Does Your Insurance Cover Hearing Aids? By State & Insurer (2026)

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Insurances and hearing aid coverage for seniors

Coverage type	Does it cover hearing aids for seniors?
Original Medicare	No
Medicare Advantage	Often, as a capped allowance
Medigap	No
Medicaid	Varies by state
Veterans Affairs (VA)	Yes, at no cost
State mandates	Only on commercial plans

With the exception of original Medicare and Medigap, which don't cover hearing aids for seniors, there's no clear yes or no answer.

State	Who's Covered	Dollar Limit	Benefit Period	Plan Types Covered	Current Terms Since	Statute
Arkansas	All ages	$1,400 per aid	Every 3 years	All health benefit plans offered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2010	Jan. 1, 2010	Ark. Code Ann. § 23-79-1402 et seq.
Connecticut	All ages	None	1 per ear every 24 months	Individual and group policies	Jan. 1, 2020	Conn. Gen. Stat. § 38a-516b
Illinois	All ages	None	1 per ear every 36 months	Individual and group policies, managed care plans	Jan. 1, 2025	215 ILCS 5/356z.30
Maine	All ages	$3,000 per aid	Every 36 months	Individual health policies and contracts	Jan. 1, 2020	Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 24-A, § 2762
Minnesota	All ages	None	1 per ear every 3 years	Group plans only	July 1, 2023	Minn. Stat. § 62Q.675
New Hampshire	All ages	no less than $1,500 per aid	Every 60 months	Individual and group policies	Jan. 1, 2011	N.H. Rev. Stat. § 415:6-p
Rhode Island	All ages	$1,750 per aid, per ear	Not specified in amended statute	Individual and group policies	Jan. 1, 2026	R.I. Gen. Laws § 27-18-60
Vermont	All ages	None	1 per ear every 3 years, sooner if medically necessary	Large group (statute); individual and small group (EHB benchmark)	Jan. 1, 2024	8 V.S.A. § 4070; Vermont DFR
Washington	All ages	no less than $3,000 per ear	Every 36 months	Large group and public employee plans	Jan. 1, 2024	RCW 48.43.135

Connecticut and Illinois cover aids as durable medical equipment or subject to normal cost-sharing, so deductibles and copays still apply across the board; Illinois and Vermont also cover fittings, exams, and repairs (Vermont adds prescribed batteries); Minnesota and Washington exclude OTC hearing aids."

Coverage status	2018 survey	Today
Some coverage (full or partial)	~25%	50.1%
Full coverage	<5%	20.7%
Partial coverage	~20%	29.4%
No coverage	~75%	49.9%

Common forms of insurance coverage for hearing aids

Although, as we detail below, Medicare expressly excludes hearing aids from its healthcare coverage, there are several other government and private insurance programs that do provide support for some individuals.

Medicare

Medicare doesn’t cover hearing aids or fees related to the fitting of hearing aids. However, after you meet the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026), Medicare Part B covers 80% of the Medicare-approved amount for (1) one audiologist visit every 12 months without a doctor’s order, for non-acute hearing conditions or diagnostic services related to surgically implanted hearing devices, and (2) diagnostic hearing and balance exams ordered by a doctor or other health care provider to determine whether you need medical treatment. If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan (aka, Part C), it might include coverage for hearing aids and hearing-related exams and services, so check with your insurance provider.

Legislators have made several attempts to include hearing aid benefits in Medicare, but to date no bill has passed. In the event Medicare eventually does provide hearing aid coverage, it will most likely be similar to a Medicare Advantage Plan, available to “individuals diagnosed with moderately severe, severe, or profound hearing loss.”

Note that, in certain cases, hearing aids can be used as an itemized deduction and Medicare premiums can be tax deductible depending on who is paying, who is covered, and if your medical expenses exceed a certain amount (currently 7.5%) of your adjusted gross income for the year. Check with your accountant or a tax consultant for details.

Medicaid

Medicaid coverage of hearing aids for eligible adults varies by state. Many states cover hearing exams, diagnostic testing, hearing therapy, hearing aids, hearing aid fitting, hearing item repairs, and more, though limitations may apply. Since reimbursement rates are low, you might not have access to the highest technology level. Please refer to HLAA's Medicaid coverage overview.

Insurance Company	Coverage per aid in USD	No. of responses
BCBS* Association	$1,205.27	134
UnitedHealth Group	$1,363.64	97
Anthem BCBS*	$1,408.72	54
Aetna	$1,160.29	37
Cigna	$1,231.62	23
Kaiser Permanente	$1,004.05	16
Humana	$821.88	9
Other	$1,305.09	136

*BlueCross and BlueShield | Source: Our 2018 survey

Many insurance plans offer specific hearing care coverage. Here’s an overview of some select plans.

