Hearing is a vital sense that many of us have learned to take for granted. Yet, those who make it to their senior years learn to value their hearing and seek care that promotes excellent hearing health. If your hearing health is a priority, you may be curious about whether Medicare helps enrollees afford hearing care and supportive devices.
It does, but you won’t receive full coverage for all services and devices.
Medicare Covers Hearing and Balance Exams
Part B of Medicare is intended to pay for the medical care enrollees need. Part of their medical needs is, of course, hearing health care. Therefore, you can expect Medicare to help you maintain adequate hearing health via routine diagnostic hearing and balance exams.
If you have more intensive hearing health needs, you can see an audiologist once per year without a referral or order from another doctor, such as a primary care physician. Though, these visits are usually only covered for individuals who have been diagnosed with non-acute hearing conditions or those who require diagnostic services related to prior hearing loss that is being treated using surgically implanted devices.
How Much Does Hearing Care Cost Medicare Enrollees?
If you are enrolled in Medicare Part B, you will need to pay your premiums, deductible, and coinsurance costs to receive hearing care. The amount of the coinsurance varies depending on the specific services rendered by the health care provider. The other costs fluctuate annually as well, so work with a Medicare agent to identify exactly how much you can expect to pay for hearing care.
Hearing Aids Are Not Covered
Unfortunately, hearing aids must be purchased out-of-pocket by Medicare enrollees. There may be some Medicare Advantage plans that provide support for hearing aid purchases, but Original Medicare does not. That’s why it is important to consider a Part C plan before you enroll in the traditional plan.
If you need help finding an Advantage plan that provides hearing aid coverage, reach out to the Secure Insurance Group today. We can help you find the support you need quickly. You can reach us at 1-877-871-7328 or by filling out the contact form on this page.
