Hearing aids are a medical device that significantly improves the quality of life of wearers. Many people who struggle with hearing loss are unable to afford the out-of-pocket cost of hearing aids, which can range in price from $1,000 to $4,000 each. Most private insurance doesn’t cover specialized hearing care or hearing devices. Many states in the United States require health insurance providers to cover hearing aids, but it’s usually only for children. In most instances, private insurance will cover the cost of a hearing test but nothing more.

Talk to Your Insurance Provider

Medicare doesn’t cover hearing aids, but certain supplemental Medicare packages such as Medicare Advantage plans, do include coverage for hearing aids. Private insurers may offer discounts on hearing aids purchased from specific suppliers. Before upgrading to a better hearing aid or making an appointment to get fitted for your first pair, contact your insurance provider to find out what’s covered.

 

Private health insurance covers all or part of the cost of different health treatments and services, allows you to choose your doctor and hospital, and provides coverage for health services excluded by Medicare. The coverage offered by a private health plan depends on your personal policy and insurer as well as whether you’re claiming a benefit for hospital or extras cover. Medicare benefits are limited and exclude hearing aids and other accessories.

 

iSelect.com.au breaks down everything you need to know about health insurance coverage, including health insurance waiting periods, hospital and extras cover, family health insurance, and how to switch insurance plans.

Why are hearing aids not covered by insurance?

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Insurance companies consider hearing aids as elective accessories, even though those dealing with hearing loss depend on hearing aids. Loss of normal hearing has a ripple effect on your quality of life, impacting everything from relationships to work to mental and physical health.

 

Insurance companies are in the business of making money and even though hearing loss is natural with age, they face a high risk that many people will need hearing aids at an affordable price. Hearing loss is considered a likely risk that will cause many people to eventually make a claim. Millions of claims coupled with the high costs of hearing aids that need to be replaced every five years would result in insurance companies making less profit.

 

The first step toward finding the best hearing aid at an affordable price is to undergo a hearing test. A hearing specialist needs to determine your level of hearing loss and the type of hearing loss you’re experiencing to recommend the right hearing aid for your lifestyle.

 

Hearing Health USA offers top rated hearing aids from the best hearing aid companies in the industry including Starkey, Signia, Phonak, ReSound, and Widex. Different hearing aids come with different functions and advanced features such as recharge batteries, smartphone app, and wireless connectivity capabilities including Bluetooth connection. Once an audiologist assesses your degree of hearing loss, they will recommend the best type of hearing aid for optimum sound quality.

Hearing Health USA offers financing options, extended warranties, and a 45-day-risk-free trial of new hearing aids to ensure you are wearing the best pair of hearing aids for your level of hearing loss. There are several different models of hearing aids in different price ranges that provide noise reduction, clear sound quality, and discreet, comfortable fits. Different hearing aid models include In-the-Ear (ITE), Completely-in-Canal (CIC), Invisible-in-the-Canal (IIC), Behind-the-Ear (BTE), and Receiver-in-Canal (RIC).

The best way to pay less out of pocket for hearing aids is to get the best type of hearing aid for your degree of hearing loss. Modern hearing aids are equipped with new technology and advanced features at additional costs. An audiologist can help you determine what you need in a hearing aid to achieve the best sound quality at an affordable price. If your health plan doesn’t cover the cost of hearing aids, see if your Health Savings Account is an option and ask about adding health extras to your current health coverage. Always purchase hearing aids from trusted sources who can help you find an affordable option that meets your hearing needs.