Medicare Q&AMay 15, 2026·5 min read·By Jacob Posner, Founder & Editor
Does Medicare Cover Hearing Aids? (2026)
Short answer: No (Original Medicare). Yes, many MA plans (Part C).
Full answer: Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does NOT cover hearing aids or hearing aid fitting exams; this exclusion has been in place since Medicare began in 1965. Medicare Part B does cover diagnostic hearing and balance exams when ordered by a physician to evaluate a medical condition, subject to the $283 Part B deductible and 20% coinsurance in 2026. About 98% of Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans include some hearing benefit in 2026, typically covering one or two hearing aids per year with copays or allowances that vary by plan. If Original Medicare is your only coverage and you need hearing aids, your main options are Medicare Advantage, Medicaid (if dual-eligible), VA benefits, or over-the-counter hearing aids available since October 2022.
Hearing loss affects roughly one in three adults over 65, making it one of the most common conditions among Medicare beneficiaries. Yet hearing aids are among the most notable gaps in Original Medicare coverage; a statutory exclusion that dates back to 1965.
The picture is more complicated than a flat no. Medicare Part B covers diagnostic hearing exams when a doctor orders them. Medicare Advantage plans, which cover more than half of all Medicare beneficiaries, typically include hearing aid benefits. And FDA-approved over-the-counter hearing aids have been available without a prescription since October 2022 at prices that start around $200 per pair. This guide lays out exactly what is and is not covered in 2026. Medicare similarly does not cover routine vision care or glasses — the two gaps often go together for older adults.
Coverage Breakdown
Coverage by type
Plan Type
Hearing Aids Covered?
Diagnostic Hearing Exam
Typical Allowance or Copay
Original Medicare (Part A and B)
No
Yes, if doctor-ordered (Part B deductible + 20%)
N/A (hearing aids not covered)
Medicare Advantage (Part C)
Yes (varies by plan)
Yes, typically covered as routine benefit
$500 to $3,000/year allowance; or copay per aid ($99 to $999)
Medigap (Supplement)
No
Covers the 20% coinsurance for doctor-ordered diagnostic exams only
N/A (hearing aids not covered)
Medicaid (dual-eligible)
Varies by state
Yes, in most states
32 states cover adults; CA caps at $1,510/year; TX covers one aid per 5 years
VA Benefits
Yes (service-connected)
Yes
Full coverage at no cost for qualifying veterans
Medicare Advantage hearing benefits vary significantly by plan and have changed for 2026 due to CMS reimbursement adjustments. Always verify your specific plan's Evidence of Coverage. Diagnostic hearing exam coverage under Part B requires a physician order and applies the $283 Part B deductible plus 20% coinsurance.
Original Medicare has excluded hearing aids from coverage since the Social Security Act of 1965 created the program. The exclusion is written into statute, meaning no administrative rule change can add hearing aid coverage; it would require an act of Congress.
There is one important exception within Original Medicare: diagnostic hearing and balance exams. If your doctor or other health care provider orders a hearing exam to evaluate a medical condition (not to fit you for hearing aids), Medicare Part B covers the exam. You pay the $283 Part B deductible in 2026, then 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for the exam.
Covered: Diagnostic hearing exam ordered by a physician to evaluate a medical condition
NOT covered: Hearing aids (any type, any price)
NOT covered: Hearing aid fitting exams or evaluations
NOT covered: Hearing aid batteries or accessories
NOT covered: Cochlear implant sound processors (covered separately under Part B for implant recipients)
Medicare Advantage Hearing Benefits in 2026
About 98% of Medicare Advantage plans offered some hearing benefit in 2026, according to KFF analysis. But the details vary widely, and some plans reduced supplemental benefits for 2026 due to CMS reimbursement changes; so check your current Evidence of Coverage even if your plan offered hearing coverage in 2025.
Many plans route members through hearing aid networks such as TruHearing, Amplifon, or UnitedHealthcare's Hearing by Amplifon. These networks offer discounted devices but restrict your choice of providers. Outside-network coverage is typically not available for hearing aids under Medicare Advantage.
Typical annual allowance: $500 to $3,000 per year toward hearing aids
Copay-based structure alternative: $99 to $999 per hearing aid through a plan network
Frequency limits: many plans cover aids every one or two years (not every year)
Routine hearing exams: typically one per year at no additional cost
Major hearing aids (premium models): often cost more than the plan allowance, requiring you to pay the difference
Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids: A Lower-Cost Option Since 2022
The FDA finalized rules in August 2022 creating an OTC hearing aid category, effective October 17, 2022. Adults 18 and older with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss can buy OTC hearing aids without a prescription, a hearing exam, or a fitting by an audiologist.
Original Medicare does NOT cover OTC hearing aids, and most Medicare Advantage plans do not either; the benefit typically applies to prescription or plan-approved devices only. OTC aids are available at retail stores (Walmart, Best Buy, Costco, Walgreens) and online (Amazon), with prices ranging from roughly $200 to $3,000 per pair. They are an eligible expense under HSA and FSA accounts if you have one.
You may qualify for free health insurance.
Our 2-minute screener checks Medicaid, ACA, Medicare, CHIP, and more. Most uninsured Americans qualify for $0/month coverage they didn't know about.
