New Hearing Benefits Available
Applies to: Mid-size market
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey now offers employer groups with 100 or more employees a hearing benefit program through EPIC Hearing Healthcare.
Hearing loss doesnt just affect the elderly. The issue impacts adults of all ages, many of whom are in the workforce. In fact, one in six U.S. adults age 18 and older report some hearing trouble, and 28.8 million adults under age 70 could benefit from a hearing aid. Hearing loss isnt just an inconvenience its linked to depression, cognitive problems and even cardiac conditions.
For employers, an employees health problems can drive up medical costs as well as absenteeism rates and loss of productivity.
Thats why were working with EPIC Hearing Healthcare to offer employers a program that delivers value, choice and a positive employee experience.
Hearing benefits include:
- A 100 percent covered annual routine hearing exam at any of the 5,000 in-network credentialed hearing centers across the country, or an allowance of up to $70 at any out-of-network hearing center.
- A $500 allowance per ear toward hearing aids every five years, with the choice of hundreds of name-brand and private-label hearing aids at significant savings.
- Professional, nationwide support no matter which hearing aid a member chooses. All devices come with extra batteries, a three-year extended warranty and a money-back trial period.
Blue Cross Blue Shields Truhearing Partnership
As you can see, coverage options can vary greatly between plans and levels. With 6,400 provider locations throughout the US, TruHearing is the most frequent hearing aid coverage option that BCBSA partners with. Generally there are two options: TruHearing Select and TruHearing Choice. With the Select plan members pay a low copay for hearing aids. With the Choice plan members take advantage of fixed nationwide pricing on a variety of hearing aid options.
Its important to keep in mind that BCBSA plans that participate with TruHearing only offer coverage on products available through TruHearing. Other hearing products and hearing aid brands are not an option.
If youre a Blue Cross Blue Shield member its important to make sure you have all the facts, as explanations of benefits can sometimes be confusing and not all information is available online. When in doubt, contact by phone your insurance provider and ask specifically for information regarding hearing tests, hearing aid coverage and follow-up visits.
And finally, if youre a Medicare recipient, remember that youll need supplemental insurance that covers hearing aids as Medicare does not cover the cost.
Hopefully weve answered your question as to whether does blue cross blue shield cover hearing aids! For more information on hearing aid prices, financial support, and other information, check out other articles on our blog and get informed today!
The Insurance Experts At Holland Hearing Center Can Help
Hearing aids provide a unique opportunity to continue living the independent and rewarding lifestyle you choose without skipping a beat.
Because we want our patients to experience the great benefits hearing aids provide, Holland Hearing Center goes the extra mile to help you get the financial help you need for your hearing aid investment.
Our insurance experts know exactly how to navigate and communicate with insurance companies, such as BlueCross BlueShield, to determine the level of benefits included in your coverage.
Submit our insurance coverage form to put them to work for you, or call us at to find out more.
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Does Bluecross Blueshield Federal Employee Program Cover Hearing Aids
Have you been confused trying to figure out if your BlueCross BlueShield Federal Employee Program insurance plan covers you for hearing aids?
If so, then youre in the right place.
In this article, well talk you through what your BlueCross BlueShield Federal Employee Program insurance plan includes when it comes to hearing healthcare and what your options are going forward.
About Blue Cross Blue Shield Association
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is a national federation of 35 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies that collectively provide health care coverage for one in three Americans. BCBSA provides health care insights through The Health of America Report series and the national BCBS Health Indexsm. For more information on BCBSA and its member companies, please visit BCBS.com. We also encourage you to connect with us on , check out our videos on and follow us on .
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is an association of 35 independent, locally operated Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield companies.
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Blue Elite Or Legacy Medigap
Seniors who have the Medicare Supplement plan Blue Elite or have Legacy Medigap plans that dont already include dental, vision and hearing care can add this coverage. The Dental Vision Hearing Package covers one hearing aid per ear every 12 months through the TruHearing network with graduated coinsurance payments.
You Cant Rely On Your Medicare Plan
As many as one in three individuals between the ages of 65 and 74 have some degree of hearing loss, which increases to one in two for those over the age of 75, according to the National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders .
That means that the majority of people with a hearing loss are Medicare eligible, but Medicare programs do not cover hearing aids or hearing care.
Fortunately, many insurance companies provide Medicare supplement plans to help cover costs that Medicare does not.
BlueCross BlueShield provides four options with varying levels of provided coverage for hearing aids and hearing care, depending on the variations you choose.
Blue Elite
Blue Elite has fewer limitations than you will find in PPO and HMO plans, allowing you to see any doctor or specialist, including your audiologist, without a referral.
Although Blue Elite fills in many of Medicares coverage gaps, you must know that hearing aids and hearing care are not part of standard coverage.