Aetna

Most Aetna benefit plans exclude coverage of hearing aids, according to the company, although you should consult your plan brochure for details. For plans that do not exclude hearing aids, either OTC and prescription hearing aids are eligible for coverage if they are cleared by the FDA and prescribed by a qualified healthcare provider and criteria for medical necessity are met.

Some of Aetna’s Medicare Advantage Plans provide coverage through the NationsHearing program from $750 up to $1,500, but the coverage varies significantly between plans so you’ll need to read your policy carefully or discuss it with an Aetna representative.

Some other Aetna plans also exist, like the Mail Handlers Benefit Plan (MHBP), which is a comprehensive program but requires prior authorization before purchasing hearing aids. Other federal employees may benefit from Aetna’s discount program with Amplifon. Again, you’ll need to read through your policy or contact Aetna for details (1-888-792-3862).

BlueCross BlueShield

BlueCross BlueShield (BCBS) is one of the most ubiquitous health insurance plans in the U.S., and many of its plans do provide for hearing examination and hearing aid fitting coverage.

BCBS State Health Plan and Medicare’s Federal Employee Program (FEP) Blue Focus provide hearing aid coverage through TruHearing, covering up to the BCBS maximum.

Medicare Advantage plans from BCBS often include hearing aid coverage. For example, the PlusBlue plan provides a free hearing evaluation, coverage of $500 to $2500 per ear (depending on your specific plan), and hearing aid checks.

Blue365 members can save 30% to 60% on hearing aids with TruHearing. You can combine this deal with the hearing aid allowance in your insurance coverage. BCBS claims its member save an average of $1,250 per hearing aid.

There are also an array of BCBS employer plans and many of these are comprehensive, covering 100% of exams and hearing aids, but only if you use a participating hearing provider.

However, many BCBS individual and family plans don’t include hearing aid coverage. You’ll need to read through your policy or contact a BCBS representative for your individual situation.

CareFirst

CareFirst members may qualify for partial hearing aid coverage of up to $1,000 or more.

The following plans may offer this benefit:

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield PPO
CareFirst HDHP
BlueChoice HMO

Contact CareFirst to verify your individual coverage.

Cigna

Cigna’s coverage for hearing aid devices varies across plans, ranging from $500 per ear with no test co-pays to no coverage at all. Cigna has a partnership with Amplifon Hearing Healthcare and may offer discounts on hearing aids through Amplifon or Miracle Ear. However, you’ll need to refer to the benefit plan document for specific coverage details.

Cigna HealthSpring is a popular Medicare Advantage plan that covers hearing aids up to $700/ear every 3 years and doesn’t have a copay for hearing evaluations or fittings.

Other popular plans include the Cigna Dental Vision Hearing 3500, a comprehensive plan with coverage for hearing exams up to $50 and hearing aids up to $700, and no deductible. The Cigna Flexible Choice plan can save you up to $500 per year on hearing aids, exams, and repairs but does have a 1-year waiting period before you can access the benefits. Cigna Connect and SureFit don’t cover hearing aids, but do provide discounts through Amplifon, and the latter plan includes preventive care and wellness programs.

To find out more about your specific Cigna coverage you can chat live online or call (800) 997-1654.

Delta Dental and EyeMed

Both of these insurance plans may give you access to hearing aids through Amplifon. This hearing aid discount network provides average savings of up to 64% on leading brands. You can check your benefit with Amplifon or your insurance provider.

Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB)

If you’re enrolled in the FEHB program, your benefits may include coverage for hearing aids. Check your plan brochure for details.

Government Employees Health Association (GEHA)

This insurance provider for federal employees, federal retirees, military retirees, and their families offers low out-of-pocket costs on hearing aids. GEHA members have access to Connection Hearing, TruHearing’s hearing aid discount program, which offers a 30% to 60% discount on hearing aids. Depending on your plan, GEHA pays up to $2,500 per hearing aid pair, meaning some hearing aids will be free of charge to you.

Humana

Since 2017, Humana has offered hearing aids through TruHearing in select states and plans for a copay. Other members can access coverage through alternative companies but typically have a limited hearing aid allowance rather than a fixed copay.

Kaiser Permanente

Some individual and employer-sponsored Kaiser Permanente plans include hearing aid coverage. If you can add the Kaiser Advantage Plus program to your plan, an additional monthly premium will give you access to added benefits, including hearing. Availability and type of coverage varies by location.

UnitedHealthcare

Many UnitedHealthcare plans cover hearing aids through its UnitedHealthcare Hearing program. Its Right2You virtual care and direct delivery program offer UHC Relate brand and Phonak hearing aids, and its in-person care coverage offer Relate and industry-leading brands. If your plan covers hearing aids, you may receive a discount of 50-80% on the device itself, with the discount depending on your policy and the hearing aid brand.

Does Insurance Cover Hearing Aids? Coverage by State and Insurer (2026)

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