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Is it legal for companies or medical insurance to exclude hearing aids?

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I live in Vermont and I just now discovered my employer’s health insurance EXCLUDES hearing aids!!

Can anyone suggest where/how I can find out if this is legal in Vermont??

Hearing aids or examinations for the prescription or fitting of hearing aids. – is the line in the health insurance exclusions.

I filled out the insurance company contact form asking about their hearing aids coverage and two (2) minutes later they said hearing aids are not covered!!

I’d appreciate any responses with advice where and how I can ascertain if this is still legal for the employer and insurance to deny hearing aids coverage.

Thank you, Tom

Only five states mandate private insurances to cover hearing aids for adults & children: Arkansas, Connecticut, Illinois, New Hampshire, Rhode Island. Vermont does require coverage for children.

I’m not a lawyer: paragraph above is based on the information below.

State Hearing Health Insurance Mandates, as of June 27, 20072

Microsoft Word - States That Require Coverage of Childrenˇs Hearing Aids_rev.docx

Most Americans do not have insurance coverage for hearing aids, and many who do have it, find it only covers a portion of the cost. No point waiting until age 65: hearing aids are generally not covered in Medicare. It can be covered in paid Medicare Advantage plans, but again, it’s often just a discount from list prices and restricted to certain providers, and many have posted complaints here about the value of Medicare Advantage benefits when it comes to hearing aids. (I’m not a fan of Medicare Advantage, period. It’s so heavily advertised because it’s extremely profitable for the companies selling it, and it doesn’t generally get you access to the best providers of health care.)

If you live near Colchester VT, try the Costco there instead, if minimizing cost is important. Costco doesn’t generally work with insurance companies but often sells equivalent aids for less than you’d pay after any discount if you did have insurance coverage for them.

Oh, and military veterans with service-related hearing loss can get hearing aids through the . Start there if you’re eligible.

Thank you for all your excellent replies, keep them coming!!

I did complain to our HR Benefits department though upon hindsight I realize I will probably get in trouble for doing so.

I can do without a new for awhile but it looks like I should try to find a weekend job to accumulate $$$$ to pay for the next HA, which will be expensive no matter where I buy it.

I used to be a Costco member but it would still cost a few thousand dollars anyway.

Thank you, Tom

@tom12010 said:

I used to be a Costco member but it would still cost a few thousand dollars anyway.

Actually, Costco sells high quality hearing aids for about $1,700 a pair.

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