If you need to get a new pair of hearing aids but don’t know how or where to start, Atlantic Hearing Care can help.
Hearing loss occurs gradually with age. As hearing deteriorates, this can lead to struggles in hearing conversations, the TV, traffic, alarms or sirens. Hearing aids can significantly help people with hearing loss by making sounds louder and clearer.
If you know that you need hearing aids, the first thing to do is find out if your insurance will cover them. There are different parts of Medicare that can help with this, and some may be a better fit for you than others.
Although it’s estimated that hearing loss affects two-thirds of people aged over 70, Medicare Part A and Part B doesn’t cover the cost of hearing aids. However, there are some Medicare Advantage plans that may cover hearing aids.
Which parts of Medicare cover hearing aids?
To better understand the hearing aid coverage of Medicare, let’s take a look at the different parts and how each relates to hearing aids:
Medicare Part A This covers the costs of hospital care, doctor’s services, skilled nursing facility services and hospice care. Part A doesn’t cover hearing aids.
Medicare Part B can cover selected medical expenses not covered by other insurance, including lab tests, outpatient services and doctors’ fees. Coverage for hearing aids that are medically necessary may be covered by Medicare Part B. This will be determined by a physician. While Medicare Part B doesn’t cover the cost of hearing tests, hearing aid fittings and the hearing aid itself, it can shoulder diagnostic hearing exams ordered by the doctor as needed to detect or diagnose a hearing problem. In this case, a patient will pay 20% of the cost for the Medicare-approved exam.
Medicare Part C Also known as Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare Part C is usually offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. These plans can provide additional coverage and benefits that Medicare Part A and B do not cover. Additional coverage may include the cost of hearing aids and other hearing benefits.
Medicare Part D This is similar to Medicare Part C, with the fact that it is offered by private insurance companies. However, it doesn’t cover hearing aids, only prescription drugs.
Which Medicare plans may be best for you if you know you need hearing aids?
The best Medicare plans for hearing aids are the ones that offer additional coverage and benefits.
If you’re in the process of enrolling in Medicare and you anticipate that you may need hearing aids in the future, you might want to look into the Medicare Advantage plan.
You can also work with Medicare Part C as it carries the benefits of Medicare Part A and B plus additional services like hearing aids and related hearing care services.
How much do hearing aids cost with Medicare?
The price of hearing aids is dependent on a number of factors. Medicare doesn’t cover the cost of hearing aids but it does offer coverage for some related services like testing and rehabilitation counseling.
It’s important to work with an audiologist when deciding what type, style, brand, level and features you want in your hearing aid because this can affect the total cost as well as long-term benefits.
Hearing technology has come a very long way over the last few decades which means that there are more options available than before. Patients with hearing loss can have more options to choose from, depending on their needs, budget, lifestyle, etc.
Hearing Aids Massachusetts
If you need to get a new pair of hearing aids but don’t know how or where to start, Atlantic Hearing Care can help.
We carry major hearing aid brands that specialize in finding the right solution for hearing needs at an affordable price. If you’re in Massachusetts and need a reliable hearing clinic that can help you choose the best hearing aid fit for your budget, call us today to schedule an appointment!