It is stated that about 15% of adults in the United States have difficulties hearing. Leaving hearing difficulties untreated can lead to other issues, including feelings of social isolation, difficulties communicating, and a higher risk of dementia, depression, and loneliness. While insurance covers a lot of things, does it also cover hearing aids?
It can be quite expensive to get hearing aids, causing some people to not seek treatment. Some insurance plans may offer coverage for hearing aids, while others don’t. To find out if insurance covers hearing aids, you will need to check your policy along with the insurance companies that offer that coverage.
Not properly treating your hearing difficulties and making them worse can lead to higher insurance rates and quotes, making it quite difficult to afford.
What Are Hearing Aids?
Heading aids are a wearable device that makes hearing a lot better by increasing sounds, so people with hearing loss can hear and communicate better in different situations.
This device consists of a speaker, a microphone, and an amplifier, making it good enough. The microphone collects sound waves, converts them to electrical signals, and then transports them to the amplifier.
When the amplifier receives it, it enhances the signals and transports them to the ear through the speaker.
Hearing aids have advanced components that render additional features such as tinnitus management, noise reduction, and directional hearing for a better hearing experience. However, these advanced features increase the cost of hearing aids.
Why Are Hearing Aids Necessary?
If you notice you are having difficulty hearing, you should get your hearing tested as quickly as you can to assess your need for hearing aids. Irrespective of age, anyone can have some level of hearing loss, while there is a possibility of having an increased hearing disability as we age older.
Hearing aids allow people with hearing loss to listen to conversations, engage in daily activities better, and have social interactions.
Does Insurance Cover Hearing Aids?
Generally, health insurance does not cover hearing aids, which is why most people choose not to get a hearing aid after a diagnosis. Some private insurance company policies, like Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans and Medicaid, can offer coverage for this device.
These private insurance companies, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, and Humana, can offer insurance coverage for hearing aids, partially or completely, depending on your insurance plan.
Generally, Medicare does not cover hearing aids, routine hearing tests, or hearing aid fittings. But if your insurance company requests hearing and balance tests to determine whether you need further medical attention or not, your Medicare Part B will not cover the cost of the diagnostics.
Without your doctor’s order, Medicare covers the cost of seeing an audiologist once every year for non-acute hearing difficulties and surgically treated hearing loss-related diagnostic services. In summary, Medicare Part B does not cover hearing aids on its own.
Some Medicare Advantage plans may offer insurance benefits that are not covered by the original Medicare insurance. These benefits include hearing tests, hearing aid device repairs, and hearing aids and fittings for the device.
This coverage varies by insurer and the insurance plan. It is similar to private health insurance; insurance coverage is most often available in the form of discount programs other than a standard benefit.
How to Find Out if Your Insurance Policy Covers Hearing Aids
When you create a budget for hearing aid purchases and you begin your search, it is a good idea to contact your health insurance company to see what hearing benefits are included in your policy. Before you call, ensure you have the following information ready:
- Your health insurance ID number.
- Your preferred hearing aid brands and models.
- Your audiogram and hearing aid prescription.
After providing this information, proceed with contacting your insurance company for hearing aid benefits on your policy. After this, ask all the questions about your health insurance policy benefits and confirm whether they cover hearing aids.
What if My Insurance Policy Does Not Offer Hearing Aid Benefits?
If, after checking your insurance policy benefits, you are not offered hearing aid benefits, there are some steps you can take. Hearing aid benefits are common among health insurance companies and plans. If you are a Medicare beneficiary or you meet the requirements for Medicare and your insurance policy does not have hearing aid benefits, you can follow the below steps.
- Visit the Medicare website and click on health and drug plans.
- From the displayed menu, select Find Health and Drug Plans.
- Fill in your ZIP code to check the available Medicare Advantage plans in your area.
Each of the plans you will find there will be reviewed with a green check mark next to it. Using this method, you can easily get your hearing aid covered.
