State laws › Massachusetts
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 175, § 47X · statute read October 21, 2026
Massachusetts hearing aid insurance law
Massachusetts's law (Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 175, § 47X) requires the health insurance it names to cover hearing aids. Who it reaches: 21 or younger. The figure it names is $2,000 per hearing aid every 36 months.
- 1Who 21 or younger
- 2Benefit $2,000 per hearing aid
- 3Replacement Every 36 months
What the statute says
| Citation | Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 175, § 47X (Massachusetts General Laws, malegislature.gov) |
|---|---|
| Who | 21 or younger |
| Duty | The policies named must cover hearing aids |
| Dollar figure | $2,000 per hearing aid |
| Replacement | Once every 36 months |
In the statute's words: “up to $2,000 for each hearing aid”
- Coverage requires a written statement from the child's treating physician that the hearing aids are necessary.
- The insured may choose a higher-priced aid and pay the difference without penalty.
The figure against recorded prices
Massachusetts's law (Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 175, § 47X) requires the health insurance it names to cover hearing aids. Who it reaches: 21 or younger. The figure it names is $2,000 per hearing aid every 36 months. The statute text was read on October 21, 2026 from Massachusetts General Laws, malegislature.gov.
Because the figure is per hearing aid, a pair for two ears can draw it twice: up to $4,000. Of the 70 models priced on this site, 66 start at or below that amount, 35 of them fitted or seller-programmed models. At the median fitted starting price of $2,798, the figure would reach 100% of the pair and leave $0 above it. Against the cheapest OTC pair (Audien Atom One, $98) it would reach 100%; against the cheapest Costco package (Philips HearLink 9050, $1,599.99) it would reach 100%; against the cheapest fitted pair (Liberty Clear Lucid, $1,299.98) it would reach 100%. This is arithmetic on the statute's figure only; the policy's deductible, coinsurance and network rules decide what is actually paid.
Spread over the 36-month period, $4,000 for a pair is $1,333.33 a year. Over ten years the period allows 3 purchase cycles, so the most the figure could add up to across a decade is $12,000 per person.
Among the 14 states on this site whose statute names a dollar figure, Massachusetts's $4,000 for a pair ranks 6th of 14 from the top. The highest is Georgia at $6,000 and the lowest Tennessee at $2,000, every 4 years and 3 years respectively.
Massachusetts is one of 6 states here whose law reaches children and young adults. The others: Delaware (children less than 24 covered as a dependent, $1,000 per hearing aid, per ear), New Mexico (under 18, or under 21 if still in high school, $2,200 per hearing aid), North Carolina (under 22, $2,500 per hearing aid), Ohio (21 or younger, $2,500 per hearing aid) and Oregon (18 or younger, or 19 to 25 in school, no dollar cap).
Five recorded pairs, measured against $4,000
| Model | Pair price | Figure could reach | Above the figure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audien Atom One | $98 | $98 (100%) | $0 |
| Liberty Clear Lucid | $1,299.98 | $1,299.98 (100%) | $0 |
| Philips HearLink 9050 | $1,599.99 | $1,599.99 (100%) | $0 |
| Phonak Naída Lumity | $2,798 | $2,798 (100%) | $0 |
| Starkey Signature Series | $3,198 | $3,198 (100%) | $0 |
Lowest listed pair price for each model, from the seller and date on its page. The policy's own deductible, coinsurance and network rules are not included.
Massachusetts questions
Does Massachusetts require health insurance to cover hearing aids?
Massachusetts's law (Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 175, § 47X) requires the health insurance it names to cover hearing aids. Who it reaches: 21 or younger. The figure it names is $2,000 per hearing aid every 36 months. Source: Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 175, § 47X, read October 21, 2026.
How often can hearing aids be replaced under the Massachusetts law?
The text read allows a limit of once every 36 months (3 years) for the benefit it describes.
Does Medicare cover hearing aids in Massachusetts?
State insurance laws do not change Original Medicare, which is federal. Medicare.gov says: “Medicare doesn't cover hearing aids or exams for fitting hearing aids.”
Medicare and other coverage
State insurance laws apply to the policies they name. Original Medicare is federal, and Medicare.gov states: “Medicare doesn't cover hearing aids or exams for fitting hearing aids.” Some Medicare Advantage plans add a hearing benefit; the plan sets the amount. Medicaid hearing aid coverage for adults was not collected for this page. See Does Medicare cover hearing aids? and the price by channel pages for what each seller's price includes.
Related
This page summarizes statute text read on October 21, 2026 and does arithmetic with seller-printed prices. It is not legal or medical advice: whether a policy covers a device depends on the policy, the plan type and federal rules, which the plan and Massachusetts's insurance regulator can confirm.