Your Hearing Aids May Be Covered by Insurance
We’re not going to cover up the fact that hearing aids require a significant financial investment.
Since you probably don’t have a lot of extra cash lying around, one of your first questions related to hearing aids may be related to medical insurance coverage.
Are my hearing aids covered by my insurance policy? Our insurance experts are here to help you navigate this complex process.
Insurance is a confusing subject for most people. Wading through the pages of fine print that describe what is covered, qualifying criteria, out-of-pocket expenses, riders, limitations of coverage, level of benefits, etc. is overwhelming.
Making things worse, various insurance companies offer different plans, which makes it difficult to understand exactly what you’re entitled to.
At North Houston Hearing Solutions, we want to ensure that everyone who would benefit from hearing aids has access to them, so we do everything we can to help maximize your insurance benefits.
Our in-office insurance expert helps eliminate the confusion and frustration by checking your insurance benefits on your behalf, making sure you get all the financial assistance you’re entitled to from your policy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Insurance Coverage for Hearing Aids
Q. Why do I need insurance for my hearing aids?
A. Let’s be honest: your financial investment into hearing aids is significant, and you will probably need a little help coming up with the necessary funds.
Q: How do I know if my health insurance covers hearing aids?
A: Some private health insurance companies provide basic coverage for a comprehensive hearing evaluation and hearing aids in their Medicare supplement plans, but the extent of coverage is different between insurance providers and plan types.
Q: What may not be covered by my health insurance?
A: Hearing aid-related items and services not typically covered by health insurance policies include:
- Tinnitus maskers
- Group hearing loss screenings
- Replacement hearing aid batteries and ear molds
- FM systems or computer-aided hearing devices for FM systems
- Pocket talkers
- Duplicate hearing aid(s) for backup use
- Disposable hearing aids, non-electronic hearing aids, battery chargers
Q: What factors can affect the insurance premium for hearing aids?
A: Eligibility requirements for most insurance policies include:
- Ages 20 and younger receiving services under any medical assistance program
- A comprehensive hearing assessment with an audiogram, sound field speech audiometry, or equivalent testing methods performed under the supervision of an otolaryngologist or licensed audiologist
- Written documentation of your test results from a licensed audiologist, otorhinolaryngologist, or otologist and a written recommendation for hearing aids
- Obtaining your hearing aids within six months of the date of the recommendation
Q: Which providers are certified to bill your insurance for hearing services and hearing aids?
A: To be certified to bill your insurance, your hearing care provider, which can include audiologists, hearing aid service providers, and otolaryngologists—or audiologists, otolaryngologists, and hearing instrument dispensers employed by outpatient hospitals and clinics—must be recognized as a legitimate provider by your insurance company.
Q: Are hearing tests and hearing screenings covered for patients under 21 years of age?
A: Hearing evaluation appointments for patients under 21 years of age are covered by health insurance policies, including:
- Newborn hearing screening (before the infant is discharged after birth)
- Hearing screening for children under 21 years (Preventive Pediatric Health Care for age-specific intervals and routine standardized hearing tests if testing indicates hearing loss)
Q: Are hearing aid costs and hearing services tax-deductible?
A: Hearing aids and hearing aid batteries are listed among the medical devices eligible as a tax deduction according to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), as are the audiology visits and tests necessary to obtain and maintain the device.
Q. Is accidental damage covered by hearing aid insurance?
A. No. Damage and repairs to your hearing aids are usually covered by the manufacturer’s warranty for your hearing aids, not by your health insurance.
Q. Do insurance plans offer coverage for lost or stolen hearing aids?
A. No. Lost or stolen hearing aids are also covered by your hearing aid manufacturer’s warranty rather than your health insurance.
We Can Help You Get the Most Coverage Available from Your Insurance Policy
You can avoid the time-consuming and frustrating work of trying to determine whether hearing aids are covered by your insurance, because North Houston Hearing Solutions has an insurance specialist on our team.
Our insurance experts know the lingo of the insurance business as well as how to navigate through the fine print to ensure that you get all the financial benefits you’re entitled to from your policy. We partner with and are recognized as certified providers for Texas insurance companies like:
We can take away the worry of insurance coverage before your initial consultation, so when you arrive for your appointment with one of our doctors of audiology we can focus on your hearing health.
Check My Insurance Coverage
Our in-office insurance experts can help eliminate the confusion and frustration that could prevent you from getting the help you need by checking your insurance coverage and making sure you receive the financial assistance you’re entitled to.
Use the adjacent form to let us check your insurance coverage for you, and then we’ll get back to you with what we find out.
Don’t want to wait? Call us at: 346-482-4100
Meet Your Team
Norma A. Aguilera
Hearing Instrument Specialist
Dr. Angela F. Poe
DOCTOR OF AUDIOLOGY
Dr. Lacey Brooks
DOCTOR OF AUDIOLOGY & TINNITUS SPECIALIST
Dr. Carly Caughlan
Doctor of Audiology
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