Your quality of life and independence suffer when you experience a hearing loss. Hearing aids can make an enormous difference by restoring you to a normal lifestyle. Although they are costly, I strongly encourage my patients to take advantage of the assistance they provide. As evidence of my commitment, I have put together this guide to help determine whether you have insurance coverage for your hearing aids as well as how much assistance you can expect.
Prepare the Right Questions
Speaking to your insurance provider or insurance agent about hearing aid coverage can be intimidating. However, if you prepare the right questions before you contact them, and request specific answers, you will be more comfortable and can facilitate receiving straight answers. Here are the questions you should have ready.
- What is covered? Does the policy include both testing and instruments or just testing, but no assistive instruments (basic Medicare coverage)?
- Who can provide your hearing aids? Some plans limit you to seeing only providers included in their network. If you have gone outside the network or wish to see a non-network provider, find out how much doing so will reduce your coverage.
- How do they bill? Some providers accept direct billing from the hearing aid provider while others require that you pay the cost for the equipment up front for which they provide reimbursement.
- What restrictions and limitations are included? Restrictions and limitations can include a financial limit for each hearing aid, qualifications for various levels of hearing loss, or penalties for going out of network for your hearing care.
Contact Your Provider
Hearing care coverage mandates vary from state to state. Your basic insurance plan may or may not include hearing aids and hearing care benefits, depending upon coverage levels and riders or addendums that you might have included in your policy. Your insurance provider will have the information you need in order to determine the level of coverage benefits you can expect to receive.
Talk to Us
Carrying on a phone conversation with your insurance provider can present a challenge when you have a hearing loss. I am passionate about helping you get the help you need from hearing aids, so the Aim Hearing and Audiology family is here to help. We have plenty of experience dealing with insurance companies and we know the right questions to ask.
What to Do If Hearing Aids Aren’t Covered by Your Insurance
Although the fact that your insurance does not cover hearing aids is frustrating, this does not mean that you cannot receive financial assistance to help share their cost. Additional resources are often available in your local area, your state, or on a nationwide level. Your hearing care provider should know about these organizations and have contact information available to help you.
Hearing aids are essential to achieving the level of independence and quality of life you desire. Because I am passionate about getting you the help you need to meet the investment cost of your hearing aids, the Aim Hearing and Audiology family and I are available to provide our Greensboro, NC patients with the information you need to cover the costs of your hearing aids.
Contact me to learn more about coverage for hearing aids, or schedule an appointment with Aim Hearing and Audiology to discuss insurance and financial options by calling (336) 295-1064.
