Hearing aid coverage and laws in Georgia

Georgia at a glance

Does Georgia Medicaid cover hearing aids?

Georgia Medicaid covers hearing aids for some adults only. No first hearing aid at 21 or older; repairs and replacements only if first fitted before 21. ^[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 Georgia require insurance to cover hearing aids?

Georgia requires state-regulated health plans to cover hearing aids for children only. Who's covered: 18 and under. $3,000 per ear every 48 months. ^[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.

Georgia hearing aid trial period and return rights

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

Georgia Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program (GATEDP). Free amplified phones, captioned phones and alerting devices for qualified Georgia residents who are Deaf, hard of hearing, DeafBlind or have a speech disability. ^[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 Georgia

• Georgia State Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, and Hearing Aid Dispensing: audiologists and 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.

Georgia hearing aid programs

• Georgia Hearing Aid Distribution Program. Hearing aids for Georgia residents of at least one year with income up to 200% of the federal poverty level, or 400% for children. Needs a licensed provider's recommendation. ^[7]

Other ways to pay for hearing aids in Georgia

• 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 Georgia rules with typical prices.

Find hearing care in Georgia

The directory lists 442 hearing care providers in Georgia, with 308 audiologists registered at those addresses. By our count of the federal registry, Georgia has 3.3 audiologists per 100,000 residents, which ranks #47 of 51.

Cities with the most listings: Atlanta, Savannah, Marietta, Columbus, Macon, Athens, Alpharetta, Gainesville, Cumming, Augusta. Or browse every Georgia hearing clinic.