In New Mexico, Medicaid (now called Turquoise Care) covers hearing aids for both adults and children — adults can generally get one hearing aid (or a pair, if you're working or in school) every four years with prior authorization. Private insurance must cover hearing aids for kids: up to $2,200 per ear every 36 months until age 18 (or 21 if still in high school), but there's no similar requirement for adults. The Commission for Deaf and Hard of Hearing also gives out free amplified phones and communication devices to lower-income residents with hearing loss.
By Lilly Seay · Updated July 2026
NM Medicaid covers medically necessary hearing aids for adults under rule 8.324.5 NMAC. Limits: one monaural or binaural hearing aid purchase per four-year period (exceptions for progressive hearing loss, post-surgical changes, traumatic injury, or a lost aid). Binaural (two-ear) aids are approved for recipients with bilateral loss who are attending an educational institution, seeking or holding employment, or have a documented history of binaural fitting. All hearing aid dispensing, purchase, rental, and replacement requires prior authorization, plus medical clearance from the member's primary care provider. The dispensing fee includes fitting, ear molds, and one package of batteries per aid; additional batteries are reimbursed separately, and repairs over $100 require prior authorization. Since July 1, 2024, benefits run through Turquoise Care managed-care plans (BCBSNM, Molina, Presbyterian, UnitedHealthcare) — a program rename/restructure replacing Centennial Care, not a benefit cut.
Federal EPSDT law (42 U.S.C. § 1396d(r)(4)) requires every state — New Mexico included — to cover hearing aids for Medicaid-enrolled children under 21 at no cost to the family. Children under 21 are covered under EPSDT and are exempt from the four-year replacement limit — replacement frequency gets individualized consideration based on medical necessity, with prior approval. Children under 16 must be examined by a physician board-certified in diseases of the ear (ENT) before any hearing aid fitting. New Mexico's CHIP is run as part of Medicaid — families apply once through the YesNM portal (yes.state.nm.us) or HCA and children are enrolled in a Turquoise Care plan.
Enacted 2007: state-regulated individual and group health plans, HMOs, and public-employee health coverage must cover one hearing aid per hearing-impaired ear, up to $2,200 every 36 months, including related services, for children under 18 — or under 21 if still attending high school. Families may choose a pricier hearing aid and pay the difference without penalty. No mandate for adults, and self-funded (ERISA) employer plans are exempt.
Statute: NMSA 1978 § 59A-22-34.5 (also §§ 59A-23-7.9, 59A-46-38.5, 59A-47-37.1, 13-7-10)
Remember: state mandates only reach state-regulated ("fully insured") plans. Self-funded employer plans — covering about two-thirds of insured workers — are exempt under federal ERISA law. One question to HR settles which kind you have.
New Mexico's insurer landscape is unusually tidy: the same four carriers — Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico, Presbyterian, UnitedHealthcare, and Molina — sell the state's beWellnm marketplace plans and run its Turquoise Care Medicaid managed-care program, where adult hearing aids are covered. For kids, every state-regulated plan must cover up to $2,200 per ear every 36 months.
BCBSNM is one of four insurers on the beWellnm exchange for 2026 and one of four Turquoise Care Medicaid plans, where adults can get a hearing aid every four years with prior authorization. Its state-regulated commercial plans must cover children's hearing aids up to $2,200 per ear every 36 months under New Mexico's mandate.
New Mexico's homegrown health system insurer offers beWellnm marketplace plans and is one of the four Turquoise Care Medicaid managed-care plans administering the state's hearing aid benefit. Its fully insured plans are subject to the children's hearing aid mandate; adult hearing coverage on commercial and Medicare plans varies, so check your benefit documents.
UnitedHealthcare of New Mexico sells 2026 beWellnm plans and joined Turquoise Care as a Medicaid managed-care plan when the program launched July 1, 2024. UHC members typically access hearing aids through the UnitedHealthcare Hearing program; hearing allowances on its Medicare Advantage plans vary by plan.
Molina offers beWellnm marketplace plans and is one of the four Turquoise Care Medicaid plans. Medicaid members get New Mexico's adult hearing aid benefit — generally one aid (or a binaural pair if working or in school) every four years with prior authorization — through the plan.
Yes. New Mexico Medicaid — now called Turquoise Care — covers medically necessary hearing aids for adults, generally one hearing aid purchase every four years, with exceptions for progressive hearing loss, post-surgical changes, traumatic injury, or a lost aid. Two-ear (binaural) aids can be approved if you have hearing loss in both ears and are working, job-hunting, or in school. Everything requires prior authorization plus medical clearance from your primary care provider. Since July 2024, benefits run through four managed-care plans — BCBSNM, Molina, Presbyterian, or UnitedHealthcare — so start with the number on your card.
For children, yes; for adults, no. Since 2007, state-regulated health plans, HMOs, and public-employee coverage in New Mexico must cover one hearing aid per hearing-impaired ear, up to $2,200 every 36 months including related services, for kids under 18 — or under 21 if they're still in high school. Families can choose a pricier aid and pay the difference without penalty. There's no similar requirement for adults, and self-funded employer (ERISA) plans are exempt, so adults should check their specific policy or look to Turquoise Care Medicaid if eligible.
If you qualify for Turquoise Care (Medicaid), hearing aids are covered for adults and children with prior authorization. If hearing loss is getting in the way of work, the NM Division of Vocational Rehabilitation can help pay for hearing aids you need for a job. The Commission for Deaf and Hard of Hearing's Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program gives free amplified phones and communication devices to lower-income residents with hearing loss, and the New Mexico Technology Assistance Program can help you borrow or afford assistive devices. For kids, the $2,200-per-ear insurance mandate takes much of the sting out of prices.
Turquoise Care is the new name for New Mexico Medicaid's managed-care program — it replaced Centennial Care on July 1, 2024. It was a rename and restructure, not a benefit cut: hearing aids are still covered for adults and children. Four health plans run it — Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico, Molina Healthcare, Presbyterian Health Plan, and UnitedHealthcare — and your hearing benefits flow through whichever plan you're enrolled in. Adults can generally get one hearing aid (or a pair, if working or in school) every four years; all dispensing, purchases, and replacements need prior authorization.
While you sort out coverage, the Hearing Buddy app gives you live captions on your phone — free, instantly.