House Bill Would Add Hearing Aids and Rehab Services to Medicare Coverage

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.

Introduced in House

Medicare coverage for hearing rehabilitation is set up in law once the Act is enacted

This is the starting gun for Medicare to build the new benefit, but people still may not get covered hearing aids right away until the start date the Health and Human Services Secretary picks.

Health and Human Services sets the official start date for covering hearing aids and related hearing services

This decision controls when Medicare beneficiaries can actually begin getting prescription hearing aids and the related testing/fitting covered under the new rules.

Replacement timing rule begins to matter for repeat users (generally not more often than every 3 years)

If you already received covered hearing aids, Medicare will usually expect you to wait about 3 years before covering another set, unless your hearing worsens and Medicare’s criteria for a different type are met.