Hearing aid coverage and laws in South Carolina

South Carolina at a glance

Does South Carolina Medicaid cover hearing aids?

South Carolina Medicaid covers hearing aids for some adults only. Adults only in two disability waivers. ^[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 South Carolina require insurance to cover hearing aids?

South Carolina 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.

South Carolina hearing aid trial period and return rights

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

South Carolina Equipment Distribution Program (SCEDP). No-cost amplified phones and alerting devices for South Carolina residents who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind or speech challenged. There are no income limits. ^[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 South Carolina

• South Carolina Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology: audiologists ^[6]
• South Carolina Department of Public Health, Hearing Aid Specialist Licensing: 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 South Carolina

• 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 South Carolina rules with typical prices.

Find hearing care in South Carolina

The directory lists 246 hearing care providers in South Carolina, with 165 audiologists registered at those addresses. By our count of the federal registry, South Carolina has 3.7 audiologists per 100,000 residents, which ranks #44 of 51.

Cities with the most listings: Columbia, Greenville, Myrtle Beach, Charleston, Aiken, Mount Pleasant, Anderson, Bluffton, Florence, Summerville. Or browse every South Carolina hearing clinic.