Hearing aid coverage and laws in Minnesota

Minnesota at a glance

Does Minnesota Medicaid cover hearing aids?

Minnesota Medicaid covers hearing aids for adults who meet its rules. One aid or pair every 5 years; state-contract models. ^[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 Minnesota require insurance to cover hearing aids?

Minnesota requires state-regulated health plans to cover hearing aids for adults. Who's covered: all ages. One hearing aid per ear every 3 years. ^[2]

The rule applies to plans issued or renewed from July 1, 2023. 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.

Minnesota hearing aid trial period and return rights

You get 45 days to return prescription hearing aids for any reason. The seller can keep up to $250. Days the aids spend in repair 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 Minnesota

Minnesota Access to Communication Technology (MN ACT). Free amplified phones, captioned phones and other devices for people who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing or have a physical or speech disability that makes phone use hard. ^[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 Minnesota

• Minnesota Department of Health, Speech-Language Pathologist and Audiologist Licensing: audiologists ^[5]
• Minnesota Department of Health, Hearing Instrument Dispenser Certification: 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 Minnesota

• 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 Minnesota rules with typical prices.

Find hearing care in Minnesota

The directory lists 293 hearing care providers in Minnesota, with 215 audiologists registered at those addresses. By our count of the federal registry, Minnesota has 6.5 audiologists per 100,000 residents, which ranks #4 of 51.

Cities with the most listings: Edina, Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Eden Prairie, Plymouth, Saint Cloud, Mankato, Alexandria, Bloomington, Burnsville. Or browse every Minnesota hearing clinic.