If Original Medicare is your only coverage and you need hearing aids, here are your main options ranked by typical cost:
Hearing aid cost and coverage alternatives for Medicare beneficiaries (2026)
Option
Typical Cost
Who Qualifies
Dual-eligible Medicaid (32 states cover adults)
$0 or very low
Medicare + Medicaid recipients below state income limit
VA hearing aids
$0 for qualifying veterans
Veterans with service-connected hearing loss
Medicare Advantage with hearing benefit
$0 to $999 copay per aid (plan premium may apply)
Anyone who switches from Original Medicare to an MA plan during enrollment
OTC hearing aids
$200 to $3,000/pair, no prescription needed
Adults 18+ with mild to moderate hearing loss
AARP hearing discount program
Varies; typically 20%+ discount off retail
AARP members
Prescription hearing aids (no insurance)
$1,500 to $7,000/pair
Anyone, no restrictions
Medicaid adult hearing aid coverage varies by state. 32 states covered adults as of 2023-2026. Confirm your state's benefit before assuming coverage.
Source: KFF State Health Facts: Medicaid Hearing Aids; VA.gov; FDA OTC Hearing Aid Rule 2022
Dual-Eligible Strategy: Medicaid Hearing Coverage
About 12 million Americans qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid; they are called dual-eligible. If you are dual-eligible, your state's Medicaid program may cover hearing aids even though Original Medicare does not. As of 2026, 32 states cover hearing aids for adult Medicaid enrollees, with significant variation in what they cover and how much.
California Medi-Cal covers hearing aids for adults up to $1,510 per person per fiscal year (July 1 to June 30), which can include the aids, earmolds, supplies, repairs, and up to six fitting visits. Texas Medicaid covers one hearing aid per five-year period for adults with at least 35 decibels of hearing loss in both ears. If you think you might qualify for Medicaid, use the eligibility screener to check; dual-eligible status can unlock hearing, dental, and vision benefits that Original Medicare does not provide. See KFF's state-by-state Medicaid hearing aid coverage data for your state's specific benefit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Medicare cover hearing aids in 2026?
No. Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover hearing aids or hearing aid fitting exams in 2026. This statutory exclusion has been in place since 1965. About 98% of Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans do include some hearing benefit, but coverage varies widely by plan and many plans reduced their benefits for 2026 due to CMS reimbursement changes.
Does Medicare Part B cover hearing exams?
Yes, but only diagnostic hearing exams ordered by a physician to evaluate a medical condition. Part B does NOT cover exams done specifically to fit you for hearing aids. When covered, you pay the $283 Part B deductible in 2026 plus 20% coinsurance after the deductible is met.
How much does Medicare Advantage pay toward hearing aids?
It varies by plan. Many plans offer an annual allowance of $500 to $3,000 toward hearing aids. Plans that use hearing networks like TruHearing may charge a copay of $99 to $999 per hearing aid instead. Most plans also have frequency limits; often covering aids every one or two years, not annually. Always verify your specific plan's Evidence of Coverage.
Can I get free hearing aids through Medicare?
Possibly, through two pathways. First, if you are dual-eligible (Medicare plus Medicaid), your state Medicaid program may cover hearing aids; 32 states cover adults as of 2026, and California Medi-Cal provides up to $1,510 per year. Second, veterans with service-connected hearing loss can get hearing aids at no cost through the VA. Otherwise, Original Medicare does not provide free hearing aids.
What are OTC hearing aids and does Medicare cover them?
Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids became legal to sell without a prescription in October 2022 after the FDA finalized a new category for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss. They are available at Walmart, Best Buy, Costco, and online for roughly $200 to $3,000 per pair. Original Medicare does not cover OTC hearing aids, and most Medicare Advantage plans do not either, since their hearing benefits typically apply to plan-approved or prescription-grade devices only.
Does Medicaid cover hearing aids for adults?
It depends on your state. As of 2026, 32 states cover hearing aids for adult Medicaid enrollees. Coverage details vary: California Medi-Cal covers up to $1,510 per year; Texas Medicaid covers one hearing aid per five-year period for adults with 35 dB or more of bilateral hearing loss. States without adult hearing coverage generally still cover hearing aids for children under 21 through EPSDT.
Will Medicare ever cover hearing aids?
Legislative proposals have been introduced repeatedly; including the Medicare Hearing Aid Coverage Act (H.R. 500 in the 119th Congress, 2025-2026); but none have been enacted. As of 2026, the exclusion remains in place. If legislation passes, implementation would typically take at least one to two years after enactment.
Can I switch to Medicare Advantage to get hearing coverage?
Yes. If you currently have Original Medicare, you can switch to a Medicare Advantage plan during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7) or a Special Enrollment Period if you qualify. About 98% of MA plans offer some hearing benefit in 2026. Use medicare.gov/plan-compare to find plans in your area that include hearing coverage and compare their specific allowances, networks, and premiums.
You may qualify for free health insurance.
Our 2-minute screener checks Medicaid, ACA, Medicare, CHIP, and more. Most uninsured Americans qualify for $0/month coverage they didn't know about.
