Medicare Advantage plans are very popular in the Tampa Bay Area and many of our patients are enrolled in that type of insurance. Do those Medicare Advantage Plans pay for hearing aids? There is not a short answer to this question. Each plan is different and while some have no benefit at all, others have differing versions of a “benefit.”
Freedom and Optimum Insurance Companies offer $500 toward the purchase of one or two hearing aids…but only if you go to their contracted provider. Humana also offers a small “benefit.” Many times I have seen patients in the Zephyrhills office of Gardner Audiology after they have visited the contracted provider. The resounding theme was it was going to cost them more for those hearing aids AFTER their insurance discount/benefit (sometimes as much as $1000 more), than coming directly to our office. Some plans only offer a “discount program” which is often little or no discount at all.
Do your research and do not take anything at face value. If you are quoted a price that does not sound like a “deal” when consulting with your insurance company’s contracted provider, get a second opinion. You may also find that the person you are dealing with through your insurance is not a Doctor of Audiology. Instead, some of those insurance providers are Hearing Instrument Specialists (6 months training) and not audiologists (Masters or Doctorate degree).
Insurance can be intimidating to try to navigate. Call Gardner Audiology at 1-800-277-1182 and let us help you determine if you have hearing aid benefits.
