Does Medicare cover a hearing test?
Medicare Part B covers a diagnostic hearing test when your doctor orders it to diagnose a medical problem, but not routine hearing exams for fitting hearing aids.
What flips the answer
- Covered when
Your doctor orders the test to diagnose a medical condition — Part B covers it at 20% coinsurance after the deductible.
- Covered when
You have a Medicare Advantage plan that includes a routine hearing benefit — exams (and often a hearing aid allowance) may be covered.
- Not covered when
It's a routine hearing exam or a test done to fit or sell hearing aids — Original Medicare doesn't cover it.
Part B covers diagnostic hearing and balance exams when a physician or other provider orders them because you have a specific medical reason — for example, sudden hearing loss, dizziness, or a suspected ear condition. For a covered test, you pay 20% coinsurance after the Part B deductible.
As of recent rules, you can also see an audiologist without a doctor's order for certain non-acute hearing conditions and have that diagnostic test covered by Part B, once per year.
What Original Medicare doesn't cover is routine hearing exams and the hearing tests done specifically to fit or sell hearing aids — and it doesn't cover the hearing aids themselves. Many Medicare Advantage plans add routine hearing exams and a hearing aid allowance.
That's the general answer. Yours is written in your actual policy.
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