Medibank Hearing Aids & Hearing Test Cover: extras & rebates
Around 3.6 million Australians live with hearing loss — and the cost of quality hearing aids can run from $2,000 to over $10,000 per pair. If you hold Medibank Private health insurance, your Extras cover may significantly reduce that out-of-pocket expense.
This guide covers everything you need to know: which plans include hearing aids, exactly how much you can claim back, how hearing tests fit in, and a step-by-step walkthrough of the Medibank claiming process.
Medibank health insurance: an overview
Hospital Cover
Hospital Cover pays for treatment as a private patient in hospital — including surgery, accommodation, theatre fees, and intensive care. Hospital cover does not include hearing aids.
Extras Cover
Extras Cover pays for a wide range of out-of-hospital health services and items, including dental, optical, physiotherapy, psychology — and crucially for this guide, hearing aids. All hearing aid benefits are delivered exclusively through the Extras component of your policy.
Members can hold Hospital cover alone, Extras cover alone, or a bundled Hospital + Extras policy. Medibank's Extras plans are tiered by the percentage of costs returned to you (60%, 75%, or 90%), with higher tiers offering higher annual limits for services like hearing aids.
A key feature of Medibank's network is Members' Choice providers — a panel of preferred health professionals and suppliers with negotiated, capped fee schedules. Attending a Members' Choice provider means Medibank pays a higher benefit, leaving you with lower gap costs. For hearing aid purchases, this distinction matters significantly.
Does Medibank cover hearing aids?
Medibank Private does cover hearing aids under its Top Extras plans. Benefits range from $400 to $1,200 per person per year depending on your plan tier. Medibank pays 100% of the cost back at Members' Choice providers, up to your annual limit.
Two time conditions apply to every claim: a 36-month waiting period must be completed before your first claim, and a 60-month (5-year) benefit replacement period must be served between successive hearing aid claims. These conditions apply regardless of which Top Extras tier you hold.
Medibank and hearing aids
Hearing aids are classified by Medibank as a health appliance and sit within the Extras benefit category. The device must be purchased in Australia from a provider with a valid ABN, and you must have an itemised receipt or invoice. Medibank will also pay benefits towards any out-of-pocket cost you incur when purchasing a hearing aid under a government-subsidised program, such as the Australian Hearing Services Scheme — meaning Extras benefits and government subsidies can work in combination.
Does Medibank cover hearing tests?
Medibank's Top Extras plans cover the purchase of hearing aid devices. However, standalone audiology consultation fees — for example, a diagnostic hearing assessment without a device purchase — are not listed as a separate benefit category on standard Top Extras 60, 75, or 90 plans.
Some corporate plans or specialist extras tiers may include allied health benefits that extend to audiology. Always check your individual Cover Summary in My Medibank or call Medibank on 132 331 to verify what is included on your specific policy.
Types of Medibank hearing cover
Understanding the different levels of Medibank Extras cover helps you choose the right plan for your hearing health needs. Medibank structures its Top Extras hearing aid cover around three percentage tiers:
Top Extras 60
60% - back at Members' Choice providers
$400/person - annual limit · 36-month wait
Top Extras 75
75% - back at Members' Choice providers
$800/person - annual limit · 36-month wait
Top Extras 90
90% - back at Members' Choice providers
$1,200/person - annual limit · 36-month wait
On all three plans, Medibank pays 100% of the invoiced cost at Members' Choice providers, up to the annual limit. The percentage (60%, 75%, 90%) refers to the benefit rate applied across the broader Extras plan for all services — hearing aids specifically are paid at 100% up to the limit at Members' Choice providers.
At non-Members' Choice providers, a lower fixed benefit amount applies regardless of what the provider charges, which typically results in a higher out-of-pocket gap.
Hearing aid cover is not available on Medibank's Basic Extras, Vital Extras, or other entry-tier Extras plans. It is exclusively a Top Extras feature. If you are uncertain which plan you hold, log in to My Medibank or call 132 331.
Benefit replacement period
The Benefit Replacement Period for hearing aids is 60 months (5 years) from the date of your previous claim. This is separate from the initial 36-month waiting period. If you claimed for a hearing aid in January 2022, you would be eligible to claim for a replacement from January 2027. The claims process for a replacement device is identical to the original claim.
Installment purchases
If you are paying off your hearing aid in instalments, Medibank will only pay your benefit once the total amount you have paid equals or exceeds your annual limit. Plan ahead if your device cost is spread across payment plans.
Medibank hearing aid cover: Plan comparison table
Plan | Hearing aid rebate | Annual Limit (per person) | Qualifying waiting period | Replacement period | Members' choice | Subsidised scheme top-up | From Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top Extras 60 |
100% up to limit |
$400 |
36 months |
60 months (5 yrs) |
✓ Yes |
✓ Yes |
From ~$13.36/wk* |
| Top Extras 75 |
100% up to limit |
$800 |
36 months |
60 months (5 yrs) |
✓ Yes |
✓ Yes |
From ~$13.36/wk* |
| Top Extras 90 |
100% up to limit |
$1,200 |
36 months |
60 months (5 yrs) |
✓ Yes |
✓ Yes |
From ~$13.36/wk* |
| Basic / Entry Extras |
✗ Not included |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
The table above summarises the key hearing aid benefits across Medibank's Top Extras plans, sourced from official Medibank Cover Summary documents and medibank.com.au (current as at May 2025).
* Indicative price for standalone Top Extras cover from medibank.com.au (April 2025 pricing). Final premiums depend on your state, age and chosen hospital cover. Source: Medibank Cover Summary documents, May 2025. Details subject to change — always verify via My Medibank or by calling 132 331.
