Understanding Your Insurance Coverage for Hearing Care in East Tennessee
If you're dealing with hearing loss in Knoxville, Sevierville, Clinton, or anywhere in East Tennessee, one of your first questions is probably about cost. We get it—hearing care is an investment in your quality of life, and you want to know what your insurance will cover before you make any decisions.
At Volunteer Hearing, we've helped hundreds of families in East Tennessee navigate their insurance benefits for hearing evaluations, hearing aids, and ongoing care. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about using your insurance for hearing care in our area.
Medicare Coverage for Hearing Care
What Medicare Covers (And What It Doesn't)
Medicare can be confusing when it comes to hearing care. Here's the straight story:
Medicare Part B covers:
Diagnostic hearing exams when ordered by your doctor
Hearing tests to determine if you need medical treatment
Exams related to sudden hearing loss or other medical conditions
Medicare typically does NOT cover:
Routine hearing screenings
Hearing aids for most people
Hearing aid fittings and adjustments
Batteries and accessories
This might seem frustrating, but there are important exceptions and workarounds we'll explain below.
Medicare Advantage Plans: Your Best Option
Many folks in East Tennessee have Medicare Advantage plans instead of traditional Medicare. These plans often include hearing benefits that original Medicare doesn't cover.
Medicare Advantage plans may cover:
Annual hearing exams
Hearing aids (with limits on frequency and dollar amounts)
Hearing aid fittings
Follow-up adjustments
[CHECK: Need to verify current Medicare Advantage hearing benefit trends for 2025]
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, call the number on your insurance card before your appointment. Ask specifically about hearing aid coverage, annual limits, and which providers are in-network.
Medicare Supplement Insurance
If you have a Medicare supplement (Medigap) policy, it typically follows Medicare's lead. Since Medicare doesn't cover hearing aids, most supplement plans don't either. However, some newer supplement plans are starting to offer hearing benefits as extras.
TennCare (Tennessee Medicaid) Coverage
TennCare covers hearing care differently depending on your age and specific plan.
For adults, TennCare covers:
Diagnostic hearing evaluations when medically necessary
[VERIFY: Current TennCare hearing aid coverage limits and requirements]
Hearing aids in specific medical situations
For children under TennCare:
Comprehensive hearing evaluations
Hearing aids when needed
Regular follow-up care and adjustments
Replacement hearing aids as children grow
TennCare requires prior authorization for most hearing services. We can help you understand what documentation you'll need and work with your doctor to get the necessary referrals.
Private Insurance Coverage
Most private insurance plans treat hearing care as either a medical benefit or a specialty benefit. Understanding which category your plan uses helps you know what to expect.
Medical Benefits vs. Hearing Benefits
When hearing care is covered as a medical benefit:
Usually covers diagnostic testing
May cover hearing aids if deemed medically necessary
Requires referrals from primary care doctors
Subject to your regular deductible and copays
When hearing care is a specialty benefit:
Often includes annual hearing allowances
May have separate deductibles
Sometimes requires using specific providers
Often includes discounts on hearing aids
Major Insurance Providers in East Tennessee
We work with most major insurance providers serving our area, including:
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee
Cigna
Aetna
United Healthcare
Humana
[VERIFY: Other major insurers commonly seen in East TN]
Each insurer has different policies, and coverage can vary significantly between employers. Before your appointment, we recommend calling your insurance company to ask about:
Your annual hearing aid benefit amount
How often you can get new hearing aids
Whether our practice is in-network
If you need a referral from your primary doctor
Understanding Your Benefits
Insurance terminology can be confusing. Here's what common terms mean for your hearing care:
Deductible: The amount you pay before insurance kicks in. Some plans have separate deductibles for hearing benefits.
Copay: A fixed amount you pay for services, like $25 for an office visit.
Coinsurance: The percentage you pay after meeting your deductible. For example, 20% coinsurance means you pay 20% and insurance pays 80%.
Annual maximum: The most your insurance will pay for hearing aids in one year. This might be $1,000, $2,500, or more depending on your plan.
Frequency limit: How often you can get new hearing aids, typically every 3-5 years.
Veterans Benefits for Hearing Care
If you're a veteran living in East Tennessee, you may qualify for hearing care through the VA. The closest VA medical centers to our area are in Johnson City and Nashville.
VA hearing benefits typically include:
Comprehensive hearing evaluations
Hearing aids at no cost
Batteries and accessories
Regular maintenance and repairs
Replacement hearing aids when needed
You don't need to use VA providers exclusively. Some veterans choose to get their hearing test with us and then use their VA benefits for hearing aids. We're happy to coordinate care and provide documentation the VA needs.
Workers’ Compensation
If your hearing loss is related to workplace noise exposure, workers' compensation might cover your hearing care. This is common for folks who worked in manufacturing, construction, or other noisy environments around Knoxville and East Tennessee.
Workers' comp typically covers:
Initial hearing evaluation
Follow-up testing
Hearing aids if hearing loss is work-related
Ongoing maintenance and care
[VERIFY: Tennessee workers' comp hearing loss requirements and timelines]
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)
Many people forget they can use FSA or HSA funds for hearing care. These accounts let you pay with pre-tax dollars, which saves you money.
