SCAN-Costco Plans Could Bring Hearing Aids to $1,200

SCAN Health Plan and Costco have announced a Medicare Advantage partnership that offers eligible members an allowance of up to $400 toward hearing aids—potentially reducing the cost of a pair to about $1,200 when combined with the warehouse retailer’s existing prices. Announced on October 1, the SCAN Costco Medicare Advantage (HMO) will begin coverage on January 1, 2027, in 17 California counties and Nevada’s Clark and Nye counties.

The companies describe the offering as Costco’s first Medicare Advantage plans. The launch builds on an expanded partnership announced in October 2025, which included prescription savings, no-cost access to vaccines, and opportunities to use vision and wellness benefits at Costco.

How the SCAN–Costco Plan Works

The new SCAN Costco Medicare Advantage (HMO) plans pair SCAN’s healthcare coverage with benefits tied to Costco’s pharmacy, hearing aid, optical, and other retail offerings. Costco membership is not included, however, and enrollees who are not Costco members can obtain hearing aids and eyewear from other eligible providers and use their OTC benefits at participating retailers.

For hearing healthcare, the central feature is an allowance of up to $400 toward hearing aids. Costco’s promotional page describes it as an annual benefit that lowers members’ out-of-pocket costs on eligible hearing aids at Costco. Benefit amounts and availability vary by plan.

Costco sells premium prescription hearing aids through its Hearing Aid Centers, with hearing testing, fitting, and follow-up care available through the retailer. Popular models include Rexton Reach R Plus, Philips HearLink, Jabra Enhance Pro 30, and Sennheiser Sonite Rise. Its advertised packages start at approximately $1,600 for two hearing aids and a charger.

Applying the full $400 allowance to an eligible package at that price would bring the hearing aid purchase cost to about $1,200-$1,300. This figure is based on current pricing and the advertised allowance, not a newly announced SCAN-Costco package price. Actual costs will depend on the selected devices, local prices, and the member’s plan benefits. Costco notes that prices vary by state, and custom earmolds cost extra.

Because members can also obtain hearing aids elsewhere, the allowance could support purchases from other eligible providers. Costco’s relatively low starting prices nevertheless create a potentially compelling combination: quality premium prescription hearing aids for about $1,200 a pair after the full allowance. Ultimately, hearing care practices may face more questions about best practices and what their fees include, including device selection, fitting, verification, counseling, and follow-up care. Whether the partnership changes purchasing patterns will depend on enrollment, local access, and members’ experience using the benefit.

The arrangement could also sharpen competition with other Medicare Advantage hearing benefit plans. A larger advertised allowance does not necessarily mean lower patient costs: the price of eligible devices and the included services also shape consumer options. Comparing final out-of-pocket costs will be more useful than comparing benefit amounts alone.

The partnership could also give Costco and other hearing aid manufacturers a new way to reach potential consumers. If the approach gains traction, other insurers may pursue similar retail partnerships, emphasizing where members can buy hearing aids and what they will pay.

Costco’s rival Sam’s Club is also changing its hearing care operations. As HearingTracker reported in May, NationsBenefits is taking over employment of hearing care providers at Sam’s Club hearing centers, a role previously handled by Lucid Hearing. Although that arrangement is separate from NationsHearing’s insurance benefit programs, both developments suggest closer ties between warehouse retailers and companies experienced in serving health plan members—with potential implications for hearing aid access, product selection, and pricing.

An Initial Rollout with Broader Implications

Reporting on the partnership’s August announcement indicated that SCAN and Costco intend to develop their offerings over several years. However, no nationwide rollout has been announced, and the October launch identifies only the initial California and Nevada markets.

For hearing healthcare, the immediate question is how popular the plans become and readily used by members, as well as whether the resulting savings influence where and how they seek care.