As the year winds down, many people rush to use their remaining health benefits before they expire. If you have been thinking about improving your hearing, upgrading your hearing aids, or finally scheduling a hearing test, now is the ideal time to take advantage of your year end insurance, FSA, or HSA benefits.
At Live Better Hearing + Balance, we meet many patients who are surprised to learn that their hearing care expenses are eligible for FSA or HSA funds, and that certain insurance plans may contribute toward hearing aids or related services. This guide is designed to help you understand how these benefits work, what they can be used for, and how to make the most of them before the calendar resets.
Many health benefits operate on a yearly cycle. Some expire on December 31, while others reset in January. When that happens, unused funds are lost or rolled over in limited ways.
Here are the most common scenarios:
This means year end is a smart time to schedule a hearing test, invest in new hearing aids, or handle repairs, accessories, and follow-up care.
Before exploring how to use these benefits, here is a quick refresher.
FSAs are one of the most important accounts to use before the year ends because unused funds may be forfeited.
HSAs do not expire, but using them at year end may help lower taxable income or reduce your immediate medical costs.
Yes. Hearing aids are eligible purchases for both FSAs and HSAs.
You can typically use your funds for:
Most patients use FSA or HSA dollars to cover out-of-pocket costs that insurance does not pay for.
If you need help understanding what your plan covers, Live Better Hearing + Balance offers a free benefits check and consultation at every location.
Many patients are surprised by how many hearing-related services and items can be covered by FSA or HSA funds. While we are not tax advisors, the IRS generally allows these funds to be used for medical expenses related to hearing health.
Examples include:
Many hearing aid parts and accessories may be covered by HSA and FSA funds, including:
Hearing aid repair fees or service needs are often eligible medical expenses.
Your plan may cover hearing tests and evaluations when medically necessary. If not, FSA or HSA funds can often be used.
Many tinnitus treatment and management services qualify as medical care.
Over-the-counter items like ear drops or bulb syringes are often eligible.
Captioned telephones, personal amplifiers, and other adaptive hearing technology may qualify.
IRS guidelines often allow reimbursement for:
These expenses can sometimes be paid through FSAs or HSAs when directly tied to medical visits.
Always consult your plan for specific eligibility.
Coverage varies widely. Some insurance plans provide:
This is why our free insurance benefits check is so valuable. We verify your coverage, explain what your plan provides, and help you understand your out-of-pocket costs before you make any decisions. See what insurance plans we work with.
Aside from using expiring benefits, year end is a great time to upgrade because:
Even if your current hearing aids still work, upgrading can significantly improve speech understanding, especially in noisy environments. Many new hearing aids, including Starkey's Omega AI and Phonak's Infinio Sphere, have significantly improved performance in noisy situations, and features like long-lasting rechargeable batteries, 360 degree environmental awareness, advanced connectivity, and more.
We make the process simple and stress-free.
This service is complimentary. Some additional diagnostic services, including hearing exams, may be covered by your insurance plan.
Yes. Prescription hearing aids and many related expenses are eligible.
Most unused FSA funds expire. Some plans allow small rollovers or grace periods.
Most insurance plans require a recent hearing test before covering hearing aids.
Many are. Coverage varies by plan, and our team can check this for you.
Year end appointments fill quickly at our clinics throughout Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. If you want to maximize your benefits and learn more about your coverage, now is the ideal time to schedule.
Click here to book your free consultation and benefits check or call us at (888) 432-7505.
Start the new year with clearer hearing, better communication, and renewed confidence. We hope to hear from you soon!
