New York Medicaid is one of the stronger programs for hearing help — it covers hearing exams, hearing aids, ear molds, batteries, and repairs for both adults and kids, though adults need prior approval and a hearing loss of at least 30 decibels. There's no state law forcing private insurance to cover hearing aids (bills keep being introduced but haven't passed), so check your plan — though kids on Child Health Plus and many individual/small-group plans do get hearing aid coverage. ACCES-VR can help pay for hearing aids you need for work, and the TRAID program loans out assistive devices for free.
By Lilly Seay · Updated July 2026
NY Medicaid covers hearing aids for adults 21+ when hearing loss is not correctable by medical/surgical means and the pure tone average (500/1000/2000 Hz) is 30 dB or greater in the better ear, per the eMedNY Hearing Aid/Audiology policy manual (current edition effective July 1, 2026). Prior approval is required, submitted with a pure-tone audiogram, speech testing results, and a recommendation from an otolaryngologist or qualified audiologist; binaural (two-ear) aids for members 21+ and repairs costing $70 or more also need prior approval. Coverage includes audiological exams, fitting/dispensing, ear molds, accessories, repairs, replacement parts, and batteries; FM systems, assistive listening devices, and tinnitus maskers are not covered. There is no fixed replacement calendar — a replacement aid is approved when the original is lost, stolen, damaged beyond warranty, has a history of excessive repairs, or no longer provides adequate benefit. Most members receive the benefit through Medicaid managed-care plans. No 2024-2026 benefit cuts identified.
Federal EPSDT law (42 U.S.C. § 1396d(r)(4)) requires every state — New York included — to cover hearing aids for Medicaid-enrolled children under 21 at no cost to the family. Children under 21 get hearing exams, hearing aids, fittings, repairs, and replacements (including for lost/damaged aids) under EPSDT whenever medically necessary. New York's separate CHIP program is Child Health Plus (health.ny.gov/health_care/child_health_plus), which covers hearing exams and hearing aids with no deductibles or copays (some families pay a monthly premium based on income); families apply through NY State of Health or 1-800-698-4543.
New York has no statute requiring state-regulated private plans to cover hearing aids for adults or children. Bills to mandate children's coverage (e.g., A3249/S5789 in the 2025-26 session, one aid per ear every 24 months for kids under 18) have been introduced repeatedly but remain in committee — S5789 was re-referred to the Senate insurance committee in January 2026 and has not been enacted as of mid-2026. In practice, children's hearing aids are included in New York's Essential Health Benefits benchmark, so individual and small-group ACA plans generally cover them — but large-group and self-funded (ERISA) plans are not required to. Check your specific policy.
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 York's insurance landscape is unusually rich: 12 insurers sell 2026 individual plans on NY State of Health, most Medicaid members are in managed care plans that must deliver the state's strong adult hearing aid benefit, and 53% of Medicare beneficiaries are in Medicare Advantage plans that often add hearing allowances.
A Centene subsidiary serving over 1.7 million New Yorkers across Medicaid managed care, Child Health Plus, Medicare, and NY State of Health marketplace plans. Medicaid members receive New York's hearing aid benefit (exams, aids, batteries, repairs, with prior approval) through managed care plans like Fidelis.
A not-for-profit insurer founded by New York's leading hospital systems, serving members across New York City, the Hudson Valley, Westchester, and Long Island with Medicaid managed care, Child Health Plus, Essential Plans, Medicare Advantage, and marketplace Leaf plans. Its Medicaid members get the state hearing aid benefit through the plan.
One of the 12 insurers offering 2026 individual plans on NY State of Health, and a major Medicare Advantage carrier; it also operates UnitedHealthcare Community Plan in New York's Medicaid managed care program. It runs its hearing care program through the UnitedHealthcare Hearing platform; hearing aid allowances vary by plan, so check your specific benefits.
Sells 2026 NY State of Health plans as Anthem HP (formerly Empire HealthPlus). Because New York has no hearing aid mandate, hearing coverage on its adult plans varies — though children's hearing aids are generally included on individual and small-group plans via the state's Essential Health Benefits benchmark.
The Health Insurance Plan of Greater New York (Emblem) is a longtime NYC-area insurer among the 12 carriers on the 2026 exchange. With no state hearing aid mandate, coverage varies by plan — call member services to check your policy.
The NYC Health + Hospitals-affiliated plan, offering 2026 marketplace coverage and serving Medicaid managed care members in New York City. Medicaid members get the state's hearing aid benefit — including batteries and repairs — through the plan.
Excellus Health Plan is one of the 12 insurers on the 2026 NY exchange, serving upstate New York. Hearing aid coverage varies by plan since New York has no mandate; children's aids are generally covered on individual and small-group plans.
Yes — New York Medicaid has one of the stronger adult hearing benefits in the country. It covers hearing exams, hearing aids, ear molds, batteries, and repairs for adults 21 and older when hearing loss can't be corrected medically and averages 30 decibels or more in the better ear. You'll need prior approval, with an audiogram, speech testing, and a recommendation from an audiologist or ear doctor; two-ear (binaural) aids need approval too. Most members use the benefit through their managed care plan — like Fidelis Care, Healthfirst, or MetroPlus — so start by calling the number on your member card.
Not yet. New York has no law requiring private insurance to cover hearing aids — bills like A3249/S5789 (one aid per ear every 24 months for kids under 18) keep being introduced but remain in committee as of 2026. The good news: children's hearing aids are part of New York's Essential Health Benefits benchmark, so individual and small-group ACA plans generally cover them. Large-group and self-funded employer plans don't have to, though some choose to. Check your policy documents or call your insurer and ask specifically about hearing aid coverage.
Start with NY Medicaid if you qualify — it covers hearing aids, batteries, and repairs for both adults and kids. If you're working or job-hunting, ACCES-VR (the state's vocational rehabilitation agency) can help pay for hearing aids you need for work. The TRAID program loans assistive devices — including amplified phones and listening devices — for free, so you can try equipment before buying. Kids on Child Health Plus get hearing aid coverage, and the NYS Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing Office can point you to more local resources.
Original Medicare doesn't cover hearing aids, but 53% of New York's Medicare beneficiaries are in Medicare Advantage plans — and many of those add hearing benefits. The average New Yorker can choose from about 25 MA plans, from carriers like UnitedHealthcare (which runs its hearing program through UnitedHealthcare Hearing), Healthfirst, and Anthem. Allowance amounts vary widely by plan, so check your Evidence of Coverage or call your plan before you shop. If you have both Medicare and Medicaid, New York Medicaid can cover hearing aids that Medicare won't.
It depends on which plan you have with them. If you're a Medicaid managed care member, yes — plans like Fidelis Care, Healthfirst, and MetroPlus deliver New York Medicaid's hearing benefit: exams, hearing aids, ear molds, batteries, and repairs, with prior approval and a 30 dB hearing-loss threshold for adults. If you have a marketplace or employer plan from these insurers, coverage varies because New York has no hearing aid mandate — though children's aids are generally covered on individual and small-group plans. Call member services and ask about your specific plan.
While you sort out coverage, the Hearing Buddy app gives you live captions on your phone — free, instantly.