Hearing aid coverage and laws in Illinois

Illinois at a glance

Does Illinois Medicaid cover hearing aids?

Illinois Medicaid covers hearing aids for adults who meet its rules. Must meet hearing-loss thresholds; referral required. ^[1]

The official source sets hearing aid rules without an age limit rather than naming adults outright.

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 Illinois require insurance to cover hearing aids?

Illinois requires state-regulated health plans to cover hearing aids for adults. Who's covered: all ages. One hearing aid per ear every 36 months, plus related services. ^[2]

The rule applies to plans issued or renewed from Jan. 1, 2025. Your benefit starts when your plan renews.

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.

Illinois hearing aid trial period and return rights

You get 30 business days from delivery to return hearing aids for a refund. Weekends and federal holidays don't count. The seller can keep a dispensing or restocking fee only if it is written on your receipt. ^[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 Illinois

Illinois Telecommunications Access Corporation (ITAC) Free Equipment Program. Free phone equipment for Illinois residents with landline or cell service whose medical professional signs that they can't use a standard phone. ^[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 Illinois

• Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology): audiologists ^[5]
• Illinois Department of Public Health, Hearing Instrument Consumer Protection Program: 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 Illinois

• 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 Illinois rules with typical prices.

Find hearing care in Illinois

The directory lists 589 hearing care providers in Illinois, with 463 audiologists registered at those addresses. By our count of the federal registry, Illinois has 4.2 audiologists per 100,000 residents, which ranks #31 of 51.

Cities with the most listings: Chicago, Rockford, Peoria, Naperville, Springfield, Joliet, Quincy, Bloomington, Decatur, Downers Grove. Or browse every Illinois hearing clinic.