A hearing aid is a life-changing device to any individual living with hearing loss. It drastically improves their social life, cognitive functions, increases their earning power, and improves their overall well-being. Despite its countless benefits, only 1 out of every 5 American Individuals living with hearing loss can afford it. The rest either can’t afford to pay for it or have an insurance plan that could cover it but are too confused with the technical jargon to follow it up. If you’re among the latter, then you’re in good company as our hearing specialists are always at your beck and call.
The North Houston Difference
At North Houston Hearing Solutions, we understand how beneficial a hearing aid can be. We’ve therefore partnered with a string of major insurance companies to facilitate your access to this life-changing device. Our highly proficient yet hospitable billing experts are also always willing to go the extra mile for you. They’ll hence do the heavy lifting by going through your insurance plan to find out what hearing benefits it covers.
Things You Need to Know About Your Hearing Loss
Before you take out any insurance cover, you must understand your hearing loss. In respect to that, here are two crucial things you need to know about hearing loss
- Different Degrees of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss can be;
- Sensorineural hearing loss. This kind of loss is usually permanent and usually occurs when there’s damage to the inner ear or the nerves connecting it to the brain.
- Conductive hearing loss. This kind of hearing loss is often a result of ear blockage by allergies, a benign tumor, ear infection, or even ear wax. Your hearing can be restored once the blockage is cleared.
- Mixed hearing loss can be either sensorineural or conductive.
Depending on the type of loss you’re suffering from, you may either need or not need hearing aids. Schedule a consultation with one of our audiologists in Houston today to determine this vital aspect.
- Ears Can Have Different Degrees of Hearing Loss
Your degree of hearing loss might be significant in your left ear than your right ear. Hence you may not need a hearing aid for both ears.
Types of Health Insurance Covers
With the above information in mind, take a look at the various kinds of covers available to familiarize yourself with the basics of health insurance
Public/Government Health Insurance
As the name suggests, healthcare costs of insurance holders under this category are either partially or fully covered by the government. Some standard health insurance plans under this category include
- It doesn’t cover any hearing aid costs.
- Depending on the terms on your contract, your Medicaid cover can either cover your hearing aid costs partially or in full.
- The Veteran’s Health Administration benefits cover. This kind of plan covers the full costs of hearing aids for qualified veterans.
Private Health Insurance
This is the most common type of health insurance as it covers over 65.4% of Americans under the age of 65. Depending on the terms of the contract, private health insurance can cover the costs of hearing aid partially, wholly or none at all.
Questions That’ll Help You Land the Best Insurance Provider
If you’re yet to take a health insurance cover but considering doing so, here are important questions to ask potential providers during insurance hunting.
1. Does My Insurance Cover Hearing Aid Costs?
As an individual living with hearing loss, you want an insurer who is willing to cover either part or the full costs of a hearing aid.
2. Is the Benefit Limited to Specific Hearing Aid Brands or Technology?
Some insurers are often open to covering the costs of your hearing aid but limit you to specific devices or offer a certain price range. Asking your provider this question is of the essence as you may want a hearing aid device with premium features, only to realize your insurance covers a basic device.
3. Do I have the Freedom to get it from Any Hearing Aid Provider?
Other insurers will cover the costs of any hearing aid you want but have partnered with specific hearing aid providers. While this is great, it limits your Freedom of exploring other better hearing clinics.
4. Can You Bill the Health Plan Directly?
Some insurance companies often require you to pay the hearing aid costs upfront and then later submit the receipts and paperwork involved for a reimbursement. Others are often willing to bill the clinic directly.
5. Are There any Stipulations for Coverage?
As noted, there’re different forms of hearing loss. Thus, some insurers usually require your hearing loss to have reached a certain degree for you to enjoy the benefits.
Final Thoughts
A hearing aid allows you to enjoy life in a much better way. If you’re unsure whether your plan covers hearing aid costs, fill in our form or request a callback and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
