Medicare is a government-run health insurance program that provides coverage for seniors and people with disabilities. In 2022, Medicare will begin to cover hearing aids for those who qualify. This change was made as part of the 21st Century Cures Act, which was passed in December 2016. Also, if you are eligible for Medicare and need hearing aids, you will be able to receive coverage starting in 2022. Keep reading to learn more about this change and how it may impact you!
What is The Cost of Hearing Aides Through Medicare?
With Original Medicare, you are responsible for 100% of the costs for hearing aids and exams. The average out-of-pocket cost without insurance for a pair of hearing aids is around $2,500. This can range from several hundred dollars to several thousand. If you need hearing aids, there are other ancillary costs to consider. For instance, such as batteries and money spent for ongoing fittings and adjustments.
With a MA plan that has hearing aid coverage, you will be responsible either a copay. Or you will be responsible for their in-network hearing aids. As well as you will be given a maximum allowance that goes toward paying for hearing aids. MA plans have set maximum out-of-pocket costs; however, your cost-sharing expenses for hearing aids do NOT count toward this limit. When you consider your healthcare budget. You should know that hearing aid expenses will be in addition to your potential out-of-pocket expenses for your medical care.
Cost Breakdown
Hearing aid costs vary widely depending on the type and severity of hearing loss. Most often, hearing aid coverage that is available through MA plans is helpful. However it is limited in scope and choice of providers. Most MA plans offer “some coverage” for hearing benefits including hearing exams and hearing aid fittings, plus a limited number of hearing aid adjustments.
Also, it is important to consider the intangible costs of hearing aids, too. Being able to hear is a quality-of-life issue for most of us. Just as some hearing loss can be a normal part of aging, it is common to experience grief and depression along with it. Hearing aids amplify sounds, but they cannot restore normal hearing. To find the best hearing aid for you, you will need to strike a balance between what is available from your insurance plan, what you can afford, and how compromised hearing affects the quality of your life.
Which Plans Make Sense if You need Help?
You should select a Medicare Advantage plan available in your area that includes extra benefits for hearing if you know you need hearing aids. If you don’t have hearing aids yet, but you anticipate needing them based on your family history, you should consider MA plans with hearing aid benefits.
Or If you are already working with a professional for your hearing and hearing aids, it’s a good idea to check with your provider to see which MA plans include them in their network.
Do you already have a MA plan with hearing aid benefits, consider making an appointment with their in-network audiologist to conduct screening or exam to determine if you have hearing loss and whether or not it could be helped by hearing aids.
Search for plans here. Input your zip code to begin the search for Medicare plans that are offered in your area.
- Select Medicare Advantage plans to find plans with hearing aid coverage.
- Take the time to compare plan benefits and providers.
- Contact the plan to discuss details
- Review the EOC or Summary of Benefits document that is associated with each plan. You can find this by clicking on Plan Details or the company website.
How to Get A Referral For a Hearing Aid Exam
If you have not had a hearing aid exam in the last 12 months, you may need to get a referral from your primary care doctor before scheduling an appointment with an audiologist.
It’s important to note that even if you are planning on using Medicare to pay for all or part of your hearing aids, some audiologists do not accept Medicare.
You can use the Find a Doctor tool on the Medicare website to search for audiologists or other hearing specialists that participate in the Medicare program.
When you contact an audiologist, be sure to ask if they accept Medicare patients as well as what type of services they provide and what their fees are.
In closing, we are always here for you as a resource. Several companies have excellent hearing programs. Give us a call and we can help you get one set up.