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Insurance for Hearing Aids

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Edited

Hi! First timer - post and hearing aid newbie. Reading the forum has been so helpful as I educate myself.

I’ve been trialing a pair of Jabra 700s for a month and I like them enough after a bad experience with Widex Allure, however I’m interested in Oticon Intents 1 (which I think will be better in noise).

My insurance covers $2000 per calendar year. With the new year fast approaching wondering if I could use my benefit this year to purchase the Jabra’s (which would cover the entire amount $1695) and then in January look into the Oticons. Or does the insurance look back to see that a reasonable time has passed when was last time I purchased hearing aids? I also don’t want to miss the claim submission window for this year if the Intents don’t work out.

Thanks!

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Edited

You have insurance coverage for aids purchased at Costco? You sure? Usually that doesn’t work (in the US, anyway) as I don’t think either Costco or insurance companies want to get involved with each other. Even if your insurance company is willing to cover Costco aids, I’m not sure Costco will fill out or sign any claims forms for you. But don’t take my word for it; I could be totally wrong. That’s just what I remember.

Anyway as to your question, if you can get coverage for aids from Costco, you’d have to read the fine print of your policy benefits to see whether you can get covered for up to $2000 in any one calendar year (in which case one pair now and one pair in January may work) or if your coverage is for $2000 in any 365-day period (in which case it would be one pair in November 2025 and another not before November 2026). Brochures summarizing coverage, agent representations over the phone, or what someone else on a different policy or locale got covered for don’t count; what counts is what your very detailed policy benefits document spells out. It will probably be very clear once you find the relevant passage. You should be able to download your policy coverage document online or have it emailed to you. Also keep in mind that sometimes what’s covered in two consecutive years (including hearing benefits) can change.

Good luck!

Thank you! You bring up a lot of points and I didn’t realize that about Costco (although I purchased the hearing aids directly from Jabra online and I may have the same problem).

The plan document was terrible and the person I spoke to on the phone at the insurance company wasn’t much better on information. All it says is up to $2000 per calendar year after deductible. I’m well past my deductible for this year so not an issue for this year at least.

So many variables to consider and unfortunately starting hearing aids has not been a pleasant experience (steep learning curve, bad experiences, disappointing results).

oooh, sorry to hear that. Now I see why you may want to try a different pair early next year, assuming you have coverage, and if it really says “calendar year,” that should be possible. Should!

Many times in the US (it varies, of course), people who do have health insurance coverage for hearing aids have to go to (or get a better benefit going to) in-network to certain providers (like chains, or Internet dealers) who have a deal with the insurance company.

I didn’t realize it was possible to deal with Jabra directly. I assumed, obviously, that you got your Jabras at Costco, especially since you were charged in the ballpark of what Costco charges for Jabra Pro 30s.

Edited

Costco will help fill out insurance forms, at least my local one will.

The main issue is what does your insurance cover?

My insurance until July when I retired covered $2000 for hearing aids every three years. However the hearing aids had to be fitted based on a prescription from a qualified audiologist.

Neither Costco or any of the hearing aids (Eargo, OTC Jabras like yours) would qualify under my insurance.

So my options were:

  • Local audiologist with hearing aids in the $6000-8000 price range. After insurance $4000-6000.
  • Costco top of the line hearing aids (equivalent technology to the audiologist) cost $1600-1700
  • OTC hearing aids (Eargo, Jabra, etc) $1000-2500

Costco does a comprehensive hearing test and then fits the hearings aids with etc (similar to an audiologist). Costco also gives you 6 months to return them if not happy. The OTC aids will be programmed to an online hearing test (or to another hearing test you give them). Support is all online so no REM

I (and my wife) ended up going with Jabra Enhance Pro 30’s (reportedly the same hardware as the top of the line Resound Vivias) at $1700 from Costco. Even with no insurance they are still much cheaper than the audiologist.

Good luck. Find out what your insurance actually covers. With or without insurance Costco is a great option. If your insurance will cover Costco (some do) then you may even be able to get your hearing aids at no net cost to you.

In reply to @hamjor1

That’s a great point - these technically might be considered over the counter hearing aids and therefore may not be covered. I need to call them back and see if I can get more info. An audiologist did the , but one wasn’t required to purchase these. Thank you!

In reply to @coastal_california

Thank you! I appreciate such a thoughtful answer. I’m very fortunate to have a Costco within 10 mins of me and knowing about the insurance angle is helpful. I understand that the Jabra Enhance Select 700s are pretty similar if not identical to the Jabra Enhance Pro 30s. I feel they do a great job overall but not sure yet that they are “the ones.”

Costco seems a better deal because one gets in-store parts and service and refitting for as long as Costco can service them plus the extended return period.

The 700’s are far from identical to the Pro 30. The 700’s are considered “consumer grade” devices with much lower technology and only for mild to moderate loss due to the limited gains allowed for otc sales. The Pro 30’s are “prescription grade” devices and top technology with duel processors with , and for loss from mild to profound. For the same price, it would seem wise to go with the 30’s to take advantage of the top tech along with all of the services Costco offers with their aids.

Interesting! I don’t know all the differences between the two, however I use the Jabra Enhance Pro companion app with my Jabra Enhanced Select hearing aids which gives them a lot more functionality on my end. The best “pro" for me is remote adjustments because I don’t have the time to be running back and forth for appointments. I’ve been learning about from “the guys” on YouTube and they haven’t covered the 700s yet that I know off but I will say they are 110% better than the Widex Allure 440s I trialed.

If you’re time limited and like adjustments, you might enjoy in the future if you switch to non- aids. Grab a cheap Noahlink Wireless (or Airlink 2) when one is available. Allure cannot be used for DIY as the software is cloud-based. All current Costco aids can be DIY.

I’d love to be able to do that one day, but right now this all feels like rocket science. I have an independent spirit so this would be right up my alley). Thanks for listing the devices and I would need. We learn best from each other!

@Cerumen said:

My insurance covers $2000 per calendar year. With the new year fast approaching wondering if I could use my benefit this year to purchase the Jabra’s (which would cover the entire amount $1695) and then in January look into the Oticons. Or does the insurance look back to see that a reasonable time has passed when was last time I purchased hearing aids?

Hi Cerumen,
It would be wise to ask the insurance company about any “look back” period.

As an example, my coverage will pay 100% for “advanced” hearing aids & a year of visits & 2 years of supplies & 3 years of damage/loss coverage- but only once every 24 months. To purchase before 24 months, I’d switch insurance companies.
Paul

You bring up a good point about the follow up visits. My insurance may cover them anyway and I wouldn’t need to buy an additional plan from the audiologist. I’ll look into that. Thanks!

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