Hearing aid coverage and laws in Alaska

Alaska at a glance

Does Alaska Medicaid cover hearing aids?

Alaska Medicaid covers hearing aids for adults who meet its rules. One aid per ear every 3 years; prior authorization for some items. ^[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 Alaska require insurance to cover hearing aids?

Alaska 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.

Alaska hearing aid trial period and return rights

You can cancel within 30 days of getting the hearing aid or the cancel notice, whichever is later. The seller can keep 10% of the price per 30 days you had it, plus earmold costs, up to your down payment. ^[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 Alaska

Alaska Relay Telecommunications Equipment and Tablet Distribution Program (TEDP). Free amplified phones, tablets and signalers for Alaska residents with significant hearing loss or a speech disability, certified by a doctor, audiologist or other professional. ^[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 Alaska

• Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing: Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathologist Program: audiologists ^[6]
• Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing: Hearing Aid Dealers Program: 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 Alaska

• 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 Alaska rules with typical prices.

Find hearing care in Alaska

The directory lists 39 hearing care providers in Alaska, with 32 audiologists registered at those addresses. By our count of the federal registry, Alaska has 6.0 audiologists per 100,000 residents, which ranks #6 of 51.

Cities with the most listings: Anchorage, Fairbanks. Or browse every Alaska hearing clinic.