There is no doubt about it: hearing aids—like other medical devices and equipment—can be a significant investment. It’s easy to focus just on the price, but the broader picture is the value hearing aids bring to your life.
Hearing aids can help you hear, understand and communicate better all day long, every day, for years. Purchasing the appropriate hearing aids for your hearing loss and lifestyle will benefit your relationships at home, with friends and at work. Improved hearing will also allow you to once again participate in activities you used to enjoy, like dining out and going to movies, lectures or concerts.
The price of a hearing aid will vary depending on the specific style and features you choose. Fortunately, when it comes to paying for hearing aids, there are a variety of resources that may be available to you.
Medicare
Typically Medicare does not cover routine hearing evaluation or hearing aids. However, in some cases, exams ordered by a physician and conducted by a licensed audiologist may be covered by Medicare Part B. Medicare Advantage Plans may have hearing aid coverage.
Check with your doctor or hearing professional about whether Medicare covers a diagnostic exam. Use this tool to search your state for Medicare coverage of hearing aids and hearing exams. www.Medicare.gov/coverage/home.asp
Medicaid
Most state Medicaid programs cover partial or complete costs for hearing aids. (Medicaid must cover hearing aid costs for children.)
There are different eligibility conditions depending on your state program, and your doctor or hearing specialist can help you determine whether this coverage is available to you. For telephone numbers and contact information for the Medicaid program in your state, visit www.govbenefits.gov and select “Medicare/Medicaid.”
VA Benefits
The Veteran’s Administration (VA) provides access to audiology services and hearing aids for qualified veterans. For additional information, veterans should contact the VA health care facility near their homes. To locate the VA facility near you or for a list of all facilities, go to www.va.gov and select “Locations.”
For more information, view: http://www4.va.gov/healtheligibility/coveredservices/SpecialBenefits.asp#EyeEar
Private Health Insurance
Hearing aid coverage for adults is not mandated in every state. Some private health insurance companies cover the costs of hearing tests, a hearing aid evaluation and even partial or full coverage of hearing aids—while others provide none at all. Check your individual plan coverage by calling the member services phone number on your insurance card.
Questions to ask your insurance provider:
- Does my insurance policy cover the entire cost or partial cost for hearing aids?
- Do I have to use a specific hearing aid provider? If yes, please provide a list of approved providers in my area.
- If my insurance plan provides a benefit for hearing aids, do I have to pay the provider and submit a form for reimbursement or can my hearing specialist bill my insurance provider directly?
- Is the hearing aid benefit limited to specific hearing aid models or hearing aid technology?
- Are there any additional criteria or stipulations for coverage? For example, is there a threshold of hearing loss severity I must meet before I am eligible for the hearing aid benefit?
Flexible Medical Spending Plans
Some employers sponsor flexible medical spending plans, which allow you to set aside a portion of your earnings on a pre-tax basis. The money can be used throughout the year to pay for medical expenses not covered by your insurance provider. Using pre-tax flexible spending dollars is an excellent way to offset hearing aid expenses.
Consumer Reports calculated that savings for a person in the 28-percent tax bracket who spends $5,000 from a flexible spending account on hearing aids will effectively save $1,400 by paying with pre-tax dollars*.
Health Savings Plans
Health savings plans are tax-advantaged medical savings accounts available to taxpayers who are enrolled in high-deductible health plans. The money contributed to health savings plans is not taxed at the time of deposit and accumulates year over year, with interest, if it is not spent. Health savings plans can be used for medical and health-care related purchases not covered, including hearing aids.
State Vocational Rehabilitation Programs
If hearing aids are required for your employment, state vocational rehabilitation programs may provide financial assistance toward their purchase. Find your local office by visiting www.disability.gov/benefits and using the “Information by State” tool to find rehabilitation programs in your home state.
Credit Financing Programs
Most licensed hearing specialists offer financing programs with a range of affordable plans for hearing aids and hearing loss treatment costs. Care Credit is one option.
Deducting Your Costs
If you itemize your taxes, health-care costs that exceed a certain percentage of your adjusted gross income can be deducted from your federal income tax. Hearing aids and hearing aid batteries are among the qualified medical costs that are deductible. Talk to your tax preparer for more information.
Service Organizations and Foundations
Many fraternal and service organizations have programs to provide assistance with hearing aids. Some of these may include the Lions Club, Fraternal Order of the Eagles, Moose Lodge, Masonic Lodge or Shriner’s organizations.
To find agencies in your state, try these keyword search terms: Your State name, programs for hearing impairment, hearing loss services, or free products and services for the hearing impaired.
Similarly, some hearing aid manufacturers sponsor foundations that provide hearing aids to those with limited financial resources. For example, Hear Now is a national non-profit program affiliated with the Starkey Hearing Foundation. The program assists hard of hearing individuals who lack the financial resources to purchase hearing aids.
*Consumer Reports. (2009). “Paying for Your Hearing Aid.” Consumer Reports, www.consumerreports.org/health
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