Does Harvard Pilgrim Health Insurance Cover Hearing Aids?

"Fortunately, there are a few ways to support the investment of hearing aids, and your health insurance plan is the first thing you’re likely to look up."

The two top biggest objections people have when they consider hearing aids as a treatment for hearing loss is 1) being judged as old because of them and 2) of not being able to afford them.

With about 60% of people with a hearing loss avoiding or delaying hearing treatment, we praise you on doing the research re what it might take for you or a loved one to treat it.

Fortunately, there are a few ways to support the investment of hearing aids, and your health insurance plan is the first thing you’re likely to look up.

Does Harvard Pilgrim Health Insurance cover the cost of hearing aids? Yes, if your employer included it in your plan.

Harvard Pilgrim Insurance Covers

Harvard Pilgrim reimburses contracted providers for the provision of audiology services when it is a covered benefit or when coverage is mandated. Audiology benefits vary by employer group.

  • A referral is required for specialist services for HMO and in-network POS members.
  • A referral is not required for Open Access HMO and Open Access POS products.
NOT SURE IF YOUR HARVARD PILGRIM PLAN COVERS YOUR HEARING TREATMENT? HAVE US CHECK ON YOUR BEHALF.

Harvard Pilgrim HMO/POS/PPO Can Cover

Comprehensive (non-routine) hearing examinations Yes
Hearing aid evaluations When provided for amplification prescriptions
Brain stem evoked response (BSER) audiometry Yes
Hearing aids purchased from a licensed audiologist or licensed hearing instrument specialist and all related services prescribed Including the initial hearing aid evaluation, fitting and adjustments, and supplies, including earmolds only when the member’s employer group has purchased hearing aid coverage or when coverage is mandated (authorization, notification, or referral is not required)
Bone Anchored Hearing Aids (BAHA) Only when the member’s employer group has purchased hearing aid coverage or when coverage is mandated
Cochlear Implant-Related Audiology Services

Treatment of complications following cochlear implant

Annual visit to ensure processor integrity; pediatric members through age 18 may receive two visits per year after the first year following implantation until adjustments for growth are no longer necessary

Sound processor upgrade and subsequent adjustments as required when medically necessary

Cochlear device replacement parts when medically necessary

Harvard Pilgrim does not reimburse:

  • Tinnitus masking
  • Standard off-the-shelf hearing aid batteries (i.e., Duracell, Eveready, etc.)
  • Earmolds (unless otherwise mandated)
  • Earplugs
  • Central auditory processing treatment
  • Enhanced auditory training or auditory integration therapy

Our Experts Can Answer Your Insurance Questions

Our insurance specialists can find out what your Harvard Pilgrim Health Insurance Plan covers. We’ll look up the cost of a hearing test, hearing aids, and follow-up care.

We’ll find out what your deductibles and copayments are and if you have to stay in network or can choose your preferred hearing specialist yourself. This will depend on your HMO, POS, or PPO.

To help us find out what you need to know quickly about your Harvard Pilgrim Health plan, fill out the insurance coverage form at the end of this page.

South Shore Hearing Center wants to make it easy for you to treat your hearing properly, and we have many resources to help make it affordable.

Contact us with any of your questions about insurance, or anything else to do with hearing care, and we’ll get you answers.

All insurance plans are different and benefits will be verified, if you have any questions then please contact our friendly team who are more than happy to answer any questions you may have.

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Tannya E. Poulter, Au.D., CCC-A

Tannya has always had the desire to work in the healthcare field. While attending the University of Connecticut, she decided to major in Speech Pathology. It was during this time that Tannya took a few classes in audiology as part of the Speech Pathology program and became extremely interested and drawn to the profession. It combines the scientific understanding of sound and hearing with the personal experience of helping improve patients’ lives through better hearing and communication. She strives to be as thorough and effective as possible in the assessment of hearing loss, helping patients to understand the details of their hearing loss, determining the most appropriate avenue for remediation of hearing loss and assisting patients to be comfortable and proficient in the use of their hearing aids

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