You can typically use FSA/HSA funds for:
Hearing evaluations
Hearing aids
Hearing aid batteries
Cleaning supplies and accessories
Repair costs
Keep your receipts! You'll need them for reimbursement or if you're audited.
Payment Options When Insurance Isn't Enough
Even with insurance, hearing aids can be expensive. We understand that, and we've worked hard to make hearing care affordable for families in East Tennessee.
Financing Options
We offer several financing options to help spread out the cost:
[VERIFY: Current financing partners and terms]
Interest-free payment plans
Extended payment options
Hearing Aid Manufacturer Programs
Most major hearing aid companies offer patient assistance programs. These might include:
Rebates for trading in old hearing aids
Discounts for purchasing two hearing aids
Extended warranties
Loss and damage protection
Community Resources
Several organizations in Tennessee help with hearing aid costs:
[RESEARCH: Local East TN hearing aid assistance programs]
Lions Club hearing aid programs
Rotary Club assistance
Church and community organization support
What to Expect: Costs in East Tennessee
We believe in being upfront about costs. Here's what you can typically expect to pay in the Knoxville, Sevierville, and Clinton area:
Hearing evaluations:
With insurance: Usually $0-50 copay
Without insurance: [VERIFY: Current evaluation costs]
Hearing aids:
Entry level: [VERIFY: Current pricing ranges]
Mid-range: [VERIFY: Current pricing ranges]
Premium: [VERIFY: Current pricing ranges]
Remember, hearing aids are an investment that typically lasts 5-7 years. When you break down the cost over time, it's often less than you might think.
Making the Most of Your Insurance Benefits
Before Your Appointment
Call your insurance company and ask about hearing benefits
Get referrals if needed from your primary care doctor
Understand your copays and deductibles
Ask about network providers and confirm we're covered
During Your Visit
Bring your insurance cards and any referral paperwork
Ask questions about costs before agreeing to any treatment
Understand your options if insurance doesn't cover everything
Get documentation for FSA/HSA reimbursement
After Your Appointment
Keep all receipts for tax purposes and reimbursement
Understand your follow-up care and what's included
Know who to call if you have problems with your hearing aids
Why Choose Volunteer Hearing for Your Insurance-Covered Care
We've been serving East Tennessee for years, and we understand how insurance works in our area. Here's what sets us apart:
We handle the paperwork. We'll verify your benefits before your appointment and file claims for you when possible.
We work with your budget. If your insurance doesn't cover everything, we'll help you find options that fit your financial situation.
We're local. When you need adjustments or have questions, you can reach us easily. We're not a distant corporate office—we're your neighbors in East Tennessee.
We offer home visits. For folks in Sevierville, Kodak, Seymour, Gatlinburg, Knoxville, and Clinton, we can come to you. This is especially helpful if transportation is difficult or you have mobility challenges.
Serving East Tennessee Communities
We're proud to serve hearing care needs throughout East Tennessee. Whether you're in downtown Knoxville, the tourist areas of Sevierville and Gatlinburg, the historic town of Clinton, or any of the smaller communities in between, we understand the unique needs of our area.
Many of our patients are retirees who moved to East Tennessee for the beautiful mountains and lower cost of living. Others are longtime residents who worked in the area's manufacturing plants, government facilities, or tourism industry. Some are young families who want their children to grow up in the Smokies.
No matter what brought you to East Tennessee, we're here to help you hear better and stay connected to everything you love about our area.
Getting Started
The best way to understand your insurance coverage is to schedule a consultation. We'll verify your benefits before your appointment so there are no surprises.
To schedule your appointment:
Call us at 1-865-888-HEAR (4327)
[VERIFY: Online scheduling options]
Request a home visit if that works better for you
During your consultation, we'll:
Review your insurance coverage in detail
Conduct a comprehensive hearing evaluation
Explain your treatment options and costs
Help you make decisions that fit your budget and lifestyle
Questions We Hear Often
“Will my insurance cover hearing aids?”
It depends on your specific plan. We'll check your benefits and let you know exactly what's covered before you make any decisions.“How often can I get new hearing aids?”
Most insurance plans allow new hearing aids every 3-5 years, but some Medicare Advantage plans allow more frequent updates.“What if I can't afford the copay?”
We offer payment plans and can help you explore community resources for hearing aid assistance.“Do I need a referral from my doctor?”
Some insurance plans require referrals, others don't. We'll help you figure out what your plan needs.“What if my hearing aids break?”
Most hearing aids come with warranties, and many insurance plans cover repairs. We'll help you understand what's covered and what's not.
Take the Next Step
Don't let uncertainty about insurance coverage keep you from getting the hearing care you need. We're here to help you navigate your benefits and find solutions that work for your situation.
Remember, untreated hearing loss affects more than just your ability to hear—it impacts your relationships, your safety, and your overall quality of life. The sooner you address hearing concerns, the better your outcomes are likely to be.
Contact Volunteer Hearing today to schedule your consultation and learn exactly what your insurance covers. We're here to help you hear better and live better in East Tennessee.