According to the World Health Organization, around 466 million people worldwide have disabling hearing loss, and 34 million are children.
It is estimated that only around 20% of people who could benefit from hearing aids use them.
Why Do People Avoid Treatment for Hearing Loss?
There are several reasons why people may avoid treatment for hearing loss, including:
- Lack of awareness: Some people may not be aware that they have a hearing loss or may not understand the impact it can have on their daily lives.
- Cost: Hearing aids and other treatments can be expensive, which can make it difficult for some people to afford.
- Stigma: Some people may feel embarrassed or ashamed about their hearing loss and may be reluctant to seek help.
At SLENT Hearing & Balance Center, we’re passionate about helping local people achieve better hearing, so we want to help remove as many barriers to treating hearing loss as possible.
Insurance can be a great gateway into professional hearing healthcare. Still, amid the jargon and misleading benefits, it can be challenging to determine what your insurance plan covers.
Why Is Hearing Care Insurance Confusing?
Hearing care insurance can be confusing for several reasons, including:
Limited coverage
Many insurance plans do not cover hearing aids or other hearing-related treatments or have limited coverage.
Out-of-network providers
Some insurance plans may only cover certain providers or types of hearing aids, making it difficult for patients to find the care they need.
Complex terms
The terms and conditions of some insurance plans can be difficult to understand, making it hard for patients to know what is covered and what is not.
Exclusion of pre-existing conditions
Some insurance plans may not cover hearing loss, which is a pre-existing condition or not severe enough.
Lack of standardization
There is no standardization in the hearing care insurance industry, making it difficult for patients to compare plans and understand what is covered.
If you have Aetna insurance and are wondering whether your plan covers hearing aids, we’ve outlined the essential information to help you understand your benefits.
When Does Aetna Pay For Hearing Aids?
Aetna insurance plans may cover the cost of hearing aids under certain conditions.
The specific conditions for coverage will depend on the plan and the state in which you live.
In general, Aetna insurance plans typically cover the cost of diagnostic hearing evaluations and, in some cases, hearing aids.
However, to receive coverage, you may need to meet certain criteria, such as having a certain hearing loss and/or getting a referral from a primary care physician.
Aetna insurance plans may also have limits on the frequency of hearing aid replacements and may require a co-pay or deductible to be met before the coverage kicks in.
To know for sure if Aetna insurance covers hearing aids and the specific conditions, it would be best to check your plan’s coverage details and any state-specific regulations that apply.
You can check with Aetna or your employer’s benefits administrator for more information about your plan’s coverage for hearing aids.
How Does Aetna Cover Hearing Aids?
Some Aetna insurance plans may have a separate benefit for hearing aids, while others may include hearing aid coverage as part of a larger benefits package.
It’s possible that the coverage for a hearing aid is subject to a co-pay or a deductible, which means that you will be responsible for paying a certain amount out of pocket before the insurance coverage kicks in.
I recommend checking with Aetna or your employer’s benefits administrator to get more specific information about your plan’s coverage for hearing aids and any state-specific regulations that apply.
Can My Audiologist Check My Insurance Benefits With Aetna?
Yes, your audiologist should be able to check your insurance benefits with Aetna.
Most audiologists like us at SLENT Hearing & Balance Center are familiar with the insurance coverage process and should be able to check your benefits, determine what is covered, and help you understand any out-of-pocket costs that may be associated with your hearing aid purchase.
It’s important to keep in mind that Aetna may require a referral from your primary care physician to cover the cost of hearing aids and that the coverage for hearing aids may be subject to certain conditions and limits.
Remember that your audiologist may be an out-of-network provider, so it’s a good idea to check your plan’s coverage details and out-of-network coverage.
It would be best to check with your audiologist and your insurance company to confirm that your audiologist can check your benefits and that they are familiar with the process of checking benefits with Aetna.
Have Us Check Your Benefits for You
At SLENT Hearing & Balance Center, we partner with Aetna to help our patients receive the most out of their insurance.
If you’d like a member of our team to help check your benefits with Aetna, we’d be happy to help!
