If you're counting on Medicare to cover your hearing aids, there's a critical fact you need to know before spending thousands of dollars out of pocket: Original Medicare does not cover hearing aids in 2026. This has been the rule for decades, and despite repeated legislative attempts to change it, nothing has passed into law as of mid-2026. That said, you do have options through Medicare Advantage plans, over-the-counter devices, and state-level assistance programs. This guide walks through all of them.
What Original Medicare Covers (and Does Not Cover)
Original Medicare, which includes Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance), explicitly excludes routine hearing exams and hearing aids. This exclusion is written into the original Medicare statute.
Here is what Original Medicare will and will not pay for:
| Service | Original Medicare Covers? |
|---|
| Hearing aids (any type) | No |
| Routine hearing exam (for fitting) | No |
| Diagnostic hearing exam ordered by a doctor | Yes (Part B, 80% after deductible) |
| Cochlear implant surgery | Yes (Part A) |
| Balance disorder testing | Yes (if medically necessary) |
The diagnostic hearing exam exception matters. If your doctor orders a hearing test to diagnose a specific medical condition, Part B will cover 80% of the Medicare-approved cost after you meet your Part B deductible ($257 in 2026). This is different from a routine exam to get fitted for hearing aids.
Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plans follow the same rules. Because Medigap fills gaps in Original Medicare, and Original Medicare does not cover hearing aids, Medigap plans generally do not cover them either.
Medicare Advantage and Hearing Aid Coverage
Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are offered by private insurers and are required to cover everything Original Medicare covers, but they can also offer extra benefits. Hearing aid coverage is one of the most common extra benefits.
As of 2026, approximately 97% of Medicare Advantage plans offer some form of hearing benefit. This does not mean every plan covers hearing aids the same way. The details vary significantly by plan and by location.
Typical Medicare Advantage hearing benefits include:
| Benefit Type | What It Means |
|---|
| Annual hearing allowance | A set dollar amount (commonly $500 to $3,000 per year) toward hearing aids |
| Per-ear allowance | Some plans provide an allowance per device (e.g., $250 to $1,000 per ear) |
| Routine hearing exams | Usually 1 exam per year covered at $0 or low copay |
| In-network providers | Must use approved audiologists or hearing centers |
| Hearing aid styles | Coverage may be limited to certain models or brands |
Allowances reset annually, meaning unused amounts generally do not roll over. If your hearing aids cost more than the plan's allowance, you pay the difference out of pocket.
To find out what a specific Medicare Advantage plan covers in your area, you need to review that plan's Evidence of Coverage document or call the plan directly. You can compare plans at medicare.gov using your ZIP code.
Medicare Savings Programs: Help With Costs but Not Hearing Aids
Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) are federally funded, state-administered programs that help low-income Medicare beneficiaries pay for Medicare premiums, deductibles, and cost-sharing. They do not directly cover hearing aids, but they free up money you can put toward hearing care.
There are four MSP tiers, each with different income limits:
| Program | Income Limit (Single) | Income Limit (Couple) | What It Covers |
|---|
| QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary) | Up to $1,350/month | Up to $1,824/month | Part A and B premiums, deductibles, copays, coinsurance |
| SLMB (Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary) | Up to $1,616/month | Up to $2,184/month | Part B premium only |
| QI (Qualifying Individual) | Up to $1,816/month | Up to $2,455/month | Part B premium only |
| QDWI (Qualified Disabled and Working Individual) | Up to $4,615/month | Up to $6,239/month | Part A premium only |
Income limits are based on 2026 federal guidelines and may be higher in some states. Asset limits also apply in most states: $9,950 for an individual and $14,910 for a couple for QMB. Some states have eliminated asset limits entirely, including Connecticut, Delaware, Louisiana, Maine, and Mississippi.
If you qualify for QMB, for example, you could save roughly $185/month on your Part B premium alone, which over a year adds up to money you could use toward hearing aids or an OTC device.
You can use the free screener at Benefits Navigator to check whether you qualify for a Medicare Savings Program in your state.
State Medicaid Programs and Hearing Aid Coverage
If you are enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid (dual-eligible), your state's Medicaid program may cover hearing aids where Medicare does not. Medicaid hearing aid benefits vary widely by state.
Some states cover hearing aids for adults enrolled in Medicaid with no age restriction. Others limit hearing benefits to children, pregnant women, or people in specific categories. A few states offer no adult hearing aid coverage at all.
To find out what your state's Medicaid program covers, contact your state Medicaid agency directly or check your state's Medicaid benefit manual. Dual-eligible beneficiaries should ask about "Extra Help" (also called the Low Income Subsidy) for prescription drugs and check whether their state offers any supplemental hearing benefits.
Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids: A Lower-Cost Option
In October 2022, the FDA finalized a rule creating an official over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid category. This allows adults 18 and older with mild to moderate hearing loss to buy hearing aids directly at retail stores and online without a prescription or audiologist fitting.
OTC hearing aids are now available at pharmacies, big-box stores, and electronics retailers. Prices range from roughly $200 to $1,600 per pair, compared to $2,000 to $5,000 per pair for traditional prescription hearing aids.
OTC devices are intended for mild to moderate hearing loss. If you have severe hearing loss, you still need a prescription device and an audiologist evaluation. If you are unsure of your level of hearing loss, a diagnostic exam ordered by your doctor may be covered under Part B.
Medicare does not cover OTC hearing aids. Neither do most Medicare Advantage plans, which typically reimburse only for prescription-grade devices purchased through their network providers. Check your specific plan's Evidence of Coverage before purchasing.
The Medicare Hearing Aid Coverage Act
The Medicare Hearing Aid Coverage Act (H.R. 500) was introduced in Congress to add hearing aid coverage under Medicare Part B. The bill would have covered hearing aids starting January 1, 2026, but as of mid-2026, the legislation has not been enacted. No changes to Original Medicare hearing aid coverage are currently in effect.
This means the coverage gap in Original Medicare remains. Beneficiaries who need hearing aids must rely on Medicare Advantage, OTC options, Medicaid (if eligible), or pay out of pocket.
How to Reduce Hearing Aid Costs in 2026
If Original Medicare is your only coverage and you cannot afford prescription hearing aids, these options may help:
Switch to a Medicare Advantage plan with hearing benefits. Open Enrollment runs October 15 through December 7 each year. Special Enrollment Periods may apply if you have a qualifying life event. Compare plans at medicare.gov.
Try an OTC device. For mild to moderate hearing loss, FDA-registered OTC hearing aids available at retailers like Costco, CVS, Walgreens, and Best Buy may address your needs at a fraction of the cost.
Apply for a Medicare Savings Program. Even though MSPs do not cover hearing aids directly, reducing your Medicare cost-sharing frees up household money for other health expenses. Check eligibility at Benefits Navigator.
Contact hearing aid manufacturers about assistance programs. Several major hearing aid brands offer low-income assistance programs or reduced-cost devices for people who cannot afford full-price aids.
Check with nonprofit organizations. Groups like the Hearing Loss Association of America, Lions Clubs International, and Starkey Hearing Foundation provide hearing aids to qualifying low-income individuals.
Use your FSA or HSA. If you have a Flexible Spending Account or Health Savings Account, hearing aids are a qualified expense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Medicare Part B cover hearing aids?
No. Medicare Part B does not cover hearing aids or the exams used to fit them. Part B will cover a diagnostic hearing exam if your doctor orders it to diagnose a medical condition, but not for the purpose of getting hearing aids fitted.
Does Medicare Advantage cover hearing aids in 2026?
Most Medicare Advantage plans do offer some hearing aid coverage in 2026. About 97% of plans include a hearing benefit, typically an annual allowance ranging from $500 to $3,000. Coverage varies by plan and location, so you need to check the specific plan's details.
How much do hearing aids cost without Medicare coverage?
Prescription hearing aids average $2,000 to $5,000 per pair in 2026. Over-the-counter hearing aids for mild to moderate hearing loss cost roughly $200 to $1,600 per pair and do not require a prescription.
Will Medicare ever cover hearing aids?
Congress has repeatedly introduced legislation to add hearing aid coverage to Original Medicare, including the Medicare Hearing Aid Coverage Act (H.R. 500). As of mid-2026, none of these bills have been signed into law. There is no confirmed timeline for a coverage change.
What is a Medicare Savings Program and will it help with hearing aids?
Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) are programs that help low-income Medicare beneficiaries pay for Medicare premiums and cost-sharing. They do not directly pay for hearing aids. However, qualifying for an MSP can reduce your monthly Medicare expenses, freeing up funds for other health costs including hearing aids. Income limits for 2026 range from $1,350/month (QMB, individual) to $1,816/month (QI, individual).
Are over-the-counter hearing aids covered by Medicare?
No. Medicare, including Medicare Advantage, generally does not cover OTC hearing aids. Medicare Advantage hearing benefits typically apply only to prescription-grade devices purchased through the plan's network providers. However, OTC devices are a lower-cost option you can purchase independently.
How do I apply for a Medicare Savings Program?
You apply through your state's Medicaid agency. You can start by checking your eligibility using the free screener at Benefits Navigator, which covers all 50 states. If you appear eligible, it will direct you to your state's application process.
Does Medigap cover hearing aids?
No. Medigap plans supplement Original Medicare but do not cover services that Original Medicare excludes. Since Original Medicare does not cover hearing aids, Medigap plans do not cover them either.