Health fund comparison: Hearing cover in Australia
Health fund | Audiology consult | Hearing aids | Annual limit (approx.) | Other benefits | Waiting period | Replacement frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medibank Private |
Check policy |
✓ Yes |
$400 – $1,200 / person |
100% back at Members' Choice; subsidised scheme top-up |
36 months |
Every 5 years |
| Bupa |
Check policy |
✓ Yes |
Up to ~$1,500 / person |
Bupa Members First network discounts |
36 months |
Every 5 years |
| HCF |
Some plans |
✓ Yes |
Up to ~$1,000 / person |
HCF Members' Network; gap-free options |
36 months |
Every 5 years |
| NIB |
Check policy |
✓ Yes |
Up to ~$900 / person |
First Choice provider network |
36 months |
Every 5 years |
| CBHS |
Check policy |
✓ Yes |
Up to ~$700 / person |
Preferred provider network |
36 months |
Every 5 years |
| Australian Unity |
Check policy |
Some plans |
Varies by plan |
Wellness and allied health benefits |
36 months |
Every 5 years |
| Medicare (Government) |
Via GP/EPC referral |
✗ Not covered |
- |
Australian Hearing Services Scheme (eligible pensioners, DVA) |
- |
- |
Understanding how Medibank's hearing cover stacks up against other major Australian health funds helps you make an informed decision. Note that limits vary by specific policy tier — always verify the fund's current documents before choosing or switching cover.
Comparison data is approximate, sourced from publicly available fund documents as at mid-2025. Always verify directly with each fund. This table is general information only and does not constitute financial advice.
Medibank hearing aid providers
To get maximum value from your Medibank hearing aid rebate, choosing a Members' Choice provider is strongly recommended. Medibank has negotiated capped fee schedules with these providers, which controls costs and typically results in 100% of the capped charge being covered up to your annual limit — meaning zero or minimal out-of-pocket expense for the device itself (within the limit).
At a non-Members' Choice provider, Medibank pays a fixed, lower benefit amount regardless of the provider's actual charge. You pay the difference, which can be substantial for premium hearing aids.
How to find a Medibank-recognised hearing provider
- Use the Find a Provider tool
- Select "Hearing" as the service type and enter your suburb or postcode
- Filter for Members' Choice or Members' Choice Advantage providers for maximum benefit
- Confirm the clinic has a valid Australian Business Number (ABN) — required for your claim
- Ask whether the clinic can process your Medibank claim on-the-spot or whether you need to pay upfront and claim back
EarPros and Medibank
EarPros clinics work with patients who hold Medibank Private cover across Australia. Our AHPRA-registered audiologists provide itemised invoices in the correct format for Medibank claims. Find your nearest EarPros clinic.
How to claim your Medibank hearing aid rebate
Before you start: eligibility checklist
- You have served all relevant waiting periods — check under "Limits" in My Medibank
- You have served the 5-year (60-month) replacement period if you previously claimed for a hearing aid
- The hearing aid was purchased in Australia
- The provider has a valid Australian Business Number (ABN)
- You have an itemised receipt or invoice showing the provider ID or ABN, a description of the item, dated within the last two years
Option 1: Claim via the My Medibank App
Launch the My Medibank app
Tap the app, then tap Make a claim on the menu, then tap Extras. Download for iPhone or Android.Select who the claim is for
Tap Start. If more than one person is on the policy, select the correct person under Who went? Tap Change if needed.Select the service date
Tap Add Date and choose the correct date from the calendar. Tap OK.Add provider details
Search by Provider ID, by full name/business name and postcode, or choose from your previous provider list. If the provider does not appear, tap Manually enter provider details.Add item number
Tap +Add item(s), then +Add first item. Type the item number from your receipt or scroll the common items list.Add treatment details
Confirm the quantity and enter the item charge. Tap the green tick. Add more items with +Add another item if needed. Tap Confirm.Upload your receipt
Tap Upload, then take a photo with your camera or upload from your photo library. Upload supporting documents if prompted. Tap the green tick, then Confirm.Submit your claim
Check your payment details under Pay to… and update if necessary. Tap Submit claim.
Option 2: Claim online via My Medibank
Log in to My Medibank
Go to members.medibank.com.au and navigate to Claims > Health appliance & service.Select who the claim is for
Choose the correct person from the policy after clicking through the introductory slides.Add provider details
Select the service date. Search by Provider ID or name/postcode. Confirm the practice/item type from the dropdown and click Next. If the provider does not appear, click use the details above to continue to add manually.Add item number
Enter the item number from your receipt. Contact Medibank if there is no exact match.Add treatment details
Enter quantity, charge amount, and treatment date. Click Add another item if claiming multiple items from the same provider.Upload your receipt
Click the red upload button and select your receipt file/s. Multiple files are supported. Upload any required supporting documents in the same way.Add payment details
Enter your bank account name, BSB, and account number for reimbursement.Review and submit
Review all details. Click Back to make changes, or Next to submit.Confirmation
A confirmation page will display your claim ID. Keep this for reference.
Claiming for a family member
You can claim on behalf of anyone listed on your policy, but you must submit a separate claim form for each person. Without that person's consent, Medibank cannot discuss the claim details with you. To formally authorise another person to act on your behalf, complete Medibank's Authority Form.
FAQs about Medibank
Does Medibank Private cover hearing aids?
What is the Medibank hearing aid rebate amount?
Does Medibank cover hearing aids for children?
What is the Medibank hearing aid waiting period?
How long before I can claim a replacement?
Can I use any audiologist with MediBank?
How do I check my Medibank hearing aid limit?
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