Hearing aid coverage and laws in Alabama

Alabama at a glance

Does Alabama Medicaid cover hearing aids?

Alabama Medicaid covers hearing aids for children, not adults. Children under 21 only. ^[1]

Children and young adults under 21 are a different case. Medicaid's EPSDT benefit requires states to cover the care they need, which includes hearing aids. ^[8]

If you get Medicaid through a managed care plan, ask the plan how hearing aid approvals work and which providers it uses. Our state-by-state Medicaid guide explains how the benefit usually works.

Does Alabama require insurance to cover hearing aids?

Alabama has no law requiring private health plans to cover hearing aids. ^[2][3]

State mandates only reach fully insured plans, the kind bought from an insurance company. Self-funded employer plans follow federal ERISA law instead, so a state mandate may not apply to your job's plan. ^[10] Ask HR whether your plan is fully insured or self-funded. More in our private insurance guide.

Alabama hearing aid trial period and return rights

We found no Alabama law requiring a hearing aid trial period, so get the return terms in writing. ^[4]

Consumer Reports says most states require at least a 30-day trial for prescription hearing aids. ^[11] NIDCD notes that most makers allow 30 to 60 days and suggests asking which fees aren't refundable. ^[12] Whatever the law, put the trial length, fees and warranty on the purchase agreement.

Over-the-counter hearing aids follow federal rules: the maker must print its return policy on the package, or say it has none. ^[13]

Free amplified and captioned phones in Alabama

Alabama Telecommunications Access Program (ATAP). Free specialized phones for Alabama residents who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind or speech-disabled, have phone service and meet household income limits. ^[5]

These programs are separate from hearing aid coverage. They can help even if you already wear hearing aids.

Who licenses hearing care providers in Alabama

• Alabama Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology: audiologists ^[6]
• Alabama Board of Hearing Instrument Dealers: hearing aid dispensers ^[7]

Use the board to check that a provider's license is current, or to file a complaint about a sale or a refund.

Other ways to pay for hearing aids in Alabama

• Medicare. Original Medicare doesn't pay for hearing aids. ^[14] Some Medicare Advantage plans add a hearing benefit, usually through a network. See Medicare and hearing aids and how Medicare Advantage hearing networks work.
• VA. Eligible veterans can get hearing aids through VA health care. ^[15] See hearing aids through the VA.
• Lower-cost options. OTC hearing aids, warehouse clubs, nonprofit programs and university clinics. See free and low-cost hearing aids and what hearing aids cost.
• Estimate your cost. The hearing aid cost estimator combines these Alabama rules with typical prices.

Find hearing care in Alabama

The directory lists 234 hearing care providers in Alabama, with 210 audiologists registered at those addresses. By our count of the federal registry, Alabama has 3.4 audiologists per 100,000 residents, which ranks #46 of 51.

Cities with the most listings: Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile, Dothan, Montgomery, Tuscaloosa, Auburn, Decatur, Florence, Foley. Or browse every Alabama hearing clinic.