Hearing aid coverage and laws in District of Columbia

District of Columbia at a glance

Does District of Columbia Medicaid cover hearing aids?

We couldn't confirm District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia require insurance to cover hearing aids?

District of Columbia 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. ^[7] Ask HR whether your plan is fully insured or self-funded. More in our private insurance guide.

District of Columbia hearing aid trial period and return rights

You get 30 days to return hearing aids in the same condition. You get back what you paid for the aids and accessories, minus a service charge of no more than 5%. ^[4]

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]

Who licenses hearing care providers in District of Columbia

• DC Board of Rehabilitative Therapies (Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Licensing), DC Health: audiologists ^[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 District of Columbia

• 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 District of Columbia rules with typical prices.

Find hearing care in District of Columbia

The directory lists 24 hearing care providers in District of Columbia, with 47 audiologists registered at those addresses. By our count of the federal registry, District of Columbia has 7.9 audiologists per 100,000 residents, which ranks #1 of 51.

Cities with the most listings: Washington. Or browse every District of Columbia hearing clinic.