While straight Medicare does not cover hearing aids, some Medicare Advantage Plans offer a benefit towards hearing aids. Each plan and each benefit is different and then other plans will have no benefit at all. Beware, sometimes this “benefit” is simply a discount and may not be the best value for you.
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.” I have seen many patients in our Crystal River and Inverness offices of Gardner Audiology after they have visited another contracted provider. Unfortunately, many times the common complaint was that it was going to cost them more for those hearing aids AFTER the insurance discount/benefit (sometimes as much as $1000 more), than coming directly into 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”, get a second opinion! Additionally, know who you are working with. Many offices are staffed only with Hearing Instrument Specialists (6-12 months of training) instead of audiology doctors.
Insurance can be intimidating to navigate. Call Gardner Audiology at 1-800-277-1182 and let us help you determine if you have hearing aid benefits and what is the best value to you.
