Will Medicare Pay for Hearing Aids in 2026?

Direct Answer

No. Original Medicare Part A and Part B will not pay for hearing aids, fittings, or repairs; this exclusion has been law since 1965. Medicare Part B will pay for a diagnostic hearing exam when a physician orders one for a medical reason, after the $283 Part B deductible and 20% coinsurance in 2026. About 98% of Medicare Advantage plans build in some hearing aid allowance for 2026, making a plan switch the fastest path to coverage.

What Original Medicare Will Pay For, and What It Won't

Original Medicare has never paid for hearing aids since the program was created by the Social Security Act of 1965. The exclusion applies to every type of hearing aid, from basic analog models to premium prescription devices, and it also covers the fitting exam, the earmolds, and any repairs or batteries. Because the exclusion is written into federal statute rather than a CMS regulation, it cannot be changed by an agency rule; only Congress can add the benefit.

One narrow carve-out exists: the diagnostic hearing and balance exam. When a physician orders that exam to evaluate a medical condition, such as dizziness, sudden hearing loss, or a suspected tumor, Medicare Part B pays its share after you meet the 2026 Part B deductible of $283. You then owe 20% of the Medicare-approved amount. An exam ordered only to fit you for hearing aids does not qualify for this coverage.

• Pays: diagnostic hearing exam ordered by a physician for a medical reason
• Does not pay: hearing aids of any type or price
• Does not pay: hearing aid fitting exams
• Does not pay: hearing aid batteries, earmolds, or repairs
• Pays separately: cochlear implant surgery and the implant device itself, which is a different benefit category from hearing aids

What Medicare Advantage Plans May Pay Toward Hearing Aids in 2026

Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) are run by private insurers and can offer supplemental benefits that Original Medicare does not, and hearing aids are the single most common one. KFF found that about 98% of Medicare Advantage plans included some hearing benefit for 2026, though several insurers trimmed the dollar amount compared to 2025 because of CMS reimbursement adjustments to the program.

Plans structure the payment one of two ways. Some set an annual allowance, typically $500 to $3,000, that you apply toward any hearing aid purchased through the plan's network. Others use a flat copay per device, usually $99 to $999, through a contracted hearing network such as TruHearing, Amplifon, or a carrier-branded hearing program. Nearly every plan restricts the benefit to in-network hearing providers, and most limit replacement to once every one or two years rather than annually.

What Hearing Aids Actually Cost Without Coverage in 2026

Prescription hearing aids from an audiologist typically run $2,000 to $7,000 for a pair in 2026, with the price bundled to include the fitting, follow-up adjustments, and a service warranty. Premium models with rechargeable batteries, artificial-intelligence noise processing, and smartphone connectivity sit at the top of that range. Consumer surveys from the Hearing Loss Association of America and industry trackers put the national average pair price near $4,600, though rural markets and independent audiology practices often price lower than large retail chains.

FDA-cleared over-the-counter hearing aids, available without a prescription since October 17, 2022, run considerably lower, from about $200 to $3,000 per pair, and are sold at Walmart, Best Buy, Costco, Walgreens, and online retailers. They are only intended for adults 18 and older with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss, not for the severe or profound hearing loss that many older Medicare beneficiaries have. Both prescription and OTC hearing aids qualify as eligible expenses under an HSA or FSA if you have one.

Standalone Discount and Membership Programs Outside Medicare

Because Original Medicare, Medigap, and Medicare Part D all exclude hearing aids from payment, several private programs exist specifically to fill that gap. AARP members can access a hearing benefit through the AARP Hearing Care Program, which typically discounts retail prices by 20% or more and includes a free hearing screening. Costco's hearing aid centers and warehouse-club audiology programs are also popular lower-cost options that do not require Medicare or insurance at all, since Costco negotiates directly with manufacturers.

A separate category of standalone hearing insurance and discount memberships, sold by companies such as Amplifon and TruHearing directly to consumers rather than through a Medicare Advantage plan, can lower the price further for people who want a prescription-grade device but do not have Medicare Advantage. These plans are not ACA-compliant health insurance and do not count as minimum essential coverage; they function more like a buying club with negotiated manufacturer pricing.

