Depending on your particular insurance plan, hearing exams, devices, repairs, and batteries may not be a covered benefit. If you have an employer-sponsored plan, your employer may have purchased a specific “rider” that does cover hearing healthcare. However, the person you are speaking to about your benefits may not know that and may not think to look, giving you less-than-perfect information about your healthcare coverage.
In addition to this “hidden” benefit, there are normally restrictions on who can use a hearing aid benefit like age, student status, or dependent status on the plan. Normally, if there’s an insurance benefit to be had after age 26 (dependent cut off time), you’re out of luck. Some insurance companies will offer discounts through programs like TruHearing, however, you’ll be limited to whatever devices are available under that plan.
Here are some good questions to ask your insurance carrier or, better yet, to ask them before you sign up or renew your plan:
1.) Is hearing healthcare covered under this plan (if not, ask if they have a similar one that offers it)?
2.) Are there restrictions on who can exercise this hearing aid benefit (it will do you no good if they only cover hearing aids for children and you’re 45.)?
3.) What kind of deductible will I need to meet in order to have you pay out on a hearing aid claim?
4.) What is the allowable maximum for hearing care under this plan?
5.) What kind of co-pay will I be expected to pay?
6.) Can I see any provider or does it have to be one in your network?
7.) Does this plan cover repairs, batteries, or replacement?
These are all great questions to ask your insurance company before signing up or before renewing your plan. If are in the Portland, Oregon area and you’d rather let our office do the footwork, we’d be happy to investigate your insurance benefits for you before you step foot into the office. That way, you know we’re the best possible place to receive help. If we can’t provide you with what you need, we can point you in the right direction.