Medicare doesn't cover hearing aids or hearing aid fitting tests. You pay 100% for hearing aids and exams. Some Medicare Advantage plans (Part C). You pay 100% of the cost of hearing aids and exams.
If you have private health insurance, check if you have coverage for hearing aids. You may also be eligible to claim some costs as a tax benefit under Australian Government Medical Expense Compensation. Medicare Part B doesn't cover hearing aids or testing for fitting a hearing aid. It usually covers services medically necessary to treat an active medical condition.
Unfortunately, Original Medicare doesn't cover the cost of hearing aids or their maintenance. However, that doesn't necessarily mean you're out of luck. Some Medicare Advantage providers offer plans with coverage for hearing aids, which can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs. Over the years, many organizations and legislators have tried to update Medicare to cover the costs of vision, hearing and dental services for seniors.
Another option for married seniors is to check your spouse's private health insurance policy (if any) to see if it covers hearing aids. Hearing aids are usually only covered by the most comprehensive and high-level additional health insurance policies. If you are considering purchasing hearing aids, many other government programs cover various aspects of hearing care. If you are an older adult suffering from hearing loss or your doctor has recommended hearing aids, you may be wondering if Medicare can help cover the cost.
Wearing hearing aids for the first time can be an overwhelming experience, as it is readjusted to interpret sounds you may not have heard for years or never before. So, if you're just looking for health insurance for hearing aids and audiology, it might not be the best deal. In other words, you can't go to a hearing clinic without a referral and expect Medicare to pay for it. Hearing aids can be a serious investment and, unfortunately, their use is still a stigma, so it's natural to be nervous about it.
As this clinical review explains, the Medicare Act of 1965 legally excluded coverage of hearing aids on the premise that they were “routinely necessary and inexpensive,” suggesting that consumers would be responsible for their purchase. If you don't have coverage, wait for a Medicare Advantage enrollment period, and then switch to a plan that offers hearing aid coverage in your state if you decide it's right for you. If your hearing aids aren't as useful as you'd like, a cochlear implant can provide you with speech clarity to regain confidence in social situations. However, these devices can significantly improve the quality of life of people with hearing problems.
Assuming that your hearing aids are well cared for and fit your needs well, they should last between 3 and 6 years.
