the hearing benefits offered. A licensed insurance agent can also help you find plans and carefully review each plan’s Summary of Benefits so you’re informed about your coverage options and cost. A licensed insurance agent can also look up your hearing care providers in a plan’s network and help you find out what you might pay based on whether your doctor is in-network or out of network for that plan.
Medicare Supplement Plans (Medigap)
Medicare Supplement plans typically don’t include coverage for services or treatments that Original Medicare doesn’t already cover. These plans can help you pay for the copays, deductibles, or coinsurance that you have with treatment and services already covered by Parts A and B.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Medicare Part B covers diagnostic hearing tests. Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C) may provide additional coverage for hearing exams and tests.
As of August 2022, the FDA has approved over-the-counter hearing aids for individuals with mild to moderate hearing impairment. These hearing aids do not require a prescription, exam or fitting by an audiologist to purchase. Additionally, over-the-counter hearing aids are expected to be priced significantly lower than prescription hearing aids.
No. Medicare Parts A and B do not cover either prescription or over-the-counter hearing aids.
Enrollment Eligibility
Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)
Medicare Annual Enrollment Period runs each year from October 15 to December 7. What is the Annual Enrollment Period vs. Open Enrollment Period?
Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)
Your Initial Enrollment Period generally surrounds your 65th birthday but may occur if you otherwise become eligible for Medicare for the first time.
Special Enrollment Period (SEP)
You may be eligible if you experience a qualifying life event such as moving to a new zip code, losing employer coverage, or change in Medicaid status.
Further Reading:
e-TeleQuote Insurance Inc. (“e-TeleQuote”) does business as easyMed Insurance Services in all states other than New Mexico. e-TeleQuote is a duly licensed insurance agency appointed by Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO and PFFS plans and stand-alone prescription drug plans and insurance companies holding Medicare contracts approved by The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). e-TeleQuote is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the Federal Medicare Program. Enrollment in any plan for coverage is subject to insurance company approval. Enrollment in the plan depends on the plan’s contract renewal with Medicare. By using e-TeleQuote’s easyMedicare website, you understand and agree that in New Mexico, we operate as e-TeleQuote Insurance, Inc. (Your IP address and/or location coordinates may be gathered to verify your location.) Sales agents may be compensated based on your enrollment in a health plan. Medicare Supplement plans are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the Federal Medicare program. e-TeleQuote complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion. easyMedicare.com is a non-government site, powered by e-TeleQuote Insurance, Inc. e-TeleQuote provides a secure way to purchase Medicare insurance from the comfort of your home or workplace. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-Medicare (TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048) 24 hours day/7 days a week, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP), to get information on all of your options. Not all plans offer all of these benefits. Benefits may vary by carrier and location. Limitations and exclusions may apply. To send a complaint to Medicare, call 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1- 877-486-2048), 24 hours a day/7 days a week). If your complaint involves a broker or agent, be sure to include the name of the person when filing your grievance.
Last Updated: September 30, 2024
MULTIPLAN_ETQEZMwebsite_2025_C