Thanks in advance for any help. I’m looking into new hearing aids after 4 years of first set. My office is adding on an optional 5 year Comprehensive Care Plan for $1745 that covers most everything I might need. Domes, rechargeable batteries, reprogramming and updates. It caught me by surprise. I can opt out and pay for services individually when needed. 5 years seems a stretch as technology improves. I only went in 3-4 times with the old ones for anything. Does the cost seem out of line? Oticon Intent 2 aids. Thnx. Luther -Minnesota
I expected so too. I have some insurance coverage tho, so it complicates things. I’m trying to figure out what Oticon warranty is, if it includes updates, etc., or what the office charges per visit. Also what the initial coverage period is for adjustments. 5 years seems too long.
I am not sure about Oticon with your provider, but here in the UK hearing aids have 5 years warranty if bought online or some providers.
But if bought from Boots hearing or Specsavers, it is 4 years, but they have tweaking and service aftercare included in the price, which is how thing should be.
If bought online, the service isn’t given, but they will honour the warranty.
I still think it’s way over the top price, as you know “you only” needed to use them 3 or 4 times, you wanna pay that much for “service” so they can change your and fit new domes, maybe something like a receiver change and wipe them down with a clean tissue, programming is something else tho, cheaper to just buy the Noahlink wireless programming device, updates? firmware you probably mean, that can be done through the App right? These “care, service” packages they offer just don’t seem to be worth it.
I would opt out or find a new audiologist. Where are you located and how much are you paying for the aids? If you only use the audiologist for only a few times, you lose. If you decide you want to go to a different audiologist, you lose.
Depending on where you are, hourly cost of doing business (clinician and support staff wages, building/infastructure/rent, equipment/calibration, etc.) for might run, eh, ~$175 to $320 per hour (some clinician who knows better than I, please correct this)? In five years, how many hours do you expect to see them (remember to tack on 5-15 minutes for clinician paperwork time depending on complexity)? Add on some lower but not non-existant costs for basic front desk services (cleaning, shipping and handling, phone calls, etc.).
It is likely that the clinic has caluclated their service package to cover “the average” patient, in terms of clinical time, with some hope that the patients who come in more often and less often will even each other out. HPCs are not generally out there making money hand over fist, so that service package does not likely represent huge profits for them.
So the questions are: Are you average? Do you attend your annual or semi-annual check-ups to ensure your devices are always functioning optimally, or do you just let that go until something is noticeably wrong? Are you the sort of person who likes the peace of mind to have things covered? Or are you okay with a bit of educated gambling?
Agree. I had a nice conversation with my audiologist, while I consider whether to buy the plan or pay as I go for office visits. The Dr.'s have to make their living or we won’t have them. No issues there. 'Just need to find what’s right for my situation. She said Oticon warranty is 3 years here in MN (USA), although it seems a little vague that it depends on whether the offices purchase extra warranty from Oticon and then pass it on to the patient.
The extra warranty does need to be purchased prior to it running out, and sometimes a better price can be negotiated by the clinic for this type of situation than can be extended to the patient independently later. So it may be the case that yes the clinic added it, but also they cannot just take it off and extend it at the same price later. I’ve even heard of clinics roll the dice sometimes. Like, the manufacturer warranty doesn’t even exist but the clinic expects X number of out of warranty repairs during that time and decides to cover it themselves and so can spread the cost about and make the purchase package more attractive and it ends up being a bit of an internally managed group insurance. If a clinic is larger, these sorts of things may be completely invisible to the individual clinician which can make things a bit vague.
Whaaat? Sounds like a ripoff to me. I get a year of supplemental services free, and after first year I get charged $45/visit, and all materials are included. I don’t pay more than $90-$120 per year for additional visits.
That optional package is no bargain and should be refused. In fact you might look for another practice because this kind of outlandishly overpriced and unnecessary “care plan” does not foster trust. From the way you describe it, it sounds like they tried some pretty heavy persuasion on you. Don’t fall for it.
BTW I’m on my 5th pair of hearing aids (20+ years wearing). Over that time I have worked with several different practitioners in various settings. I’ve never encountered anything like this “care plan” you’ve described.
Wales, UK
New Jersey