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Congress·In Committee·H.R. 500

Congress Proposes Medicare Coverage for Hearing Aids and Hearing Exams Starting in 2026

Medicare Hearing Aid Coverage Act of 2025

about 1 year ago·View on Congress.gov
⏸

Stalled

No legislative action in over 90 days.

Legislative Progress

House
Senate
President
Law

Key Points

  • Congress would remove Medicare’s current rule that excludes hearing aids and the exams needed to get them.
  • If passed, Medicare could start covering hearing aids and related hearing exams for services provided on or after Jan. 1, 2026.
  • This could lower out-of-pocket costs for older adults and people with disabilities who rely on Medicare and need hearing help.
  • The Government Accountability Office would study hearing aid help programs (including federal programs and insurance) and report back to Congress.
  • The study is meant to show how many people need hearing aids, who is covered today, and what changes could improve access.
HealthcareMedicare Medicaid

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

How this policy affects specific groups of people

Mixed Impacts(1)
Small Business Owner
Neutral
Positive Impacts(5)
Retiree
Helps
Medicare
Helps
Disability Benefits
Helps
Chronic Illness
Helps
Sensory Disability
Helps

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Jan 16, 2025House

Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Jan 16, 2025

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

2026-01-01

Medicare’s blanket exclusion for hearing aids and related exams would no longer apply for services provided on or after Jan 1, 2026 (if the bill becomes law).

Medicare patients could begin seeking covered hearing exams and hearing aids under Medicare rules, which could lower what they pay out of pocket compared with today.

2027-07-01

GAO submits its report to Congress no later than 18 months after Jan 1, 2026.

Congress would get recommendations that could lead to follow-up bills or program changes that expand, limit, or redesign hearing-aid help.

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Medicare Hearing Aid Coverage Act of 2025

Bill NumberHR 500
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(26)
D: 24R: 2

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.