The co-payment and assumption of costs for hearing aids by Barmer
Overview of grants for the hard of hearing*
| Health insurance | 1. hearing aid | 2. hearing aid |
Repair flat rate** (per hearing aid) |
| VdEk (Barmer, DAK, HEK, HKK, KKH, Techniker) | €690.15 | €690,15 | €154.70 |
| AOK Baden- Württemberg | 685€ | 532€ | €125 |
| AOK Hessen | 680€ | 527€ | €120 |
| BKK Bundesverband | €719 | 569€ | €150 |
| BKK Verbund (Pronova,Schwenninger, Audi & Siemens BKK) | €685 | €532 | €125 |
| BKK Bahn | 685€ | 532€ | €125 |
| Knappschaft/ LKK | €650 | 494€ | €120 |
| IKK classic | 685€ | 532€ | €125 |
| IKK Verbund | 685€ | 532€ | €125 |
| BIG | 685€ | 532€ | €125 |
* WHO 2- 3
** Flat-rate repair fee = contractual arrangement between the service provider (hearing aid acoustician) and statutory health insurance companies, which covers all repairs/new production of earmolds for hearing aids that are only covered by health insurance (without additional payment) within the standard period of use of six years.
Barmer Ersatzkasse is one of the largest statutory health insurers in Germany and offers its policyholders a range of benefits when it comes to hearing aid care. From co-payment to full cost coverage - the scope of these benefits can vary depending on individual needs and specific regulations.
The basic provision of hearing aids with BarmerBarmer covers the full cost of standard hearing aid provision, subject to a statutory co-payment of €10 per hearing aid. This applies to all insured persons aged 18 and over. Children and young people are exempt from the co-payment.
Amount of the co-payment and fixed subsidiesBarmer offers a fixed allowance for standard hearing aids, which generally covers the costs. However, if insured persons opt for a higher-quality device with more functions, they must bear the additional costs themselves. The fixed allowance remains the same, which means that the insured person's co-payment is correspondingly higher if they choose a more expensive device.
Contractual partners and subsidiesBarmer works with a number of contractual partners where insured persons can obtain hearing aids at no additional cost or for a small co-payment. These hearing aid acousticians are obliged to meet Barmer's quality standards, which guarantees insured persons high-quality care.
Loss or defect of the hearing aidIf the hearing aid is lost or damaged, Barmer's replacement provision may apply. The conditions for this should be clarified with the health insurance company in advance, as it may be necessary for the insured person to share the costs.
Cost coverage in 2024 and beyondBarmer will continue to cover the costs of basic hearing aid provision in 2024. It is to be expected that this regulation will not change significantly in the following years. However, insured persons should keep themselves regularly informed of any changes.
Reimbursement of hearing aids by BarmerBarmer reimburses the cost of a hearing aid if it is prescribed by a doctor and the device is purchased from one of its contractual partners. The amount of reimbursement depends on the type of hearing aid in question and the tariff agreements.
Conclusion: Comprehensive care with individual co-paymentWith its hearing aid provision, Barmer offers its policyholders basic cover that fully covers the costs in many cases. The individual co-payment depends on personal needs and the desired additional functions of the hearing aids. A personal consultation with the health insurance company or a qualified hearing aid acoustician can help to find the optimal solution for the individual case.
Frequently asked questions about hearing aid provision at Barmer
1. How much is the co-payment for a hearing aid with Barmer? The statutory co-payment is 10 euros per hearing aid for insured persons over the age of 18.
2. What happens if I lose my hearing aid? If the hearing aid is lost, Barmer can provide a replacement under certain conditions. The details should be clarified on a case-by-case basis.
3. How often does Barmer cover the cost of a new hearing aid? As a rule, insured persons are entitled to a new hearing aid every six years if this is medically necessary.