Medicare Hearing Aids: Who Pays?

The federal health program's original hospital and medical coverage excludes hearing aids and fitting exams, leaving beneficiaries to pay fully out of pocket.
Doctor-ordered diagnostic hearing or balance tests for medical problems can be covered under medical coverage, but deductibles, ~20% coinsurance and possible outpatient copays still apply.
Most private plan options add hearing benefits, often including annual exams, fitting visits and device allowances, but caps, copays, networks and preapproval rules vary.
Traditional devices often cost ~$1K-$4K per ear, while OTC options for mild to moderate loss usually run ~$100-$700 per pair in the US.
For qualifying severe hearing loss, surgically implanted devices may be covered as prosthetics, though deductibles, ~20% coinsurance and follow-up care can still mean major bills.