Posted September 01, 2025 by Anupreet Kaur, M.D., FAAFP, Medical Director, Care Management and Population Health
As we age, hearing loss can become a significant challenge, impacting daily conversations, social interactions and emotional well-being. Fortunately, Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans often include coverage for hearing aids and related services, giving you the advantage of getting the coverage you need without the cost of supplemental coverage. A downright game-changer, if you ask us! And something you can’t get on an Original Medicare plan.
Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. These plans provide the same benefits as Original Medicare (Parts A and B) but frequently include extra benefits that are nice-to-have perks—like dental, vision and hearing coverage.
Hearing benefits vary by plan, so it’s important to compare options carefully. Many Medicare Advantage plans offer coverage for:
If you’ve ever shopped for hearing aids for you or a loved one, you’ve probably felt the sticker shock. The cost of hearing aid equipment can, on average, easily range from $1,000 to $6,000 per pair—depending on technology and features.
Since Original Medicare doesn’t cover hearing aids, Medicare Advantage provides an opportunity for you to significantly reduce costs.
And being able to afford hearing aids is incredibly important, since untreated hearing loss can lead to difficulties in communication, social isolation or even cognitive decline. Having a Medicare Advantage plan can make a big difference in the quality of life you experience—and the benefit of that can be life-changing and well worth the effort.
If you’re considering a plan that includes hearing coverage, follow these steps on Medicare.gov:
1. Visit Medicare.gov – Open your web browser and type Medicare.gov in the address bar.
2. Click "Find Plans" – This tool allows you to compare Medicare Advantage plans available in your area.
3. Enter your zip code – Medicare Advantage plans vary by location, so enter your ZIP code to see relevant options.
4. Filter plans by “Hearing Benefits” – Many plans will list hearing aid coverage under their benefits section. Look for plans that:
5. Compare Costs – Review copayments, deductibles and maximum allowances for hearing-related services. Some plans have $0 premiums—but hearing aid benefits can differ greatly from plan to plan.
With a SummaCare Medicare Advantage Plan, you’re covered by our vendor, Amplifon Hearing Health Care®—you even get a virtual hearing screening option. If the virtual screening detects potential hearing loss, you’ll get help finding an in-network provider who will give you a comprehensive hearing exam and make recommendations about what hearing aid will work best for you.
SummaCare Medicare Advantage members — on all plans — are covered for one hearing aid per ear every year from our formulary, after paying a $395 or $695 copay per hearing aid, for select models. Amplifon also has additional hearing aid models available for purchase at a discounted rate.
Covered hearing aids include select models under these brands:
Beyond having a choice of brand and model, members may choose from the following types of hearing aids:
Life is full of beautiful sounds to listen to from songbirds to saxophones or your spouse nagging you to weed the garden. You deserve the chance to listen in. SummaCare can help. For more information on SummaCare Medicare Advantage plans call 330.996.8440 (TTY 711), visit summacare.com or sign up to receive FREE SummaCare Medicare Advantage Plans Exploration Materials.
SummaCare is an HMO and HMO-POS plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in SummaCare depends on contract renewal. H3660_SC1874_M