Hearing aid coverage and laws in Utah

Utah at a glance

Does Utah Medicaid cover hearing aids?

Utah Medicaid covers hearing aids for children, not adults. Hearing aids listed as non-covered. ^[1]

The newest official source available is a 2018 state plan amendment.

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 Utah require insurance to cover hearing aids?

Utah 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.

Utah hearing aid trial period and return rights

You get 30 days to cancel if your hearing aids don't work well for you. The seller can keep up to 15% of all fees. The clock pauses while the seller has your aids. ^[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 Utah

Relay Utah. Amplified and captioned phones and other equipment for people with a hearing or speech challenge who get public assistance or earn 200% or less of the federal poverty level. ^[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 Utah

• Utah Division of Professional Licensing, Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology: audiologists ^[6]
• Utah Division of Professional Licensing, 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 Utah

• 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 Utah rules with typical prices.

Find hearing care in Utah

The directory lists 176 hearing care providers in Utah, with 159 audiologists registered at those addresses. By our count of the federal registry, Utah has 5.5 audiologists per 100,000 residents, which ranks #11 of 51.

Cities with the most listings: Salt Lake City, St. George, Layton, Logan, Murray, Ogden, Provo, Sandy, American Fork, Bountiful. Or browse every Utah hearing clinic.