3 Ways To Save Money On Hearing Aids
About 30 million adults in the U.S. could benefit from using hearing aids. With a hearing aid, a person with hearing loss can listen and communicate better. And yet, only about 20% of people who would benefit from a hearing aid actually use one. For seniors, the numbers are even higher: nearly 25% of seniors aged 65 – 74 have disabling hearing loss (and over 50% of those aged 75+). Yet only 30% of this group has ever used hearing aids.
However, earing aids typically cost from $1,500 to $3,500 each. Original Medicare doesn’t cover them. And only some insurance companies in some states cover them. However, there are different ways that seniors can find affordable hearing aids and save some cash.
Exploring employee benefits and your health insurance
For employees and veterans that need a hearing aid, the first thing to do is to check with the employee benefits to see if they offer coverage. Check with the health insurance provider to ascertain whether they have coverage for hearing aid. For Medicare beneficiaries, they should be aware that Medicare Advantage offers hearing aid coverage. You will, however, need to check with the plan administrator first. New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Arkansas require private insurers to cover part of the cost of hearing aids.
Consult hearing loss foundation or non-profit
You can seek help from a hearing loss non-profit organization or foundation to help you cover the cost of hearing aids. There are organizations such as the Lions Club International, Hearing Loss Association of America and the Starkey Hearing Foundation that offer financial aid to people to buy hearing aids. You have to fall under the income threshold of the organization to qualify for assistance.
Contacting hearing aid manufacturers
Aid manufacturers can offer assistance to your hearing problem if you don’t receive help from the insurers or the employer. The hearing loss organizations can help you find manufacturers having trial programs for their devices before they get to the market. The companies need test subjects to test them for free and thus if the manufacturer accepts; you will receive new hearing aids, and all you do is commit some time to the program.