Does Medicare cover hearing aids?

Original Medicare generally does not cover hearing aids or exams for fitting them. Some Medicare Advantage plans add a hearing benefit. Amounts and networks vary and can change each year.

By Alan Blackwell, Licensed Medicare Insurance Agent 0M71640. Published September 15, 2026. Updated September 19, 2026.

Original Medicare

Parts A and B generally do not pay for hearing aids. Some diagnostic hearing exams may be covered when a doctor orders them for a medical reason. Confirm on Medicare.gov.

Medicare Advantage extras

A hearing allowance, if offered, is a plan extra — not a Medicare entitlement. Providers, copays, and device limits vary by ZIP. Read the Evidence of Coverage. We do not recommend a brand or a plan.

Medigap

Standardized Medigap letters generally do not add hearing aids. They help with Original Medicare deductibles and coinsurance.

Common questions

Can I use the Birthday Rule to add hearing aids to Medigap?

No. The Birthday Rule is about equal or lesser standardized Medigap letters. It does not add extras like hearing aids.

My Medicare Checkup

Answer a few questions about your ZIP code, what matters about cost and doctors, and where you get care. The list shows the questions and items those answers raise. Confirm each one on Medicare.gov, with the plan, and with the doctor’s office.

You will get a list of questions to ask the office and items to confirm on Medicare.gov. You can also talk it through with Alan.

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