Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act of 2025

This bill expands Medicare so people can see an audiologist for hearing and balance care without needing a doctor’s referral. Medicare would cover diagnostic tests now, and also cover treatment by audiologists starting January 1, 2027. Audiologists could provide these services on their own, as long as state law allows it, similar to how a doctor would be paid for the same care . The change also recognizes audiologists in rural health clinics and community health centers, helping more patients get care close to home .

The bill does not widen what kinds of services Medicare pays for overall; it mainly lets audiologists deliver and bill for covered services directly. All updates take effect for care provided on or after January 1, 2027 . In short, it aims to make hearing and balance care easier to get for older adults and others on Medicare .

• Who is affected | What changes | When
• Medicare patients with hearing or balance issues; audiologists; rural and community health clinics | Direct access to audiologists without a doctor’s referral; Medicare pays for diagnostic services now and treatment by audiologists starting in 2027; audiologists counted as clinic practitioners | Applies to services on and after January 1, 2027