Hearing Aids and Medicaid

Hearing loss increases with age.

In the U.S., 7% of 18-44 year olds have some to complete hearing loss (Madans et al. 2021). Among 45-84 year olds, 15% have some to complete hearing loss while 31% of those 65 and older have some to complete hearing loss.

• Non-Hispanic white adults aged 45 and older are more likely to have difficulty hearing than other demographic groups.

There is evidence of differences in hearing aid usage, with a lower proportion of Black and Hispanic adults aged 65 and older using hearing aids compared to white adults aged 65 and older (Bessen et al. 2024).

Receiving hearing aids can improve quality of life.

Psychosocial benefits of hearing aids can include improvement in interpersonal relationships, greater ease in establishing new relationships, and better mental cognition (Avierinos et al. 2024, Brodie et al. 2018, Contrera et al. 2016). Individuals are better able to communicate , participate in day-to-day activities, and have increased environmental awareness with hearing aids (Avierinos et al. 2024). After receiving hearing aids, people also have a greater self-perceived increase in their quality of life, independence, and confidence in occupational settings (Kitterick & Ferguson 2018, Avierienos et al. 2024).

Some state Medicaid plans limit hearing aids to children and certain adults.

The Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) Program is a preventative health care service for beneficiaries under 21 in the Medicaid program (Medicaid n.a. a). States are required to provide EPSDT benefits (Medicaid n.a. a). Hearing-related benefits include (Medicaid n.a. a, b):

• Screening
• Diagnosis
• Hearing aids
• Replacement hearing aid batteries
• Cochlear implants

Twenty-five states and D.C. have no age or care facility limitations for hearing aids in their Medicaid plans (Figure 1). States with limitations, include:

• AL, AZ, AR, CO, ID, LA, TN, and WV do not cover hearing aids for people 21 and older.
• MO covers hearing aids for people under 21, adults in nursing facilities, as well as blind and pregnant adults.
• OK covers hearing aids for people under 21 and adults in nursing facilities.
• UT only covers hearing aids for adults who are pregnant but does not specify an age limit.
• GA does not cover hearing aids for those 18 and older, outside of EPSDT services.
• NC covers hearing aids for children 12 and older but does not provide an age range.
• CA has a hearing aid and services reimbursement cap, but pregnant women are not subject to the cap.
• HI does not cover hearing aids worn in both ears for people 21 and older and its policy states that adults are generally not covered, with no further specifications.
• NH covers hearing aids for those 21 and older if it is needed for educational or vocational purposes.
• RI covers hearing aids for adults under a certain income level.
• DE does not provide hearing aid coverage.

Figure 1. Medicaid hearing aid coverage by state. Hearing aid coverage is categorized by limitations based on residence in a nursing facility and age. Age limitations include coverage for certain adults, such as those who are blind or pregnant. For a full list of references for state Medicaid please go to this link (online version), or the URL at the bottom of this Science Note (paper version).

References

10 Code of Colo. Reg. § 2505-10 8.200 (2024). Link.

101 Code of Mass. Reg. § 323.00 (2023). Link.

AK Medicaid (2020) Recipient Handbook. AK Department of Health & Social Services. Link.

AL Medicaid (2024) Your Guide to Alabama Medicaid. Link.

Avierinos RJ, Beukes E, Manchaiah V, Oosthuizen I, le Roux T, Swanepoel DW (2024) Meaningful life changes following hearing aid use: a qualitative user perspective. International Journal of Audiology, 1-10. Link.

AR Department of Human Services (n.a.) Section II Hearing Services. Link

AZ Health Care Cost Containment System (2021) 310-JJ Orthotic and Prosthetic Devices. https://www.azahcccs.gov/shared/Downloads/MedicalPolicyManual/300/310-JJ.pdf.

Bessen S, Zhang W, Morales EEG, Akré EL, Reed NS (2024) Hearing aid use at the intersection of race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. JAMA Health Forum, 5(11): e243854. https://doi:10.1001/jamahealthforum.2024.3854.

Brodie A, Smith B, Ray J (2018) The impact of rehabilitation on quality of life after hearing loss: a systematic review. European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, 275: 2435-2440. Link.

Contrera KJ, Betz J, Li Lingsheng, Blake CR, Sung YK, Choi JS, Lin FR (2016) Quality of life after intervention with a cochlear implant or hearing aid. The Laryngoscope, 126(9): 2110-2115. https://doi.org/10.1002/lary.25848.

D.C. MedStar Family Choice (2020) Hearing Aid Coverage Administrative Policy and Procedure. Link.

DE Division of Medicaid & Medicare Assistance (2020) State Plan Under Title XIX of the Social Security Act. DE Health and Social Services. Link.

Division of Integrated Healthcare (2023) Utah Medical Provider Manual. UT Department of Health & Humans Services. Link.

FL Agency for Health Care Administration (n.a.) Hearing Services. Accessed January 21, 2025. Link.

GA Division of Family and Children Services (2020) Medicaid Policy Manual. https://odis.dhs.ga.gov/ViewDocument.aspx?docId=4001521&verId=1.

HI Med-QUEST (2011) Medicaid Provider Manual. State of Hawai’i Department of Human Servicesiow. Link

H.266, 2021-2022 Session (Vt. 2021). Link.

