Will Medicare Pay For My Hearing Aid?
Facts You Should Know About Medicare Coverage Of Hearing Aids
About 30 million adults in the United State could benefit from hearing aids. The most common reason for hearing loss is age, especially for people who are age 60 or older. Unfortunately, not everyone who could benefit from hearing aids gets them. There are many individual reasons for this, but a very common reason is concern about the price and affordability of hearing aids.
Naturally, people who are retired or otherwise on a fixed income are concerned that they will be able to pay for hearing aids even if improving hearing would benefit their lives. Here’s what you should know from your Mesa Medicare insurance agents about Medicare coverage of hearing aids and what costs you might expect.
Do Medicare Plans Cover Hearing Aids?
Medicare is a government-funded health insurance program available to adults in the United States who are age 65 or older, or who have specific disabilities and health conditions, such as end stage renal failure. The program is divided into different smaller programs that focus on specific types of care. Part A generally covers hospital care, while Part B is mainly for outpatient and preventative care. These plans do not cover routine hearing care or the cost of hearing aids. If you are enrolled in either Medicare Part A or Part B, or both, you can expect to pay 100% of the cost of hearing aids.
However, if you enroll privately into Medicare’s private sector, Medicare Advantage plans, which are also known as Medicare Part C, it’s very likely that you will have hearing aid benefits available.
Which Medicare Plans Cover Hearing Aids?
The only Medicare plan that will provide coverage for hearing aids is Medicare Part C. These plans, which are also called Medicare Advantage plans, are legally required to provide the same coverage benefits as Part A and Part B, and generally also offer additional benefits. In most cases, these added benefits include coverage for dental and vision care, prescription medications, and hearing aids. Talk with your Gilbert Medicare insurance brokers to learn more about which Medicare plans and coverage are available to you.
What is Included in Hearing Aid Coverage?
Coverage details will depend on exactly which plan and insurance provider you have, so it’s best to contact your Glendale Medicare insurance agent to get accurate information about your own plan or to switch to a different one that will better meet your health needs.
Generally speaking, Medicare Advantage provide coverage for hearing tests, which can help determine whether someone would benefit from a hearing aid, along with the cost of the hearing aid devices themselves and the fitting process. Maintenance costs, such as new batteries, and repairs are often also covered. Sometimes, an insurance will require a co-pay for help cover the cost while others may provide a fixed allowance amount that a person can spend on hearing aids.
How Much Does Hearing Aid Coverage Cost?
According to Gilbert Medicare insurance brokers, there’s usually no additional charges for hearing aid coverage in a Medicare Advantage plan. However, be sure to read all of the details and ask questions before enrolling in any insurance plan so you understand exactly what coverage you are entitled to receive.
How Do I Apply for a Medicare Plan That Will Cover Hearing Aids?
You can sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan as soon as you are eligible for Medicare Part A and B, which begins three months before you turn 65 and ends three months after your 65th birthday. If you are already enrolled in a different Medicare plan or other Medicare Advantage plan, you can change to a new plan that includes hearing aid coverage during the open enrollment period. For Medicare Advantage, this is from January 1 to March 31 each year.
The easiest way to enroll in a Medicare plan or switch to a new Medicare plan is to contact your Queen Creek Medicare insurance agent. A licensed insurance agent can help you review all of the insurance plans that are available to you, including which plans include hearing aid benefits, and help you understand the costs, coverage benefits, and terms of each one so that you can choose the best plan that fits your budget and meets your needs.
If you choose to complete this process yourself, you will need to provide your Medicare number and the date that your Part A and/or Part B coverage began. This information is recorded on your Medicare card.
Phoenix Health and Life Insurance is the best agency in the Valley for all things related to Medicare and other health insurance. Our experienced agents can help you select and enroll in the Medicare plan that suits your needs and answer all of your questions so you feel confident and prepared with the coverage that you need. To get started, call our office today to schedule your appointment with one of our friendly agents!
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