Hearing aid coverage and laws in Oregon

Oregon at a glance

Does Oregon Medicaid cover hearing aids?

Oregon Medicaid covers hearing aids for adults who meet its rules. A pair every 5 years; loss of 35 dB or more. ^[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 Oregon require insurance to cover hearing aids?

Oregon requires state-regulated health plans to cover hearing aids for children only. Who's covered: 18 and under; 19 to 25 if in school. One hearing aid per ear 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.

Oregon hearing aid trial period and return rights

You have 30 days to cancel. Audiologists must take returns for any reason; hearing aid specialists only for set reasons, like a doctor advising against the aid. Sellers may keep the lesser of 10% or $250 per aid. ^[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 Oregon

Oregon Telecommunication Devices Access Program (TDAP). Oregon residents 4 and older with a certified hearing, vision, speech, mobility or cognitive disability can borrow amplified or captioned phones at no cost, with no income limit. ^[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 Oregon

• Oregon Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology: audiologists ^[5]
• Oregon Health Licensing Office, Advisory Council on Hearing Aids: 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 Oregon

• 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 Oregon rules with typical prices.

Find hearing care in Oregon

The directory lists 210 hearing care providers in Oregon, with 162 audiologists registered at those addresses. By our count of the federal registry, Oregon has 4.9 audiologists per 100,000 residents, which ranks #20 of 51.

Cities with the most listings: Portland, Salem, Eugene, Bend, Beaverton, Clackamas, Corvallis, La Grande, Oregon City, Tigard. Or browse every Oregon hearing clinic.