Eligibility Rules for the Medicare Diagnostic Hearing Exam Benefit

Anyone enrolled in Medicare Part B qualifies for the diagnostic hearing exam benefit, but three conditions must be met before Medicare will pay its share. First, a physician or qualified non-physician practitioner must order the exam in writing. Second, the stated purpose must be to diagnose or evaluate a medical condition, such as balance problems, sudden or unexplained hearing loss, ringing in the ears with a suspected underlying cause, or a possible tumor pressing on the auditory nerve. Third, the exam must be performed by a Medicare-enrolled audiologist or physician.

If you simply walk into an audiology office and ask to be tested so you can be fitted for hearing aids, without a physician's order tied to a medical concern, Medicare will deny the claim and you will owe the full cost of the visit. This distinction trips up more beneficiaries than any other rule in this benefit, so always confirm with your doctor's office that the referral is coded as diagnostic, not as a hearing aid evaluation, before you schedule the appointment.

Alternatives If Medicare Won't Pay for Your Hearing Aids

Five realistic alternatives exist if Original Medicare leaves you paying full price, ranked from lowest cost to highest for most people:

Will Medicare pay for hearing aids in 2026?

No. Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) does not pay for hearing aids of any type or price in 2026. This exclusion has existed since the program began in 1965 and requires an act of Congress to change. About 98% of Medicare Advantage plans do include some hearing aid allowance for 2026, so switching plans is the most common workaround.

Does Medicare pay for a hearing test?

Sometimes. Medicare Part B pays for a diagnostic hearing exam, but only when a physician orders it to evaluate a medical condition such as dizziness or sudden hearing loss. You pay the $283 Part B deductible in 2026 plus 20% coinsurance. An exam done only to fit you for hearing aids is not covered.

How much will I pay for hearing aids if Medicare doesn't cover them?

Prescription hearing aids typically cost $2,000 to $7,000 per pair in 2026, with a national average near $4,600. FDA-cleared over-the-counter hearing aids cost far less, roughly $200 to $3,000 per pair, and do not require a prescription for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss.

Will Medicare Advantage pay more toward hearing aids than Original Medicare?

Yes, in most cases. About 98% of Medicare Advantage plans include some hearing benefit in 2026, typically a $500 to $3,000 annual allowance or a $99 to $999 copay per device through a plan network. Original Medicare pays nothing toward the hearing aid itself, so any Medicare Advantage benefit is an improvement, though network restrictions and frequency limits still apply.

Will Medicaid pay for hearing aids if I have both Medicare and Medicaid?

It depends on your state. As of 2026, 32 states pay toward hearing aids for adult Medicaid enrollees, and dual-eligible beneficiaries (people with both Medicare and Medicaid) can use that state benefit even though Original Medicare will not pay. California's Medi-Cal program, for example, covers up to $1,510 per year, while other states set different caps or frequency limits.

Will the VA pay for hearing aids?

Yes, for veterans enrolled in VA health care. The VA covers hearing aids at no cost, with priority given to veterans whose hearing loss is connected to their military service. Veterans who also have Medicare can use VA benefits for hearing aids even though Medicare itself will not pay.

Are OTC hearing aids a good alternative if Medicare won't pay?

For many people, yes. FDA-cleared over-the-counter hearing aids have been sold without a prescription since October 2022 for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss, at roughly $200 to $3,000 per pair. They are not a substitute for a prescription-grade device if you have severe or profound hearing loss, so a hearing evaluation first is still worthwhile.

Is Congress considering making Medicare pay for hearing aids?

Yes, repeatedly, but nothing has passed. The Medicare Hearing Aid Coverage Act was reintroduced as H.R. 500 in the 119th Congress (2025 to 2026) and would add a hearing aid benefit to Original Medicare. As of 2026, the bill has not been enacted, and the statutory exclusion remains in effect.