Humana (2025) Humana Healthy Horizons in South Carolina Member Handbook 2025. LInk.

Idaho Admin. Rules § 16.03.09 (2024). https://adminrules.idaho.gov/rules/current/16/160309.pdf.

IA Department of Human Services (2014) Audiologist and Hearing Aid Dispenser. https://hhs.iowa.gov/media/4309/download.

IN Health Coverage Programs (2023) Hearing Services. Indiana Family & Social Services Administration. https://www.in.gov/medicaid/providers/files/modules/hearing-services.pdf#page=10;zoom=100,116,306.

Kan. Admin. Reg. § 30-5-105 (2004). https://sos.ks.gov/publications/KAR/2022/2022_KAR_Volumes_Book_3.pdf.

Kitterick PT, Ferguson MA (2018) Hearing aids and health-related quality of life in adults with hearing loss. JAMA, 319(21): 2225-2226. https://doi:1001/jama.2018.5567.

LA Department of Health (2023) Hearing Aids Clinical Coverage Policy. Link.

Madans JH, Weeks JD, Elgaddal N (2021) Hearing difficulties among adults: United States, 2019. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db414-H.pdf.

ME Department of Labor (2023) Resource Guide: Hearing Aid Assistance. Accessed January 29, 2025. https://www.maine.gov/rehab/dod/resource_guide/hearing_aid_assistance.shtml.

Medicaid a (n.a.) Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment. Accessed January 30, 2025. Link.

Medicaid b (n.a.) Vision and Hearing Screening Services for Children and Adolescents. Accessed January 30, 2025. Link.

MI Department of Health and Human Services (2025) Medicaid Provider Manual. https://www.mdch.state.mi.us/dch-medicaid/manuals/MedicaidProviderManual.pdf.

Minn. Rules § 9505.0287 (2009). https://www.revisor.mn.gov/rules/pdf/9505.0287/2014-01-18%2008:56:20+00:00.

MO HealthNet (2023) Hearing Aid Manual. Department of Social Services. https://mydss.mo.gov/media/pdf/hearing-aid-manual.

MS Division of Medicaid (2015) Administrative Code. https://medicaid.ms.gov/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Admin-Code-Part-218.pdf.

MT Medicaid Provider (2023) Audiology and Hearing Aid Services Manual. MT Department of Public Health & Human Services. Accessed January 22, 2025. https://medicaidprovider.mt.gov/manuals/audiologyservicesandhearingaidservicesmanual.

NC Medicaid (2023) Hearing Aid Services. North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. https://medicaid.ncdhhs.gov/7-hearing-aid-services/download?attachment.

ND Health & Humans Services (2024) Durable Medical Equipment Manual. https://www.hhs.nd.gov/sites/www/files/documents/DME/policy-hearing-aids.pdf.

NE Medicaid (2024) Limitations – Services for Individuals with Speech, Hearing, and Language Disorders. NE Department of Health and Human Services. Link.

NH Medicaid (2017) Hearing Aid Services. NH Department of Health & Human Services. Link.

NM Human Services Department (n.a.) New Rule – New Mexico Health Care Authority. Link.

NV Medicaid (2021) Medicaid Service Manual Transmittal Letter. NV Department of Health and Human Services. Link.

NY State Medicaid Program (2022) Hearing aid/audiology services. NY Department of Health. https://www.emedny.org/ProviderManuals/HearingAid/PDFS/HearingAid_Policy_Guidelines.pdf.

RI Health and Human Services (n.a.) Hearing Aids. https://eohhs.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur226/files/Portals/0/Uploads/Documents/Hearing-Aids.pdf.

Ohio Admin. Code 5160 § 10-11 (2024). https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-5160-10-11.

Or. Admin. Rules § 410 129-0070 (2024). https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/viewSingleRule.action?ruleVrsnRsn=308478.

S1171, 221^st Legislature, 2024-2025 (N.J. 2024). https://legiscan.com/NJ/text/S1171/2024.

SD Medicaid (2024) Audiology Services. https://dss.sd.gov/docs/medicaid/providers/billingmanuals/Professional/Audiology_Services.pdf.

SoonerCare (2023) SoonerCare Traditional Benefits Guide. OK Health Care Authority. https://oklahoma.gov/ohca/individuals/mysoonercare/benefits-guides/soonercare-traditional.html.

TennCare (2024) Rules of the Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration Bureau of TennCare. https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/1200/1200-13/1200-13-13.20240807.pdf.

TX Medicaid & Healthcare Partnership (2020) Provider Procedures Manual: Vision and Hearing Services Handbook. TX Health and Human Services Commission. Link.

WA Health Care Authority (2024) Adult Hearing Benefit. Accessed January 29, 2025. https://www.hca.wa.gov/about-hca/programs-and-initiatives/apple-health-medicaid/adult-hearing-benefit.

WI ForwardHealth (n.a.) Hearing Handbook. https://www.forwardhealth.wi.gov/WIPortal/Subsystem/KW/Display.aspx?ia=1&p=1&sa=28&s=2&c=61.

WV Bureau for Medical Services (2015) Speech and Audiology Services. WV Department of Health & Human Resources. Link.