Hearing & balance exams
Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers diagnostic hearing and balance exams
Coverage details
Part B covers diagnostic hearing and balance (fall risk) exams if your doctor or other health care provider orders them to find out if you need medical treatment.
Original Medicare doesn’t cover hearing aids or exams for fitting hearing aids.
Costs
- After you meet the Part B deductible , you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount .
- In a hospital outpatient setting , you also pay the hospital a copayment .
How often
You can also visit an audiologist once every 12 months without an order from your health care provider, but only for:
- Non-acute hearing conditions (like hearing loss that happens over many years)
- Diagnostic services related to hearing loss that’s treated with surgically implanted hearing devices
Ask your doctor or healthcare provider how much your test, item, or service will cost.
Your doctor may recommend services that Medicare does not cover or offers too frequently. This could end up in additional costs for you. Make sure to ask your doctor about the reasons for these recommendations and what Medicare will actually cover.
Specific amounts you could owe depend on:
Other insurance you may have
How much your doctor charges
If your doctor accepts assignment
The type of facility
Where you get your test, item, or service