Hearing aid coverage and laws in Vermont

Vermont at a glance

Does Vermont Medicaid cover hearing aids?

Vermont Medicaid covers hearing aids for adults who meet its rules. Better-ear loss over 30 dB or other listed criteria. ^[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 Vermont require insurance to cover hearing aids?

Vermont requires state-regulated health plans to cover hearing aids for adults. Who's covered: all ages, large group plans only. One hearing aid per ear every 3 years. ^[2]

The rule applies to plans issued or renewed from 2024. Your benefit starts when your plan renews.

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.

Vermont hearing aid trial period and return rights

You get 45 days from delivery to return hearing aids for a full refund, minus earmolds and a service fee capped at 5% or $50, whichever is greater. Days the aid is in for repair don't count. ^[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 Vermont

Vermont Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program (VTEDP). Provides up to $750 in adapted phone equipment to Vermonters whose disability requires it and whose household income is at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines. ^[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 Vermont

• Vermont Office of Professional Regulation, Audiologists: audiologists ^[5]
• Vermont Office of Professional Regulation, Hearing Aid Dispensers: 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 Vermont

• 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 Vermont rules with typical prices.

Find hearing care in Vermont

The directory lists 40 hearing care providers in Vermont, with 35 audiologists registered at those addresses. By our count of the federal registry, Vermont has 6.3 audiologists per 100,000 residents, which ranks #5 of 51.

Cities with the most listings: Rutland, Montpelier, Burlington. Or browse every Vermont hearing clinic.