My 88 year old mother is in need of a hearing aid and she cannot afford the cost....was wondering if Medicare helped
2006-07-06 12:00:56 · 9 answers · asked by Elizabeth A 1 in Health ➔ Other - Health
NO. Although MediCARE will pay for the Ear doctor to examine her and for the Audiological evaluation, they will NOT pay anything for a hearing aid. However, MedicAID usually does pay for hearing aids, so you may want to see if your mother qualifies in your state.
If she has a secondary insurance, there may be some coverage, but it's not likely. ALL plans are different, so the only way to know if her secondary will cover is to call the Customer Service # on the back of her card and give them her policy number. If she does have some coverage, ask if there are certain providers she has to go to, or if there are certain protocols she must follow.
Here's an article that addresses some of the financial issues with Hearing Aids:
http://www.healthyhearing.com/library/article_content.asp?article_id=710
and articles that list some organizations that offer financial assistance:
http://www.shhh.org/support/financial.asp
http://www.betterhearing.org/resources/organizations.cfm
2006-07-06 12:03:12 · answer #1 · answered by HearKat 7 · 5⤊ 2⤋
Medicare will cover the cost of the diagnostic testing if there is a referral from a physician. However, regular Medicare does not cover the cost of hearing devices at all. There are some Medicare HMO's that do allow for some hearing aid coverages, but they dictate who you can go to and what you can be fit with. Most people purchasing hearing aids pay mostly out of pocket for them. Hope this helps clear it up for you.
2006-07-07 04:05:24 · answer #2 · answered by melloyellolab2000 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It appears that the answer depends on many factors but it is possible that it may be covered for your mother. In CA. Medicare in conjunction with Blue Cross covers
Hearing Aid Services Evaluation No charge
Hearing aid (per member, every 36 months) Charges in excess of $1,000
2006-07-06 12:04:58 · answer #3 · answered by Eli 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
actually there are places that will help you out with the cost. i am 24 and have been wearing behind the ear hearing aids since i was 9 years old. there is a place called the lions club they help out there or ask the audiologist for places that may be able to help you out. i have state insurance and they pay the full cost of them. check with her insurance maybe they will pay half of it.
2006-07-06 12:06:18 · answer #4 · answered by short.lil_momma 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
haven't you figured it out yet? Medicare doesn't help with anything : ) they just pretend to. But I don' t believe they do. You might just call her pcp and ask they can find out for you
2006-07-06 12:02:52 · answer #5 · answered by vanembryzoe 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There could be social services or something like that. when all else fails.. get the Miricle ear amplifier. its cheaper..
2006-07-06 12:05:10 · answer #6 · answered by t c 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope sorry
2006-07-06 12:03:44 · answer #7 · answered by JulyBaby 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It Should.
2006-07-06 12:04:29 · answer #8 · answered by mks 7-15-02 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no
2006-07-06 12:03:19 · answer #9 · answered by ringocox 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