Health insurance can be a huge benefit to those with health needs who want help with care and payment plans. Although these plans can be cumbersome and difficult to understand, they are worth the due diligence.
About 28.8 million US adults could benefit from using hearing aids, yet not everyone has access to them. Whether it’s to do with financial constraints, putting others first, or simply prioritizing others needs, millions of Americans could see benefits from hearing aids, but have not sought them out— yet!
In some cases, it’s because the person has not taken the necessary steps; but in most cases, it’s because people are not taking advantage of insurance programs. Insurance plans can be tricky to read and stressful to figure out; that’s where we come in.
Blue Cross Blue Shield is one of the largest insurance providers in the world. Having this kind of experience in your corner can be a huge asset.
In this article, I will discuss the most popular and affordable options Blue Cross Blue Shield offers.
There are other plans not listed that can help you, as well. So if you don’t see anything in your Blue Cross Blue Shield plan that matches your needs, please contact us to check your insurance benefits, and we can walk you through all your options.
For now, let’s start with the basics to get your hearing back on track.
Utilize Medicare
Using Medicare is very common, as many people who experience hearing loss are over the age of 65. This can be a great partnership that will benefit your hearing and keep you healthy for many more years to come, since Medicare alone does not cover hearing aids.
Here are the best combinations of Blue Cross Blue Shield and Medicare:
BlueEssential Or BlueCare Plus—HMO
Choosing one of these plans will allow you to work with a professional that you select from a list of approved audiologists.
If you would like to work with someone outside of the plan’s network, there may be limitations or it may be prohibited altogether.
BlueEssential plans are careful not to make any mention of benefits for hearing aids. This means that if you’re looking specifically for hearing aid assistance, you’ll have to purchase an add-on feature to cover them.
BlueCare Plus (BCP) offers more coverage with its basic plan. But if you have specific needs you should read the fine print to ensure everything is covered, so you’ll be sure you’re getting the covered care that you need.
If you find that not everything is covered under your plan, BCP offers add-ons to customize your service as well.
Blue Advantage—PPO
“PPO” stands for “preferred provider organization,” meaning your choice in providers is more flexible than what is offered by HMO plans.
Choosing from their own network is still encouraged, but with a Blue Advantage plan you get access to more specialists and a wider range of choices in general.
Should you choose to go outside the network, the process is made much easier for you, to ensure you get the care you want.
Hearing aids are a priority with the PPO plan, and policy owners can look forward to these features:
- Choice of two models
- Premium models that include 48 channels, 6 programs, and 10 styles
- Advanced models that include 32 channels, 6 programs, and 10 styles
- Forty-five-day no-commitment trial period
- Three follow-up visits with your in-network provider for fitting and adjustments
- Three-year manufacturer warranty for repairs and one-time loss and damage replacement.
Blue Elite
This is a Medicare supplement that offers you the most flexibility. You can choose from any professional (whether they’re in the network or not) without official references.
Obtaining hearing aids may still require an add-on to your policy, but the process is much more straightforward with Blue Elite.
Non-Medicare Blue Cross Blue Shield Plans
For those not eligible for Medicare, there are still plenty of options available from private companies. These will work well with those who need care before they turn 65 years of age.
Still, in most cases you will have to add on hearing aid services, as they are usually outside basic packages. Many programs are customizable, so you can get exactly what you need in a way that fits your budget.
How to Choose a Plan
Some of these programs may seem complicated initially, but insurance companies are here to help, not harm! By offering something that suits everyone’s unique needs, sometimes the fine print gets a little hard to read. If this is a bit overwhelming, please let us help.
The first step is to schedule an appointment with one of our insurance specialists. We will be able to discuss your specific needs, and also what you don’t need, from each plan. Our insurance specialist is more than happy to read the fine print for you, so both parties know what’s covered and what isn’t for your specific plan.
If you already have an insurance policy and are unsure if you’re eligible for hearing aids, we can help you sort through the particulars. We have experience and a working relationship with all insurers here in Texas.
Check your insurance benefits with us today. We are standing by to help treat your hearing loss every step of the way.
Contact us anytime if you have questions about your hearing or that of a loved one.