Benefits may only be available if you have chosen to add certain options or riders to your plan.
BlueEssential or BlueCare Plus
The best part of these two plans is that they both provide you with the freedom to choose a broader range of doctors and specialists.
However, choosing a provider who is not on their list of approved HMO providers may limit or restrict the benefits you receive.
BlueAdvantage
In contrast to the other two options, BlueAdvantage is a preferred provider organization plan.
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New Truhearing Benefit For Medicare Supplement Members
We know hearing aids can be expensive. Fortunately, BlueCross Medicare Supplement members can enjoy more affordable and personalized hearing care with the TruHearing program. This benefit covers the TruHearing brand of hearing aids that come in Advanced and Premium models.
With your Medicare Supplement plan, you get access to:
- $0 hearing exams, a benefit that is not already covered by original Medicare
- In-network routine hearing exams, at no cost to you
- State-of-the-art hearing aids, with copays as low as $699 or $999 per aid
- Up to 48 free batteries per aid on non-rechargeable models
- And much more!
View our to see the full product list and savings.
There are 4,800 TruHearing locations across the country. That includes 81 locations in South Carolina. To find one near you or schedule an appointment with a provider, call 1-844-266-3955. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST.
These value-added discount programs are in addition to, but not included in, the services and benefits covered under your health plan.
Clarity Hearing Service Solutions
I understand that the majority of individuals with a hearing loss need help to pay for hearing aids. Knowing whether and at what level BlueCross BlueShield insurance covers hearing aids and hearing care can be confusing. Our team at Clarity Hearing is eager to assist you in determining whether your coverage only includes hearing tests, premium technology, or complete hearing care.
Filling out our online form starts the process of determining which BCBS copayment, deductible, or coinsurance levels apply to you along with any available PPO network discounts and restrictions. Keep in mind that the best level of hearing care available with or without insurance coverage is the primary focus of my associates, Clarity Hearing, and me.
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Let Acadian Hearing Service Services Help You
Determining what level of coverage you have through BlueCross BlueShield insurance can be confusing, especially for those with non-Medicare plans.
Our team at Acadian Hearing Services assists in determining whether your coverage only includes hearing tests, premium technology, or complete hearing care.
The first step is to fill in our quick online insurance coverage check form to contact BCBS Insurance on your behalf and take the stress out of the process.
Contact us to learn more about the range of hearing care services and best-in-class hearing technology solutions provided by Acadian Hearing Services in the Lake Charles, LA area.
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Blueessential Or Bluecare Plus
Both of these plans include the health maintenance organization option. HMO plans allow members to choose providers from a select network of doctors, specialists, and facilities to tend to their health care needs.
For members who choose to go outside the network of approved HMO providers, coverage for services is limited or restricted.
BlueEssential plans do not specify insurance coverage benefits for hearing aids, which means that hearing care and hearing aids coverage could be part of an added option rather than basic coverage.
In contrast, BlueCare Plus plans do provide routine hearing care coverage, but you will need to clarify precise benefits.
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Are You Hearing As Well As You Should
A favorite song. A childs laughter. Birds chirping in the trees.
These every day sounds are as much a part of life as breathing. We hear them clearly, without effort, without thinking. We often take them for granted.
But for millions of Americans, hearing doesnt come so easily.
Researchers estimate that 20 percent of the U.S. population, or nearly 48 million individuals, report some degree of hearing loss in at least one ear and nearly 30 million experience hearing loss in both ears. Additionally, research shows that approximately 26 million Americans between the ages of 20 and 69 have experienced high frequency hearing loss largely due to noise exposure at work or during leisure activities.
And contrary to popular opinion, hearing loss can occur at any age.
The Better Hearing Institute estimates that 65 percent of individuals who have hearing loss are younger than 65. Further research found that for every 1,000 school children, 30 have suffered hearing loss.
Since hearing loss can negatively impact childhood development, employment, education and general well-being, it is important to be able to recognize the signs so that the hearing condition can be treated.
Some hearing loss symptoms are:
- Often asking people to repeat what they say
- Having difficulty hearing in crowded rooms, restaurants or parties.
- Failing to hear someone talking from behind you.
- Having trouble hearing in groups.
- Having to turn up the volume on the TV or the car radio.
Bluecross Blueshield Federal Employee Program
Federal Government Employees: Your FEP plan pays for your hearing aids!
The Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO Federal Employee Program typically covers hearing evaluations and essential hearing aids under the program for U.S. federal government employees and immediate family members. Final determination of benefits is made by Blue Cross Blue Shield.
- Hearing Specialists of DuPage is an in-network provider with BCBS PPO plans.
- Schedule a hearing evaluation appointment for hearing aids.
- Plan benefits are available to BCBS members in the Continental United States.
- Plan pays for essential hearing aids, can upgrade to hearing aids that support Bluetooth, Speech language translation, fall detection, health tracking and other popular features.
