Free Hearing Test and Re-Branded Aids
Written by Dr. Karon Lynn on November 5, 2014 ·
Consumers are often confused about why some offices offer free hearing tests and why some do not. The variable is whether or not the provider of the service is contracted with Medicare. Hearing aid dispensers are not able to bill insurance for the screenings they do; therefore, they can offer free screening tests.
Medicare Sets the Rules
Medicare will pay for audiological evaluations when referred by a physician for a change in hearing because of a medical issue. It is considered insurance fraud to bill Medicare for one patient and then provide free evaluations for the next patient. People who have insurance through different companies are subject to the specific policy guidelines to determine if hearing evaluations are covered.
Other Insurance Companies
The standard is that most insurance companies will cover one hearing evaluation per year. However, there are insurance companies that specifically state there is no coverage for hearing-related services. It is best to call the telephone number on the back of the insurance card and ask about specific coverage prior to any appointment to determine what your out of pocket expenses might be.
What Information Do You Want About Your Hearing Health?
Audiologists will complete an evaluation and make recommendations to see a physician if there is a medical component to the hearing loss. You will be asked questions about your balance and if you experience dizziness. The combination of hearing loss with dizziness or balance problems can indicate a medical issue that needs a referral. If there is a hearing loss and it does not have a medical cause then the audiologist will make recommendations for treatment that are appropriate for the individual’s hearing loss, lifestyle, budget constraints and cosmetic concerns. You will get a copy of the evaluation and a copy of the evaluation is sent to the referring physician.
When you go to a reputable audiologist, the goal is the diagnosis, not to simply sell hearing aids. During the visit options are discussed and hearing aids may not be part of the recommendation.
Re-Branded and Private Label Hearing Aids
There are “private labels” in the hearing aid market. The private labels make it difficult for a person to do an apple-to-apples comparison of features and pricing of hearing aids. Some of the private and/or franchise labels are: Audigy’s AGX, Miracle Ear, Beltone, Audibel and WOW.
These are all reputable hearing aid brands but what the consumer may not realize is that these names are proprietary private labels and can only be purchased, programmed and repaired by the offices that sell them. They are re-branded aids from other manufacturers. The problem is you become tied to that office or franchise for the life of the hearing aid. The programming or adjustments to the sound can only occur with the private label’s proprietary software. This means you lose the flexibility to use another office if you move from the area, if the office closes down or if you are not satisfied with the service at that office.
The consumer does not know who the original manufacturer is or who the parent company is. For example, GN ReSound owns Beltone. Miracle-Ear is a re-branded Siemens hearing aid. The AGX aids offered at Audigy offices are manufactured by Oticon and Starkey.
Another point to consider is that the original parent companies do not give their newest technology to the re-branded label immediately. When GN ReSound or Siemens develops a new model, Miracle Ear and Beltone won’t be able to sell that technology until sometime down the road.
The Service Contract
It is important to understand the service contract for the product you are purchasing. You want to know who is able to provide the services for you. How much will it cost to have it repaired after the warranty expires? Is there loss coverage and how much is a loss replacement?
A hearing aid directly from the parent company offers more flexibility for who is able to help you care and manage your hearing aids. If you are on vacation and you need help with your hearing aid, it is important to understand where to go and how much to expect to pay for a visit.
Trinity Hearing Center is located at 1330 N. Rim Dr., Suite B in Flagstaff. For more information call 928-522-0500, or visit the website at www.TrinityHearing.net.
By Dr. Karon Lynn, Au.D.
Written by Dr. Karon Lynn on November 5, 2014 ·
Consumers are often confused about why some offices offer free hearing tests and why some do not. The variable is whether or not the provider of the service is contracted with Medicare. Hearing aid dispensers are not able to bill insurance for the screenings they do; therefore, they can offer free screening tests.
Medicare Sets the Rules
Medicare will pay for audiological evaluations when referred by a physician for a change in hearing because of a medical issue. It is considered insurance fraud to bill Medicare for one patient and then provide free evaluations for the next patient. People who have insurance through different companies are subject to the specific policy guidelines to determine if hearing evaluations are covered.
Other Insurance Companies
The standard is that most insurance companies will cover one hearing evaluation per year. However, there are insurance companies that specifically state there is no coverage for hearing-related services. It is best to call the telephone number on the back of the insurance card and ask about specific coverage prior to any appointment to determine what your out of pocket expenses might be.
What Information Do You Want About Your Hearing Health?
Audiologists will complete an evaluation and make recommendations to see a physician if there is a medical component to the hearing loss. You will be asked questions about your balance and if you experience dizziness. The combination of hearing loss with dizziness or balance problems can indicate a medical issue that needs a referral. If there is a hearing loss and it does not have a medical cause then the audiologist will make recommendations for treatment that are appropriate for the individual’s hearing loss, lifestyle, budget constraints and cosmetic concerns. You will get a copy of the evaluation and a copy of the evaluation is sent to the referring physician.
When you go to a reputable audiologist, the goal is the diagnosis, not to simply sell hearing aids. During the visit options are discussed and hearing aids may not be part of the recommendation.
Re-Branded and Private Label Hearing Aids
There are “private labels” in the hearing aid market. The private labels make it difficult for a person to do an apple-to-apples comparison of features and pricing of hearing aids. Some of the private and/or franchise labels are: Audigy’s AGX, Miracle Ear, Beltone, Audibel and WOW.
These are all reputable hearing aid brands but what the consumer may not realize is that these names are proprietary private labels and can only be purchased, programmed and repaired by the offices that sell them. They are re-branded aids from other manufacturers. The problem is you become tied to that office or franchise for the life of the hearing aid. The programming or adjustments to the sound can only occur with the private label’s proprietary software. This means you lose the flexibility to use another office if you move from the area, if the office closes down or if you are not satisfied with the service at that office.
The consumer does not know who the original manufacturer is or who the parent company is. For example, GN ReSound owns Beltone. Miracle-Ear is a re-branded Siemens hearing aid. The AGX aids offered at Audigy offices are manufactured by Oticon and Starkey.
Another point to consider is that the original parent companies do not give their newest technology to the re-branded label immediately. When GN ReSound or Siemens develops a new model, Miracle Ear and Beltone won’t be able to sell that technology until sometime down the road.
The Service Contract
It is important to understand the service contract for the product you are purchasing. You want to know who is able to provide the services for you. How much will it cost to have it repaired after the warranty expires? Is there loss coverage and how much is a loss replacement?
A hearing aid directly from the parent company offers more flexibility for who is able to help you care and manage your hearing aids. If you are on vacation and you need help with your hearing aid, it is important to understand where to go and how much to expect to pay for a visit.
Trinity Hearing Center is located at 1330 N. Rim Dr., Suite B in Flagstaff. For more information call 928-522-0500, or visit the website at www.TrinityHearing.net.
By Dr. Karon Lynn, Au.D.