As it stands today, Medicare coverage for audiology services requires a physician referral. However, a bill introduced in Congress last summer would allow Medicare recipients to directly seek audiological services without medical referral. Congressman Jim McDermott (D-WA) recently added his name to the growing list of 70 Congress members co-sponsoring H.R. 3024, the Medicare Hearing Health Care Enhancement Act.
Medicare coverage for audiology services is currently limited to hearing evaluations to rule out medical involvement. What this essentially means is that your initial hearing evaluation would be covered, as your first hearing evaluation is always intended to rule out medical involvement. Subsequent tests performed every year or so in order to monitor changes in hearing typically are not.
Rome wasn’t build in a day- we are encouraged by every legislative “baby step” that leads to improved access and coverage for our patients!
