By Christian BrinkleyLicensed agent, NC Life & Health · Updated October 6, 2026 · 3 min read
People are usually surprised by this one, often at the audiologist's front desk. Medicare pays for a lot of medical care, and hearing aids and glasses feel like medical care. They mostly aren't, as far as Original Medicare is concerned. There are a few exceptions, and some Advantage plans add an allowance. Here's how it sorts out.
Hearing: what Medicare pays for and what it doesn't
Original Medicare does not cover hearing aids. It also doesn't cover the exam to fit them. You pay the full cost of both.
It does cover diagnostic hearing and balance exams when your doctor orders them to find out if you need medical treatment. After the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026), you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount. In a hospital outpatient setting, there is a copayment on top.
Hearing aids that you buy over the counter, without a prescription, are sold for mild to moderate hearing loss. Medicare doesn't pay for those either, but they usually cost less than prescription aids.
Vision: the exceptions that matter
Original Medicare doesn't cover routine eye exams, eyeglasses, or contact lenses. A few things are covered, and they all have a medical reason behind them:
- A yearly eye exam for diabetic eye disease, if you have diabetes.
- A yearly glaucoma test, if you're at high risk.
- Tests and some treatments for age-related macular degeneration.
- One pair of glasses or contact lenses after cataract surgery that implants an intraocular lens.
Cataract surgery itself is covered when it is medically needed. The 20% coinsurance applies, and so does the Part B deductible.
What Medicare Advantage plans add
Many Advantage plans include some hearing and vision benefits. Medicare says most do. It is an extra the plan chooses to offer, so each one is different.
Look for an annual dollar limit on hearing aids and on eyewear, which is often an allowance rather than full coverage. Also look for a network. Some plans only pay if you use their audiologists or their glasses supplier. And ask whether the exam is covered separately from the device.
A Medicare Supplement plan, or Medigap, doesn't help here. It pays Medicare cost sharing and doesn't add hearing, vision, or dental.
What to ask before you buy
If you have an Advantage plan, call and ask three things before you schedule anything. What is the yearly limit? Do I have to use a certain provider? Do I need an approval first? Get the answers in writing, or write down the name of the person you talked to.
If you're on Original Medicare, ask the provider for the full price in writing, including the exam and any follow-up visits. Prices vary a lot, and a written quote lets you compare. And check each fall's plan changes if you're on Advantage. These benefits can shrink from one year to the next.
Questions people ask me about this
Does Original Medicare cover hearing aids?
No. Original Medicare doesn't cover hearing aids or the exams to fit them. It covers diagnostic hearing exams when a doctor orders them for a medical reason.
Does Medicare cover glasses after cataract surgery?
Yes, one pair of glasses or contact lenses after cataract surgery that implants an intraocular lens. You pay the 20% coinsurance, and the Part B deductible applies.
Do Medicare Advantage plans cover hearing and vision?
Many do, but it varies by plan. Look at the yearly limit, the provider network, and whether the exam is covered apart from the device.
Can a Medicare Supplement plan pay for hearing aids?
No. Medicare Supplement plans pay Medicare's cost sharing. They don't add hearing, vision, or dental coverage.