Currently the Social Security Administration and The Centers For Medicare and Medicaid classify hearing aids as “not reasonable and necessary” and are lumped into the same category as cosmetic surgery (see Medicare Benefit Policy Manual Chapter 16 §100, 180, and Social Security Act § 1862). It would take an Act of Congress to have the designation changed. This classification is the reason most private health insurance policies do not cover hearing aids for their members.

Other durable medical equipment such as prosthetic limbs is covered so likewise one would think that insurance coverage for ear prostheses would also be included. Especially when you consider that over 90 percent of hearing losses are due to peripheral nerve damage and numerous research has linked hearing loss with; dementia, Alzheimers, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression, chronic kidney disease, social isolation, and even employment and earning potential.

The 34 million Americans who are hearing impaired are well aware that hearing aids are costly. Even partial insurance coverage would do a world of good. Our Way, for the Jewish Deaf and Hard of Hearing, is collecting signatures to petition the federal government to change the status of hearing aids to “necessary”. They will deliver the signed petitions in March to members of Congress.

Click on the link below:

Hearing Aid Reimbursement Call to Action (1)