Hearing aid coverage and laws in Maryland

Maryland at a glance

Does Maryland Medicaid cover hearing aids?

Maryland Medicaid covers hearing aids for adults who meet its rules. Preauthorization required; replacement every 5 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. ^[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 Maryland require insurance to cover hearing aids?

Maryland requires state-regulated health plans to cover hearing aids for adults. Who's covered: adults (a separate law covers children). Plans may cap at $1,400 per aid, per ear, every 36 months. Applies only to fully insured large group plans and some individual plans that began before 2011. ^[2][3]

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.

Maryland hearing aid trial period and return rights

You can cancel within 30 days of delivery for any reason. The seller can keep 10% of the price (up to 20% for listed costs) plus what you paid for hearing tests. ^[4]

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 Maryland

Maryland Accessible Telecommunications (MAT). Free landline phones or tablets for eligible Maryland residents. A doctor, audiologist or other qualified professional must complete a disability certification. ^[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 Maryland

• Maryland Board of Examiners for Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers, Speech-Language Pathologists and Music Therapists: 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.

Other ways to pay for hearing aids in Maryland

• 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 Maryland rules with typical prices.

Find hearing care in Maryland

The directory lists 325 hearing care providers in Maryland, with 417 audiologists registered at those addresses. By our count of the federal registry, Maryland has 5.9 audiologists per 100,000 residents, which ranks #7 of 51.

Cities with the most listings: Baltimore, Rockville, Columbia, Silver Spring, Annapolis, Hagerstown, Bethesda, Bel Air, Gaithersburg, Bowie. Or browse every Maryland hearing clinic.