Does anyone know if Medicare covers hearing aids?

Question

My elderly mother has a hard time hearing. She is eligible for Medicare, but does not have any other insurance. Can she get a hearing aid(s) from Medicare?

Answer 1

NO! Hearing aids are not covered by Medicare. Medicare will cover the cost of the diagnostic evaluation if referred by a physician, but they do not have any coverage for hearing instruments. Some states have Medicaid coverage for hearing aids, however, Florida (where I live) does not cover hearing aids for adults who are Medicaid recipients. There are some organizations that help the indigent by providing hearing aids at no or low costs. Check out your Local Lions Club organization and they may have a program. The Starkey FUND also has some coverages based on financial needs. If the patient is a church member the church may be able to help too. I have seen some churches pool together some funds for their members.

I hope that helps.

Answer 2

Behind the ear aids consist of a case, an earmold or dome and a connection between them. The case contains the electronics, controls, battery, microphone and often the loudspeaker. Generally, the case sits behind the pinna with the connection from the case coming down the front into the ear. The sound from the instrument can be routed acoustically or electrically to the ear. If the sound is routed electrically, the speaker is located in the earmold or an open-fit dome, while acoustically coupled instruments use a plastic tube to deliver the sound from the case’s loudspeaker to the earmold. The longer you live with untreated hearing loss, the more your brain loses the ability to process speech and noises. That’s why it is so important to gradually get used to your new life with a hearing aid in the first few days, without overtaxing yourself and your hearing.

Answer 3

Actually, no Medicare doesn't cover hearing aids. But there are a lot of places that will go based on her income. Check into an Office of Aging where you live.

Answer 4

Yes, hearing aids are covered by Medicare

Answer 5

If she is dual qualified, Medicare and Medicaid, she may qualify for Humana Gold plus integrated which does pay $1000 toward hearing aids. Unfortunately, this is only a portion of the cost of hearing aids. The average price, where I am, is $1500. So if she only needs one, she still has to come up with $500. If she needs to, she has to cough up $2000.

I am not certain if this is something under Obama care or something that Humana just started offering because they know that it is impossible for most people to come up with that kind of money considering what dual qualification means.

Answer 6

Too many different answers here! There is a lot of confusion about Medicare right now... The people at your local Area Agency on Aging can answer this--and other aging-related- questions for you and your mother. To find the one nearest you call toll-free 1-800-677-1116. You will most likely find the people there friendly and very helpful!

Answer 7

Medicare should pay for at least one aid. If she needs another, it will probably have to be purchased out of pocket. I hope cost isn't too much of an issue, because hearing aids can dramatically improve a person's outlook. My grandfather just got two new digital aids, and he's much more talkative and upbeat than he used to be!

Answer 8

I've never seen Medicare cover hearing aids.

Answer 9

The problem is that nailing down the price of a hearing aid is like trying to nail down the price of a car deal, they won't give you a final price until you are ready to sign on the dotted line. And it's always thousands more than say, Humana, will pay. They will advertise one for $395 per ear, but when they test your hearing you never qualify for the cheap one, you'll always need the super duper one.

Answer 10

No.

The insurance guys play the game of "Law of averages" where they always win.

They have disclaimers for all these factors,