Hearing aid coverage and laws in North Dakota

North Dakota at a glance

Does North Dakota Medicaid cover hearing aids?

North Dakota Medicaid covers hearing aids for adults who meet its rules. Service authorization; average loss of 40 dB or more; replacement after 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. ^[8]

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 North Dakota require insurance to cover hearing aids?

North Dakota 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. ^[10] Ask HR whether your plan is fully insured or self-funded. More in our private insurance guide.

North Dakota hearing aid trial period and return rights

You get 30 days from delivery to return hearing aids for a refund, minus a usage fee set in writing (or up to $2 a day per aid if none was set). Testing and earmold fees may be kept. ^[4]

Consumer Reports says most states require at least a 30-day trial for prescription hearing aids. ^[11] NIDCD notes that most makers allow 30 to 60 days and suggests asking which fees aren't refundable. ^[12] 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. ^[13]

Free amplified and captioned phones in North Dakota

North Dakota Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Services (TEDS), Specialized Phone Program. North Dakota residents with severe hearing, speech or physical impairments who meet income rules can get amplified or captioned phones and ring signalers. ^[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 North Dakota

• North Dakota State Board of Examiners on Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology: audiologists ^[6]
• North Dakota Board of Hearing Aid Specialists: hearing aid dispensers ^[7]

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 North Dakota

• Medicare. Original Medicare doesn't pay for hearing aids. ^[14] 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. ^[15] 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 North Dakota rules with typical prices.

Find hearing care in North Dakota

The directory lists 35 hearing care providers in North Dakota, with 35 audiologists registered at those addresses. By our count of the federal registry, North Dakota has 4.9 audiologists per 100,000 residents, which ranks #19 of 51.

Cities with the most listings: Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks, Jamestown, Dickinson, Minot, West Fargo. Or browse every North Dakota hearing clinic.