Hearing aid coverage and laws in Delaware

Delaware at a glance

Does Delaware Medicaid cover hearing aids?

We couldn't confirm Delaware Medicaid's current adult hearing aid policy. Call the state Medicaid agency to ask. Medicaid.gov lists every state's contact details. ^[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. ^[6]

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 Delaware require insurance to cover hearing aids?

Delaware requires state-regulated health plans to cover hearing aids for children only. Who's covered: dependents under 24. $1,000 per aid, per ear, every 3 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. ^[7] Ask HR whether your plan is fully insured or self-funded. More in our private insurance guide.

Delaware hearing aid trial period and return rights

We found no Delaware law requiring a hearing aid trial period, so get the return terms in writing. ^[3]

Consumer Reports says most states require at least a 30-day trial for prescription hearing aids. ^[8] NIDCD notes that most makers allow 30 to 60 days and suggests asking which fees aren't refundable. ^[9] 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. ^[10]

Free amplified and captioned phones in Delaware

Telecommunications and Accessibility Equipment Program (Delaware Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing). For Delaware residents who are deaf, hard of hearing, DeafBlind or have a speech disability. Provides alerting equipment such as flashing smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and bed shakers. ^[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 Delaware

• Delaware Board of Speech/Language Pathologists, Audiologists and Hearing Aid Dispensers: audiologists and hearing aid dispensers ^[5]

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 Delaware

• Medicare. Original Medicare doesn't pay for hearing aids. ^[11] 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. ^[12] 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 Delaware rules with typical prices.

Find hearing care in Delaware

The directory lists 50 hearing care providers in Delaware, with 40 audiologists registered at those addresses. By our count of the federal registry, Delaware has 3.8 audiologists per 100,000 residents, which ranks #39 of 51.

Cities with the most listings: Newark, Wilmington, Lewes, Dover, Seaford, Millville. Or browse every Delaware hearing clinic.