Financial Assistance for Hearing Aids in Florida

Start with whatever health coverage you already have. Florida Medicaid covers hearing aids for enrollees with moderate or greater hearing loss. Original Medicare does not cover hearing aids, but many Medicare Advantage plans in Florida add a hearing benefit. Veterans enrolled in VA health care can get hearing aids at no charge. If none of those apply, Florida has several nonprofit programs that provide free or reduced-cost hearing aids based on income, plus a statewide program that gives away captioned and amplified phones.

Work down this list in order. Each program below states who qualifies, what it provides and how to apply, with a link to the program's own page so you can confirm the details before you call.

• Check your insurance first: Florida Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, employer or marketplace plans, and VA benefits.
• If you are working or want to work, ask Florida Vocational Rehabilitation about hearing technology as a job accommodation.
• Apply to a Florida nonprofit program that matches your age, income and region.
• Consider over-the-counter hearing aids if you are an adult with mild to moderate hearing loss.
• Get a free captioned or amplified phone from FTRI while you sort out hearing aids.

Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) does not cover hearing aids or the exams to fit them. Medicare.gov states plainly that you pay all costs for hearing aids and fitting exams. That is true in Florida and every other state.

Some Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) offer extra benefits that Original Medicare does not, including hearing. In Florida these benefits vary widely: some plans pay a set amount toward hearing aids, some use a fixed copay through a hearing benefits partner, and some only offer a discount. Before you enroll or switch plans, ask for the hearing benefit in writing, the list of participating providers, and what happens with follow-up visits and repairs. Employer, retiree and marketplace plans sometimes include a hearing aid benefit or discount program too; check your plan's Summary of Benefits and Coverage.

HLAA continues to advocate nationally for Medicare to cover hearing aids. You can follow that work through HLAA's financial assistance page.

Sources: Medicare.gov: Hearing aid coverage · HLAA: Financial assistance

Florida's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation helps people with disabilities get, keep or advance in a job. Any person with a disability can apply, and people who receive SSDI or SSI because of a disability are presumed eligible. VR can provide assistive devices as job accommodations as part of an Individualized Plan for Employment. If hearing loss affects your work, ask your VR counselor whether hearing aids or other hearing technology can be included in your plan.

The process has eight steps: referral, application, an eligibility decision, a possible wait-list category, writing your employment plan, services to get ready for work, employment and case closure. Students can start transition services at age 14.

Source: Florida VR: Steps to get started for adults · Florida Vocational Rehabilitation home

The Children's Hearing Aid Program is run by the Sertoma Speech and Hearing Foundation of Florida and provides free hearing aids and related services to eligible children across the state. Children qualify through age 18 (up to 21 with documented special health care needs) when household income is below 400 percent of the federal poverty level, the family lives in Florida, and the child is not eligible for Medicaid or Florida KidCare (CHIP). Private insurance is billed first and CHAP covers the remaining cost, paying the audiologist directly so families typically pay nothing.

Apply through the online portal, or request an application by email, fax or mail. You will need proof of the child's age, Florida residency and household income. Phone (727) 312-3881. The same foundation runs a clinic in New Port Richey that offers hearing aid assistance to Floridians of all ages regardless of income; contact the clinic for current pricing.

Sources: Sertoma Speech and Hearing Foundation of Florida: CHAP · Sertoma clinic hearing aid assistance (all ages)

Hearing Aid Project (Sertoma and Hearing Charities of America)

The Hearing Aid Project refurbishes donated hearing aids and provides them at no cost to U.S. residents who have hearing loss diagnosed by a licensed audiologist, low income, and either no health insurance or insurance with no hearing aid coverage. Applications are currently accepted from people who live near a partner audiologist. Start with the online contact form, or call (816) 895-2410.

Source: Hearing Aid Project: Get an aid

Starkey Cares Hear Now

Starkey Cares runs the Hear Now program, which provides hearing technology at significantly reduced cost to people in the U.S. who could not otherwise afford it. The program is application-based with financial guidelines and required documents. Apply online, email starkeycares@starkey.com or call (855) 686-2202 to be connected with a participating provider near you.

Source: Starkey Cares

Manufacturer and clinic financing

Most hearing aid clinics offer payment plans, either directly or through a health care credit card, and manufacturers sometimes run promotions through their dealer networks. Financing does not lower the price; it spreads it out, often with interest after a promotional period. Ask for the total cost with interest, what happens if you return the aids during the trial period, and whether follow-up visits are included. Florida law requires sellers of prescription hearing aids to give you written notice of a 30-day trial period and money-back guarantee.

Source: Florida Statutes 484.0512: Thirty-day trial period