Hearing aid coverage and laws in Maine

Maine at a glance

Does Maine Medicaid cover hearing aids?

Maine Medicaid covers hearing aids for adults who meet its rules. One aid or replacement pair every 5 years; prior authorization. ^[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 Maine require insurance to cover hearing aids?

Maine requires state-regulated health plans to cover hearing aids for adults. Who's covered: all ages. Plans may cap at $3,000 per aid, per ear, every 36 months. ^[2]

The rule applies to plans issued or renewed from 2020. 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. ^[8] Ask HR whether your plan is fully insured or self-funded. More in our private insurance guide.

Maine hearing aid trial period and return rights

You get 30 days from delivery to cancel for a full refund, minus reasonable ear mold and lab fees. With a written note from a doctor or audiologist saying the aids won't help, you have 60 days. ^[3]

Consumer Reports says most states require at least a 30-day trial for prescription hearing aids. ^[9] NIDCD notes that most makers allow 30 to 60 days and suggests asking which fees aren't refundable. ^[10] 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. ^[11]

Free amplified and captioned phones in Maine

Maine Telecommunications Equipment Program (TEP). Maine's state phone equipment program, run by Disability Rights Maine. Call 800-639-3884 to ask about eligibility and equipment. ^[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 Maine

• Maine Board of Speech, Audiology and Hearing: audiologists and hearing aid dispensers ^[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 Maine

• Medicare. Original Medicare doesn't pay for hearing aids. ^[12] 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. ^[13] 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 Maine rules with typical prices.

Find hearing care in Maine

The directory lists 81 hearing care providers in Maine, with 77 audiologists registered at those addresses. By our count of the federal registry, Maine has 5.1 audiologists per 100,000 residents, which ranks #15 of 51.

Cities with the most listings: Portland, Augusta, Bangor, Waterville, Belfast, Biddeford, Scarborough, South Portland, Lewiston, Windham. Or browse every Maine hearing clinic.