Hearing aid coverage and laws in Tennessee

Tennessee at a glance

Does Tennessee Medicaid cover hearing aids?

Tennessee Medicaid covers hearing aids for children, not adults. Excluded except for children under 21. ^[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 Tennessee require insurance to cover hearing aids?

Tennessee requires state-regulated health plans to cover hearing aids for children only. Who's covered: under 18. $1,000 per aid, per ear, every 3 years. ^[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.

Tennessee hearing aid trial period and return rights

First-time buyers get 30 days from delivery to return hearing aids for any reason. The seller can keep reasonable charges for the aids and services, which must be listed on the bill of sale. ^[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 Tennessee

Telecommunications Devices Access Program (TDAP). Assistive phone devices for permanent Tennessee residents whose disability, certified by a Tennessee-licensed physician, keeps them from using a regular phone. ^[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 Tennessee

• Tennessee Board of Communication Disorders and Sciences: audiologists ^[6]
• Tennessee Council for Hearing Instrument 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 Tennessee

• 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 Tennessee rules with typical prices.

Find hearing care in Tennessee

The directory lists 289 hearing care providers in Tennessee, with 284 audiologists registered at those addresses. By our count of the federal registry, Tennessee has 5.4 audiologists per 100,000 residents, which ranks #12 of 51.

Cities with the most listings: Nashville, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis, Franklin, Murfreesboro, Kingsport, Clarksville, Crossville, Hendersonville. Or browse every Tennessee hearing clinic.