H.R. 500 — Medicare Hearing Aid Coverage Act of 2025

This section removes the exclusion of hearing aids and examinations therefor from Medicare coverage under parts A and B (previously excluded under SSA §1862(a)(7)), effective for items and services furnished on or after January 1, 2026. (Thus, Medicare will cover hearing aids and related examinations for beneficiaries, which are currently not covered as not reasonable and necessary for diagnosis or treatment.)

This section directs the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study of federal programs and health insurance coverage that provide assistance for hearing aids and related examinations for individuals with hearing loss, including the number of such individuals needing hearing aids, their coverage under such programs, program effectiveness in meeting that need, and (optionally) programs to reduce or mitigate hearing loss incidence. The section further requires the Comptroller General to submit a report to Congress on the study—including recommendations for changes to such programs or establishment of new programs—not later than 18 months after the date specified in section 2(b).