Hearing aid coverage and laws in Louisiana

Louisiana at a glance

Does Louisiana Medicaid cover hearing aids?

Louisiana Medicaid covers hearing aids for children, not adults. Under 21 only. ^[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 Louisiana require insurance to cover hearing aids?

Louisiana requires state-regulated health plans to cover hearing aids for children only. Who's covered: under 18. $1,400 per aid, per ear, every 36 months. ^[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. ^[10] Ask HR whether your plan is fully insured or self-funded. More in our private insurance guide.

Louisiana hearing aid trial period and return rights

You get 30 days to return hearing aids that don't work for you, minus a fee of up to 15%. Time the aid is back with the seller doesn't count. Or cancel within 3 business days of ordering, free. ^[3]

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 Louisiana

Louisiana Commission for the Deaf Telecommunications Equipment Program. Free amplified and captioned phones and alert devices for Louisiana residents with a documented hearing loss. Apply through a Regional Service Center. ^[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 Louisiana

• Louisiana Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology: audiologists ^[5]
• Louisiana Board for Hearing Aid Dealers: 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.

Louisiana hearing aid programs

• Louisiana Commission for the Deaf Hearing Aid Program. Free hearing aids for some Louisiana residents age 50 and older with a 40 dB or worse hearing loss who meet income limits. ^[7]

Other ways to pay for hearing aids in Louisiana

• 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 Louisiana rules with typical prices.

Find hearing care in Louisiana

The directory lists 202 hearing care providers in Louisiana, with 194 audiologists registered at those addresses. By our count of the federal registry, Louisiana has 4.2 audiologists per 100,000 residents, which ranks #32 of 51.

Cities with the most listings: Lafayette, Baton Rouge, Metairie, New Orleans, Lake Charles, Hammond, Shreveport, Monroe, Abbeville, Covington. Or browse every Louisiana hearing clinic.