Hearing aid coverage and laws in Massachusetts

Massachusetts at a glance

Does Massachusetts Medicaid cover hearing aids?

Massachusetts Medicaid covers hearing aids for adults who meet its rules. One aid per ear per 60 months without 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. ^[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 Massachusetts require insurance to cover hearing aids?

Massachusetts requires state-regulated health plans to cover hearing aids for children only. Who's covered: 21 and under. $2,000 per aid 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. ^[9] Ask HR whether your plan is fully insured or self-funded. More in our private insurance guide.

Massachusetts hearing aid trial period and return rights

Hearing instrument specialists must give you 30 days from receipt to return hearing aids. They can keep up to 20% for ear molds and fitting. Days in the shop for repairs don't count. ^[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 Massachusetts

Massachusetts Equipment Distribution Program (MassEDP). Specialized landline or wireless phones for Massachusetts residents with permanent disabilities, including hearing loss. Free or reduced cost depending on income. ^[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 Massachusetts

• Massachusetts Board of Registration for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology: audiologists ^[5]
• Massachusetts Board of Registration of Hearing Instrument Specialists: 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 Massachusetts

• 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 Massachusetts rules with typical prices.

Find hearing care in Massachusetts

The directory lists 270 hearing care providers in Massachusetts, with 335 audiologists registered at those addresses. By our count of the federal registry, Massachusetts has 5.7 audiologists per 100,000 residents, which ranks #9 of 51.

Cities with the most listings: Boston, Milford, Worcester, Burlington, Framingham, Marlborough, Medford, Orleans, Plymouth, Springfield. Or browse every Massachusetts hearing clinic.