What supplemental insurance plans are available for audiology services

@awilst - I saw your new discussion and with Medicare plan changes on my mind I thought you might find the information on the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) website helpful until @julieo4 and others can share their experience.

Private Health Plans Coverage of Services: Audiology: https://www.asha.org/practice/reimbursement/private-plans/privateplanscoverageaud/

I would like very much to know the answer to this myself. Hearing loss has been disregarded since Medicare began. Believe it or not, hearing aids were defined as 'cosmetic' at one point. If anyone reading this has had their hearing aids covered by personal/workplace insurance, I hope they will comment. Most workplace plans are negotiated and hearing loss gets left out. I have used hearing aids since the mid 70s, and have gone through several pair. Not once, have I had them covered by my spouse's insurance, my work insurance or by Medicare.

The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) is working hard on this issue. They have asked people to contact their legislators year after year after year to let them know this is an issue. Medicare is currently considering how to include hearing aids. It remains to be seen if it happens. ON the other side of this, legislation to allow some hearing aids to be sold over the counter is in progress. That will eliminate the extreme high prices, but those 'OTC' hearing aids will not be fit professionally, nor are they likely to be of help to people who have severe hearing loss.

Very few people know that a set of good quality hearing aids fit by a clinical audiologist costs between $4000 and $6000 until they need them. Then it's a huge shock. It is also the reason why so many people who need hearing aids don't have them. This creates a supply and demand issue that keeps the cost high. The cost would definitely go down if everyone who needed them bought them.

I strongly recommend that if this is of concern to you, that you become a member of HLAA, and participate in their advocacy. http://www.hearingloss.com