If you’re verifying your Medicare plan or arranging for new coverage this open enrollment season, prick up your ears. Make sure you understand your plan’s hearing benefit, especially if you currently use hearing aids, think you may need them soon or if you’re helping your parents sort out their insurance options.
Dr. Cara Bedore, certified audiologist and owner of Center for Better Hearing in Queensbury, offered this advice on how to do your research on insurance hearing benefits. She has more than 20 years’ experience in diagnostic evaluations and hearing loss rehabilitation for patients of all ages.
Call the insurance company directly
It may not be enough to rely on written or online descriptions of hearing benefits, Dr. Bedore said. “Sometimes a plan says there is a hearing benefit and that’s it.” You may have to dig for information about exactly what is covered. To get the full details about hearing coverage, call the customer service number for the insurance plan and speak with a representative.
Find out about hearing coverage in your area
People are often unpleasantly surprised to learn that even though they have a hearing benefit, they will be required to travel a long distance to see a provider. Dr. Bedore said she recently saw a husband and wife at Center for Better Hearing who were unaware that their plan required them to drive 50 miles for hearing services.
“Ask for the list of covered providers in your area,” Dr. Bedore advised. That way, you’ll know whether you can see an audiologist close to home. Dr. Bedore said the couple decided to wait for open enrollment, which runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 this year, and switch to a plan with local coverage.
Ask which hearing aids are covered
Some plans cover only specific hearing aid brands, Dr. Bedore said. “A benefit that covers only certain hearing aids may not be the best option for your hearing,” she said. “A plan that gives the audiologist flexibility, allows us to fit people appropriately and doesn’t dictate which hearing aids or which company we have to use will be a better choice,” she said.
Understand the meaning of “discount”
If you’re looking into a plan that offers a discount on hearing aids, that might look like a good deal. However, it’s very important to understand what this discount really means, Dr. Bedore said. Some plans that offer a discount on hearing aid price do not cover the cost of audiology services.
Not what you want to hear
“A hearing aid discount program can end up compromising the quality of care for people,” Dr. Bedore said. “They may purchase the discounted hearing aids and think they got a great price. But then they don’t return to the audiologist for routine adjustments and follow-up, because they have to pay for the cost of these services out of pocket. They got the discount but no service.”
Look for local, flexible coverage
Center for Better Hearing works with a variety of insurance companies, Dr. Bedore said. “It’s important that people do their due diligence to find out if they can see a provider in their area who has flexibility on choosing hearing devices.”
To schedule an appointment at Center for Better Hearing, call 518.798.4800 or visit hearingbest.com.