- 3 Year No-Fault Repair Warranty and Insurance Against Loss or Damage.
- 30 Day Trial period.
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Does Medicare Cover The Cost Of Hearing Aids
Around a third of individuals in the US between ages 65 and 74 have some level of hearing loss. Whats more, half of those over the age of 75 have a hearing loss, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders .
These age ranges indicate that most people who could benefit from hearing aids are also eligible for Medicare coverage.
The bad news is that Medicare does not cover hearing aids or hearing care, leaving many dependent on the program without the means to invest in hearing aids.
Fortunately, many insurance companies provide Medicare supplement plans to help cover costs that Medicare does not.
BlueCross BlueShield Federal Employee Program is one of these companies.
Bluecross Adds Hearing Benefits For Seniors In 2017
CHATTANOOGA BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee intends to help the large number of seniors who suffer from hearing loss by offering high-quality, affordable hearing benefits in its 2017 Medicare Advantage plans known as BlueAdvantage.
In a partnership with TruHearing, a national hearing aid provider, BlueAdvantage members will be eligible for an annual hearing exam, plus two hearing aids per calendar year beginning Jan. 1, 2017.
We are very excited to offer these hearing services for our members, said Todd Ray, vice president and general manager of senior products for BlueCross. One out of every three seniors suffers from some sort of hearing loss, and hearing products can be very costly. We are happy to ease this burden for our members.
Hearing aids can cost as much as $3,000 but with this new benefit offering, members will pay only a small percentage of that cost.
With a BlueAdvantage plan, members can now receive three follow-up visits with a provider for fitting and adjustments, a 45-day trial with their hearing aid, a three-year manufacturer warranty for repairs, and one-time loss and damage replacement, plus 48 batteries per hearing aid.
We aim to help our members live healthy, active lives, Ray said. The new line of hearing benefits complements our other products to enable members to achieve this goal.
About TruHearing
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What Does Bluecross Blueshield Fep Offer In Terms Of Hearing Care Coverage
BlueCross BlueShield Federal Employee Program provides two options with varying levels of provided coverage for hearing aids and hearing care, depending on the variations you choose.
Basic Option
You must see someone from their Preferred Providers list , and the copayment is higher if you see a Preferred specialist.
Hearing Tests
- Routine hearing tests and hearing aids are not.
- Hearing tests related to illness or injury are covered.
- Testing and examinations for prescribing hearing aids are covered.
Hearing Aids
- Hearing aids for adults age 22 and over are covered but limited to $2,500 every 5 calendar years.
- Bone-anchored hearing aids when medically necessary, limited to $5,000 per calendar year.
- Hearing aids for children up to age 22, limited to $2,500 per calendar year.
- Benefits for hearing aid dispensing fees, fittings, batteries, and repair services are included in the benefit limits.
- Over-the-counter hearing aids, enhancement devices, accessories, or supplies are not.
Basic Option out-of-pocket costs are mostly copays.
Standard Option
Standard Option has fewer limitations, allowing you to see any doctor or specialist in or outside the network, including your audiologist. The copay is higher to see a specialist or to see someone outside the network.
The hearing test and hearing aid coverage are the same as it is for the Basic Option.
Standard Option has out-of-pocket costs that include a deductible, copays, and coinsurance.
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Products and services are provided by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, Horizon Insurance Company, Horizon Healthcare of New Jersey, Braven Health, and/or Horizon Healthcare Dental, Inc., each an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Communications may be issued by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey in its capacity as administrator of programs and provider relations for all its companies. The Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® name and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. The Horizon® name and symbols are registered marks of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. The Braven Health name and symbols are service marks of Braven Health.
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Medicare And Medicaid Coverage Of Hearing Aids
Medicare does not usually cover hearing aids. You may have some options depending on the type of hearing loss and if you have a Medicare Advantage Plan. Read more about Medicare and hearing aids.
Medicaid coverage for adult hearing aids varies by state and eligibility is subject to change. This page from the Hearing Loss Association of America lets you look up Medicaid coverage for hearing care by state. You can also contact your states Medicaid program or visit Medicaid’s national website for more information. In every U.S. state, children’s hearing aids are covered by Medicaid.
Still Unsure The Insurance Experts At Inland Hearing Can Help
Hearing aids provide a unique opportunity to continue living an independent and rewarding lifestyle without skipping a beat.
We want our patients to experience the incredible benefits hearing aids provide, so Inland Hearing goes the extra mile to help you get the financial help you need for your hearing aid investment.
Our insurance experts know exactly how to navigate and communicate with insurance companies, such as BlueCross BlueShield Federal Employee Program, to determine the level of benefits included in your coverage.
Submit our insurance coverage form to learn more about your benefits, or call us at your local office by
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