Hearing aid coverage and laws in Florida

Florida at a glance

Does Florida Medicaid cover hearing aids?

Florida Medicaid covers hearing aids for adults who meet its rules. Moderate or greater loss; one new aid per ear every 3 years. ^[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 Florida require insurance to cover hearing aids?

Florida 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.

Florida hearing aid trial period and return rights

You get 30 days after you receive prescription hearing aids to return them for a refund. The seller can keep earmold and fitting charges plus a cancellation fee set by state rule. Repair time does not count. ^[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 Florida

Florida Telecommunications Relay, Inc. (FTRI) equipment program. Free specialized phones and communication equipment for Florida residents age 3 and older with a certified hearing or speech condition. ^[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 Florida

• Florida Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology: audiologists ^[6]
• Florida Board of Hearing Aid Specialists: 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 Florida

• 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 Florida rules with typical prices.

Find hearing care in Florida

The directory lists 1,285 hearing care providers in Florida, with 738 audiologists registered at those addresses. By our count of the federal registry, Florida has 3.9 audiologists per 100,000 residents, which ranks #37 of 51.

Cities with the most listings: Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando, Sarasota, Miami, Ocala, Naples, Pensacola, The Villages, Boca Raton. Or browse every Florida hearing clinic.