Does Kaiser Permanente Cover Hearing Aids?

Christian Worstell
In this article...
  • Discover whether Kaiser Permanente covers hearing aids. Explore some potential hearing care benefits, and find out if the company offers plans in your state.

Yes - some Kaiser Permanente plans offer coverage for hearing aids, but this benefit is limited to certain individual and employer-sponsored plans. Kaiser Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) plans don't typically include hearing coverage. However, you may be able to add the Kaiser Advantage Plus program to your Kaiser Medicare plan for an extra monthly fee. It enables you to add on benefits including hearing, eyewear and dental.

Learn more about your Medicare Advantage plan options by requesting a free plan comparison or calling a licensed insurance agent to compare Kaiser Medicare plans available where you live.

Have Medicare questions?

Talk to a licensed agent today to find a plan that fits your needs.

What Hearing Aid Coverage Does Kaiser Permanente Offer?

Specific hearing aid coverage can vary between plans; your benefits may also change based on where you live. Kaiser Permanente plans with hearing coverage aren't available in all states. To find specific benefits, check the fine print in your quote.

Some of the hearing benefits that Kaiser Permanente may offer:

  • Audiologic evaluation
    Some plans offer free or discounted hearing exams.

  • Hearing aids
    If your plan has hearing aid coverage, it usually includes the device and standard accessories. Depending on the brand and price, you may be responsible for a co-pay.

  • Evaluation period
    Your plan may allow you to try out a hearing aid for a few weeks before you commit.

  • Follow-up care
    These appointments usually involve adjustments to hearing aids or reevaluation of your hearing needs.

As with most insurance plans, hearing aid coverage is usually limited to a specific dollar amount; you may also be covered for one pair of hearing aids for a set period of time. Coverage amounts vary widely.

For example, one Kaiser Permanente plan may offer free hearing exams but does not cover hearing aids. Another Kaiser plan may offer an allowance for new hearing aids every three years. 

Kaiser logo

How To Use Kaiser Permanente Hearing Aid Coverage

If your Kaiser Permanente plan covers hearing aids, you'll need to start with a hearing test. The company may require you to visit a Kaiser Permanente Hearing Center or an affiliated provider for the test.

After your initial hearing evaluation, you can expect a variation of the following process:

  • Getting medical clearance from your primary physician.
    Typically, your doctor will verify that there are no other medical options to improve your hearing. 

  • Meeting with an audiologist.
    During this appointment, the audiologist will determine which hearing aid style meets your needs.

  • Fitting appointment
    After your hearing aids arrive, you'll meet with the audiologist again for fitting, programming and adjusting.

  • Follow-up care
    This appointment happens a few weeks after you start wearing the hearing aids. It's an opportunity to ask questions, voice concerns and request any additional adjustments to improve your experience.

Does Kaiser Permanente Pay for Hearing Aids in My Area?

Kaiser Permanente plans are only available in the District of Columbia and eight states: California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Oregon, Virginia and Washington. The company's hearing care benefits aren't the same in every city and state.

What Kinds of Hearing Aids Does Kaiser Permanente Cover?

Covered brands and models depend on your Kaiser Permanente plan. Styles may include:

  • In-ear
  • In the ear canal
  • Behind the ear
  • On the body
  • On the temple of your eyeglasses

In terms of brands and features, you may be limited by the terms of your plan. Check the benefits statement for details.

Christian Worstell
About the Author

Christian Worstell is a senior Medicare and health insurance writer with HelpAdivsor.com. He is also a licensed health insurance agent. Christian is well-known in the insurance industry for the thousands of educational articles he’s written, helping Americans better understand their health insurance and Medicare coverage.

Christian’s work as a Medicare expert has appeared in several top-tier and trade news outlets including Forbes, MarketWatch, WebMD and Yahoo! Finance.

While at HelpAdvisor, Christian has written hundreds of articles that teach Medicare beneficiaries the best practices for navigating Medicare. His articles are read by thousands of older Americans each month. By better understanding their health care coverage, readers may hopefully learn how to limit their out-of-pocket Medicare spending and access quality medical care.

Christian’s passion for his role stems from his desire to make a difference in the senior community. He strongly believes that the more beneficiaries know about their Medicare coverage, the better their overall health and wellness is as a result.

A current resident of Raleigh, Christian is a graduate of Shippensburg University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. You can find Christian’s most recent articles in our blog.

If you’re a member of the media looking to connect with Christian, please don’t hesitate to email our public relations team at Mike@MyHelpAdvisor.com.

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