You’re probably here because you suspect you have a hearing problem and are concerned about whether professional hearing care and hearing aids are accessible.

That’s perfectly understandable. Of course, you want to hear conversations better and get more out of your life – but will you have sufficient support?

This is one of the key reasons why only one in five individuals diagnosed with hearing loss actually get the help they need from hearing aids: uncertainty concerning insurance coverage discourages many people from solving the problem.

So, can BlueCross BlueShield insurance help you with your hearing aids?

There’s no simple answer because several variables affect the outcome, such as your age, your plan type, and other factors.

Let’s break down each option available…

Medicare Plans

Did you know that according to the National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), “[a]pproximately one in three people in the United States between the ages of 65 and 74 has hearing loss, and nearly half of those older than 75 have difficulty hearing”?

That’s a big group, and individuals within this age range are Medicare eligible.

The bad news is that Medicare doesn’t cover hearing aids. The good news is that insurance companies including BlueCross BlueShield provide various supplements that correct that omission.

BlueEssential Or BlueCare Plus (HMO SNP)

Both BlueEssential and BlueCare Plus include a health maintenance organization (HMO) option. These plans allow members to choose providers from a selected network of doctors, specialists, and facilities.

While BlueEssential plans don’t specify insurance coverage benefits for hearing aids, we’ve found that hearing care and hearing aids are often covered as options beyond basic coverage.

Meanwhile, BlueCare Plus plans do provide routine hearing care coverage. The specific details vary by plan.

More on that in a moment, but first we need to mention …

Blue Advantage (PPO)

The Blue Advantage plan is a preferred provider organization (PPO) type insurance package.

PPOs are less restrictive than HMOs. This means you can choose any healthcare provider (including specialists) approved by the BlueCross network without requiring a referral.

PPOs also have fewer limitations if you decide to work with an out-of-network provider. Coverage provided by the Blue Advantage Medicare supplement insurance include:

• Two hearing aids per year (one per ear) when purchased through TruHearing
• Two models to choose from:
• Premium models that include 48 channels, 6 programs, and 10 styles
• Advanced models that include 32 channels, 6 programs, and 10 styles
• Three follow-up visits with an in-network provider for fitting and adjustment of hearing aids
• Forty-five-day trial period
• Three-year manufacturer warranty for repairs and one-time loss and damage replacement
• Forty-eight batteries per aid for non-rechargeable models

That offers you a lot of help if you qualify.

However, there’s one more Medicare variant to discuss …

Blue Elite (Medicare Supplement)

Blue Elite Medicare supplement plans offer potentially even more advantages because they don’t have the same restrictions as PPO- or HMO-type plans.

Blue Elite allows you to see any doctor, specialist, or service provider you choose. That means referrals aren’t a requirement for seeing a hearing specialist.

Having said that, hearing care and hearing aid coverage might be an added option with this plan, rather than part of your basic coverage.

Non-Medicare Plans

Determining whether your non-Medicare plan covers hearing aids is complicated.

And while many private insurance plans don’t cover hearing aids for a variety of reasons, this doesn’t rule out the possibility that some coverage or benefits are available to help you.

For example, non-Medicare family, individual, and group plans sometimes do allow for copayments, deductibles, and coinsurance for different health conditions.

What’s more, various types of member discounts and specialized programs are also available within and outside the BlueCross BlueShield network.

Do you know what they are?

You could find out yourself, but there’s a better option: we have experts on staff who can do the extensive research that’s sometimes needed to understand all your available hearing aid coverage options.

Let Us Help You

We totally understand that determining your BlueCross BlueShield insurance coverage level can be confusing, especially if you have a non-Medicare plan.

However, that’s why we’re here to help. We can get definitive answers as to whether or not your coverage includes hearing tests, premium technology, or complete hearing care.

It’s all part of our pledge to help you “Hear as Good as You’ll Ever Hear” with our proven methodical approach.

We’ve helped tens of thousands of patients, and that’s why we have a reputation for delivering on our promises.

So go ahead: take the next step to enjoying better hearing and a better life by filling in our quick online insurance coverage check form. We’ll contact BlueCross BlueShield on your behalf and take the stress out of the process.

Do it now and contact us today to see why our “Hear as Good as You’ll Ever Hear” guarantee is exactly the right fit for you! Our services are available in English, Spanish, and Russian too.