Hearing Aids and Insurance Coverage

By Michelle Mitchell

Insurance can be a difficult subject to understand. However, at Swift Audiology, we can help guide you through your hearing benefits. We have participating providers with most major insurances, to include: UPMC, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, United HealthCare, and Humana. Further, we participate with most policies those companies offer. When you schedule an appointment with us, please be prepared to provide your insurance information and we will get started on verifying your benefits right away!

People are often surprised to find they do, in fact, have a benefit that will help cover the cost of the hearing aids. Our verification process will determine the nature of your benefit, whether it be an allowance or subject to your deductible. These plans allow you more choice to go through a participating provider and enjoy the extended service for the instruments, their care and maintenance, as well as appointments for adjustments. 

Some plans administer their benefit through Managed Care Plans. In this case, registration is required and is the only avenue through which a person can access their hearing benefit. While there are benefits to this option, the most obvious downside is the fact that service is only extended through a limited number of visits and does not exceed past the first year. Beyond that first year, expenses for service are paid out of your pocket and usually not covered by insurance. Fortunately, at Swift Audiology, we have providers who do participate with the most common Managed Care Plans. If this is your option, simply state that you would like to be seen at Swift Audiology and you can be scheduled at any of our locations.

The ability to hear impacts many aspects of our overall health. Insurance companies are recognizing the need to include benefits for hearing aids to address this important aspect of our health. Increasing numbers of policies are including insurance coverage-especially in the Medicare Advantage plans. It is ALWAYS worth looking into.

When you come to your first appointment, your hearing health professional will have the results from the insurance verification we conducted. She will be able to explain your benefit to you in a concise manner. Should you have further questions or require more clarification, we have a dedicated Insurance Administrator available to you. After you are fit with the hearing aids, we will file an insurance claim on your behalf and will follow up as is necessary.

Navigating the insurance landscape can be confusing and frustrating. What it means and how it fits together regarding your hearing health is made easier and understandable at Swift Audiology. We are here to help you understand your benefit and file claims on your behalf to get the most out of your policy. 

Michelle Mitchell is Insurance Specialist at Swift Audiology. The practice provides hearing loss services, hearing protection, and medical hearing aid devices to patients at 4 convenient offices throughout the Pittsburgh region. For more information, visit swiftaudiology.com or call 412-274-7285.