Petition For Hearing Aid Coverage

[terisandler]

I started a petition on the Move On website in an attempt to mandate coverage for hearing aids.  I fought the good fight with my carrier and lost.  I know many of you probably can relate to the frustration of the denial of coverage for something so necessary to every day living.  If you feel so called, please sign online and pass the link on.  Maybe we can make a difference! 

Teri

http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/mandatory-insurance-coverage.fb40?source=c.fb.ty&r_by=8993113

[luke_simmo]

Good one, Teri.

I'm amazed there aren't more signatures. Everyone on this forum should take 20 seconds to "sign" this petition -- for themselves or the many others that have hearing loss as a result of their AN.

For the record, just today I found out my insurance doesn't cover any of the BAHA devices. It appears that there is an effort to re-classify these devices as prosthetics instead of hearing aids, which for some reason would make them more likely to be covered. However, I think the name shouldn't matter -- improving one's quality of life is a medical necessity in my book.

[terisandler]

One would think so but maybe it is not a priority for many.  I admit that I have been lax about follow up due to some travel the last 2 weeks and now playing catch at home.

[arizonajack]

To whom or what are you addressing the petition?

[Paul F]

This is the link to the petition.

http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/mandatory-insurance-coverage.fb40?source=c.fb.ty&r_by=8993113

[arizonajack]

Oh, I see.

"To be delivered to:  The United States House of Representatives, The United States Senate, and President Barack Obama"

Call me a cynic but, considering the track record of those three, I wish you luck.

[leapyrtwins]

For the record, just today I found out my insurance doesn't cover any of the BAHA devices. It appears that there is an effort to re-classify these devices as prosthetics instead of hearing aids, which for some reason would make them more likely to be covered.

For years now, BAHAs - when they are covered by insurance - have been classified as prosthetics or implants; it's what makes the distinction in coverage since the majority of insurance companies don't cover hearing aids.

It's how I got my BAHA covered back in early 2008. 

Cochlear Implants (CIs) are also classified as implants or prosthetics which is why they are covered by insurance companies.  And on an interesting note - if your insurance company is paying for CI's and not BAHAs you have a good case against them for discrimination.

While I agree with you wholeheartedly that all types of hearing "devices" (including aids) should be covered by insurance I don't see the government or insurance industry embracing that; the cost would be huge and insurance companies would fight tooth & nail.   At this point in time Medicare doesn't even cover hearing aids; and most people covered by Medicare could definitely use them 

[arizonajack]

  And on an interesting note - if your insurance company is paying for CI's and not BAHAs you have a good case against them for discrimination.

I don't think that's correct. There's no law preventing an insurance company from covering one thing and not another.

[leapyrtwins]

This is correct; told to me by many, many insurance brokers.

Discrimination is against the law - in any situation.

[keithk]

By adding hearing aids to the policies will only increase the cost of an already very expensive obamacare. This is just my opinion.