Hearing aid coverage and laws in Colorado

Colorado at a glance

Does Colorado Medicaid cover hearing aids?

Colorado Medicaid covers hearing aids for some adults only. Adults only if on the Supported Living Services waiver. ^[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. ^[7]

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 Colorado require insurance to cover hearing aids?

Colorado requires state-regulated health plans to cover hearing aids for children only. Who's covered: minor children. Initial aids, with replacements no more often than every 5 years. ^[2]

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. ^[9] Ask HR whether your plan is fully insured or self-funded. More in our private insurance guide.

Colorado hearing aid trial period and return rights

You get at least 30 days to cancel in writing and return hearing aids for a full refund, paid within 30 days. The clock pauses while the seller has the aids, such as for repair. ^[3]

Consumer Reports says most states require at least a 30-day trial for prescription hearing aids. ^[10] NIDCD notes that most makers allow 30 to 60 days and suggests asking which fees aren't refundable. ^[11] 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. ^[12]

Free amplified and captioned phones in Colorado

Communications Technology Program (CTP), SENSE Colorado. Free amplified and captioned phones, tablets, alerting devices and amplifiers for people who are deaf, hard of hearing or DeafBlind with household income under 400% of federal poverty guidelines. ^[4]

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

Who licenses hearing care providers in Colorado

• Colorado Office of Audiology Licensure (DORA Division of Professions and Occupations): audiologists ^[5]
• Colorado Office of Hearing Aid Provider Licensure (DORA Division of Professions and Occupations): hearing aid dispensers ^[6]

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 Colorado

• Medicare. Original Medicare doesn't pay for hearing aids. ^[13] 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. ^[14] 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 Colorado rules with typical prices.

Find hearing care in Colorado

The directory lists 343 hearing care providers in Colorado, with 389 audiologists registered at those addresses. By our count of the federal registry, Colorado has 7.6 audiologists per 100,000 residents, which ranks #2 of 51.

Cities with the most listings: Colorado Springs, Denver, Aurora, Lakewood, Fort Collins, Greeley, Loveland, Boulder, Grand Junction, Littleton. Or browse every Colorado hearing clinic.