Here at Audicles, one of the most common questions we are asked is, “Will my insurance cover the cost of my hearing aids?”
While it is very much dependent on our patients’ selected insurance plan, at Audicles we try to offer as much support as we can and we wanted to share some information to help our patients navigate the often-complex world of insurance plans and legislation.
How much do hearing aids cost?
With such a wide selection of different hearing aids available, the price range varies also. They can add up to a significant amount of money and like many investments, you get what you pay for. Our hearing professionals work with you to ascertain what features you really do need and which you will not in order to select the best hearing aid for you. Please have a look through this article as it details financing options and questions to ask your insurance provider. We understand that not all insurance providers will cover the entire cost of your hearing aids – if yours doesn’t, we can discuss financing plans with you.
Types of cover available
The main types of cover available are:
Medicare – Does not normally cover hearing aids
Medicaid – We have found that most programs do cover hearing aid costs, either in full or partially.
Veterans Administration Benefits – Through Veterans Administration Healthcare Facilities, qualified veterans can access hearing aids.
Private Health Insurance – Dependent on your individual plan
What does my plan cover?
Each policy has different levels of care and what will be included varies greatly from provider to provider and plan to plan. If you have a copy of your policy, have a read through and see what it does include. You can always contact your insurer directly for a direct, definite answer. You need to ask them whether your policy will cover your hearing aid costs in full, and if not, how much will they cover. Some plans specify you have to use a certain hearing aid provider, so it’s best to check if this is the case. Furthermore, insurance companies sometimes specify what type of hearing aid they will cover, so it’s best to ask them if there is a list you have to choose from. It is also worth asking how they settle the cost. Some providers ask the patient to pay the bill and will then reimburse them, while others will pay the bill directly.
Legislation was passed in 2017 which meant that insurance companies have to provide cover of costs for hearing aids for children. Please contact us if you would like any further information regarding this and to find out how your child can benefit from this legislation.
We are here to help
Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions, or feel free to ask us during your appointment and we will do all we can to help you find out whether your health insurance package covers the cost of your new hearing aids.
