Flex Benefits, Health Savings Accounts, and Insurance Coverage for Hearing

It’s time to review your benefits and coverage as the end of the year approaches. Maximizing your tax-free dollars and planning for the new year is a smart move.

However, with FSAs, HSAs, and health insurance, the situation becomes confusing quickly. This brief guide helps explain the various health spending accounts and what you can expect in terms of hearing health.

If you have any questions whatsoever, don’t hesitate to reach out to Hearing Health Center, and a member of our staff can help you navigate your hearing benefits.

Flex Spending Accounts for Hearing

There are only a few days left before you lose out on any leftover money in your Flex Spending Accounts (FSA).

One of the key differences between FSAs and HSAs is that any money left over in the former goes away once January 1st rolls around.

Now, of course, that comes with an asterisk. For 2025 going into 2026, you are allowed to carry over a maximum of $660 in your FSA, but your employer is not required to include this benefit for their accounts. It’s best to check with them to understand your specific policy.

But even with that, expect any remaining tax-free money in your FSA to disappear at the end of the year.

Your FSA funds can be used towards:

• Hearing exams and evaluations
• Hearing aids (both prescription and over-the-counter models)
• Hearing aid fittings and adjustments
• Hearing aid batteries and supplies
• Repairs and maintenance for hearing aids

So, if you have been missing parts of the conversations, struggling to hear the punchline of the joke, or frequently asking your boss to repeat what they said, an investment in your hearing health might be the smartest decision you make this year.

Health Savings Accounts for Hearing

The good news for people with Health Savings Accounts (HSA) is that any money you have left over rolls over to the following year.

While HSAs are typically only available to folks with a high-deductible health plan, individuals can contribute $4,400 for self-only coverage and $8,750 for family coverage. 

If you are 55 and over, you can also contribute an additional $1,000.

Due to the carryover and high contribution limits, taking care of your hearing health with HSA funds makes sense.

You can use your HSA to pay for:

• Comprehensive hearing exams or audiological evaluations
• Prescription hearing aids (all models and brands)
• Over-the-counter hearing aids (now allowed under the 2022 FDA rule)
• Hearing aid fittings and adjustments
• Hearing aid batteries and replacement parts
• Hearing aid repairs and maintenance

Spending time communicating, sharing, and laughing with your wife, kids, and friends is the most important part of your life.

It may be time to heed their advice and have your hearing checked.

Insurance Benefits for Hearing

When it comes to health insurance and your hearing health, the answer to ‘what are the benefits’ really depends on your plan.

Just like with dental and vision, most health insurance plans do not typically cover hearing treatment or hearing aids. 

However, hearing problems are on the rise and occurring much earlier in life. The majority of individuals with difficulty hearing and communicating are under the age of 65.

Some insurance plans are beginning to offer partial or complete coverage for hearing aids, fittings, and exams, but this coverage varies depending on your individual circumstances.

Our lobbying efforts with health insurance companies are leading to a change in hearing benefits. Let us help you check your plan and coverage. You might be pleasantly surprised.

We can help you maximize the benefits of your insurance coverage.

Need Help with Your Hearing Health? Call Hearing Health Center Today.

Communication is a cognitive function. Cognitive functioning, along with memory and balance, deteriorates rapidly when your brain doesn’t get the right amount of sound, can’t process the sound, and can’t interpret the sound it receives.

Even if you do not have flex or health savings accounts and your insurance does not include hearing benefits, do not ignore symptoms or suspicion of a hearing problem.

A hearing problem is ultimately an indication of a serious cognitive problem. Call Hearing Health Center or schedule an appointment online today.