Hearing aid coverage and laws in Montana

Montana at a glance

Does Montana Medicaid cover hearing aids?

Montana Medicaid covers hearing aids for adults who meet its rules. Prior authorization; average loss of 40 dB or more in the better ear. ^[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 Montana require insurance to cover hearing aids?

Montana requires state-regulated health plans to cover hearing aids for children only. Who's covered: 18 and under. One device per ear every 3 years. ^[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.

Montana hearing aid trial period and return rights

We found no Montana law requiring a hearing aid trial period, so get the return terms in writing. ^[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 Montana

Montana Accessible Communications (MTAC). Montana residents age 5 and up with hearing, speech or mobility difficulties and household income under 250% of the federal poverty level can borrow phones and signalers at no cost. ^[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 Montana

• Montana Board of Physical, Rehabilitative, and Developmental Health Care Professionals: audiologists ^[5]
• Montana Hearing Aid Dispenser Program (Department of Labor & Industry): 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 Montana

• 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 Montana rules with typical prices.

Find hearing care in Montana

The directory lists 88 hearing care providers in Montana, with 70 audiologists registered at those addresses. By our count of the federal registry, Montana has 5.6 audiologists per 100,000 residents, which ranks #10 of 51.

Cities with the most listings: Billings, Great Falls, Kalispell, Missoula, Bozeman, Helena, Hamilton, Butte, Havre. Or browse every Montana hearing clinic.