Can't Afford Hearing Aids? Now You May

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Can't Afford Hearing Aids? Now You May

Unless you're a veteran of the military and qualify for virtually free hearing aids from the Veterans Administration, you more than likely have to pay for your hearing aids out of pocket.

Unfortunately traditional Medicare does not pay for hearing aids. However, like many private insurance companies, Medicare will pay for the hearing test conducted by an audiologist, if prescribed by a physician.

Were you aware that some insurance companies may reimburse a portion of the cost of hearing aids?

As of January 1, 2009, Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) hearing aid insurance coverage plans went into effect for potentially 8 million federal employees, retirees and their families. The plan covers up to $1,000 total per ear every three years for adults ages 22 and over. While the benefits cover only a portion of the cost of hearing aids, they provide significant assistance for people with hearing loss.

The benefits described here are not a guarantee of coverage. Check with your health insurance for individual coverage details.

If your health insurance does not include a hearing aid benefit, there are other available means.

Use a medical flexible spending account. Many employers let you contribute a portion of your pretax income to such plans. The proceeds can be used toward any healthcare cost, including hearing aids.

Deduct the cost from your taxes. Healthcare costs that exceed 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income can be deducted from your federal income taxes if you itemize. Hearing aids can be deducted this way.

If you have limited means, there are some not-for-profit organizations that can help.

Audient, an alliance for accessible hearing care sponsored by the Northwest Lions Foundation for sight and hearing, assists hearing-aid users who can't afford aids. It is designed for individuals with income above the established poverty levels.

Hear Now, sponsored by the Starkey Hearing Foundation, offers hearing aids to people of very limited means. An individual would need to have total income of $18,403 or less; a couple would need to have total income of no more than $24,675.
Some examples of expanded hearing aid coverage
1. BCBS provides hearing aids for adults up to $1,000 per ear, every three years.
2. APWU provides one exam and testing every 2 years paid at 90% of PPO allowance or 70% of allowance for non-PPO. Hearing aids every 3 years limited to $1,500 maximum.
3. Mail Handlers is increasing the amount to $500, with replacement available every 5 years.
4. GEHA provides a maximum of $500 per ear, every five years.
5. Panama Canal provides a $1,000 lifetime maximum.
6. Foreign Service provides 100% coverage, up to a maximum of $1,200 per aid per ear per person and hearing exam, once every five years.
7. Rural Carriers provides up to $1,100 per hearing aid per ear once every five years.
8. The Association is changing their hearing benefit coinsurance from 10% to 0% and will cover up to a maximum of $1,400 for one hearing aid per ear.
9. Samba is adding hearing benefits up to $500 per lifetime for hearing aids.
10. NALC is providing a lifetime maximum of $1,000 for hearing aids.
11. Health Alliance is providing a maximum of $500 for hearing aids/devices once every three years.