Hearing loss is a condition that affects over 40 million people in America today. Two-thirds of those with hearing impairments who would benefit greatly from the right treatment avoid getting it because they don’t know how much help an audiologist can provide, or they don’t believe it’s a big enough issue to seek help for. We think their loved ones would disagree.
Another reason that holds a lot of people back from seeking help is the imagined cost because they’ve been told that most insurance companies won’t cover the cost of hearing treatment. This is not necessarily true.
Because Clarity Hearing knows how frustrating it can be to work with an insurance company, we have an insurance specialist on the team to find out exactly what you are, and are not, covered for regarding hearing healthcare.
Below is a list of what United Healthcare covers in relation to the cost of hearing evaluations, hearing aids, and ongoing hearing care. The particulars will depend on your individual policy.
United Healthcare and Medicare Advantage (Part C) Plans
Many of our patients now qualify for Medicare, but the basic Medicare plan does not cover any hearing costs. However, you are covered if you have certain riders – supplemental insurance – with your basic United Healthcare plan.
All United Healthcare’s Medicare Advantage plans in Texas allow for:
- a covered yearly hearing evaluation.
- $375 to $1,425 copay toward each hearing aid (up to two per year) if it’s provided by United Healthcare Hearing. The copay amount is based on the hearing aids’ style and features. Prior authorization is required.
By partnering with the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), United Healthcare’s Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans cover portions of copay, out-of-pocket, hearing exams, and hearing aid costs.
AARP Medicare Advantage Plan 1 (HMO-POS) – No copay is necessary to see a primary care provider, and there is a $35 copay charge to see a specialist.
AARP Medicare Advantage Choice (PPO) – No copay is necessary to see a primary care provider, and copay is $40 to see a specialist.
There is a $10 monthly premium to pay and no referral is required. Out-of-network coverage is available, and the in-network out-of-pocket maximum is $6,700.
AARP Medicare Advantage Patriot (HMO-PPO) – No copay is necessary to see a primary care provider and $35 to see a specialist.
There is no monthly premium to pay and no referral is required. Out-of-network coverage is available, and the in-network out-of-pocket maximum is $5,500.
AARP Medicare Advantage Plan 2 (HMO) – Copay is $5 to see a primary care provider and $45 to see a specialist.
There is no monthly premium to pay and no referral is required. Out-of-network coverage is available, and the in-network out-of-pocket maximum is $5.900.
United Healthcare offers one Part C plan that is not in partnership with AARP.
United Healthcare Medicare Advantage Choice (Regional PPO) – A $10 copay is necessary to see a primary care provider and $50 to see a specialist.
There is a $49 monthly premium to pay and no referral is required. Out-of-network coverage is available, and the combined in- and out-of-network out-of-pocket maximum is $7,500.
United Healthcare Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans
AARP® Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans are offered by United Healthcare to cover some of the costs Original Medicare don’t pay for.
The following plan names must include the words “+wellness extras offer” to qualify:
UHC Medigap Plans A–C, F, G, K, L, N have a hearing discount of the AARP member rate plus an additional $100 discount on hearing devices in the top five tiers of technology and features, ranging from standard to premium.
Clarity Hearing Has an Insurance Specialist Ready to Help
Clarity Hearing helps patients in the greater Houston area examine all the possible ways to reduce the cost of their hearing care investment through their insurance provider, and we spend the time doing the research so you don’t have to.
The sooner you treat your hearing loss, the better the long-term benefits – and nothing can compare to being able to chat easily with loved ones again.
Let us do the legwork for you. It’s simple – fill out this online insurance form or call us, and we’ll find out everything you need to know.
We look forward to helping you.