Hearing aid coverage and laws in New York

New York at a glance

Does New York Medicaid cover hearing aids?

New York Medicaid covers hearing aids for adults who meet its rules. Loss of 30 dB or more in the better ear; prior approval for two aids. ^[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 New York require insurance to cover hearing aids?

New York has no law requiring private health plans to cover hearing aids. ^[2][3]

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.

New York hearing aid trial period and return rights

You get 45 days to return hearing aids under a written money-back guarantee. Most sellers can keep up to 10% of the price. The clock pauses while the seller has your aid. ^[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]

Who licenses hearing care providers in New York

• New York State Board for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (NYSED Office of the Professions): audiologists ^[5]
• New York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services (Hearing Aid Dispensers): 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 New York

• 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 New York rules with typical prices.

Find hearing care in New York

The directory lists 831 hearing care providers in New York, with 930 audiologists registered at those addresses. By our count of the federal registry, New York has 4.7 audiologists per 100,000 residents, which ranks #23 of 51.

Cities with the most listings: New York, Brooklyn, Rochester, Bronx, Albany, Flushing, Staten Island, Syracuse, Forest Hills, Great Neck. Or browse every New York hearing clinic.