Nachrichten
MDHearing to Offer Hearing Aids through OTC Insurance Benefit Plans
Collaboration with Medline will tap health insurance coverage for over-the-counter products)
Veröffentlicht am Feb 2, 2023
:format(webp))
MDHearing, a manufacturer of affordable over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids, has teamed with Medline to take advantage of something new: supplemental health insurance coverage for purchase of OTC hearing aids. Medline, which supports healthcare systems with clinical, administrative, and product support across the U.S., will distribute MDHearing’s hearing aids purchased by patients with policies that offer reimbursements for OTC products.
Medicare does not cover the cost of hearing aids, and traditional health insurance plans have traditionally offered sparse coverage. But the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) October 2022 ruling that hearing aids can be sold directly to consumers without prescriptions now qualifies them for coverage by many insurance plans that offer supplemental OTC benefits.
“Prior to the final ruling from the FDA, health plan members have been on the hook for paying out of pocket for prescribed hearing aids,” said MDHearing CEO Doug Breaker. “In partnering with Medline, we’re making it convenient and easy for health plan members to use their benefits dollars to purchase high quality hearing aids, saving them thousands of dollars, while still getting support from licensed hearing professionals.”
According to a 2021 study by the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA), nearly 18 million consumers have access to health-plan funded and administered OTC benefits, with an average of $400 in OTC allowances per enrollee—equating to $7.1 billion in total allowances for covered OTC healthcare products. Many of these are popular Medicare Advantage plans offering supplemental insurance coverage beyond basic Medicare.
:format(webp))
However, the survey also notes that 70% of the annual OTC allowances are unused. Programs offering substantial new cost benefits to consumers like the OTC hearing-aid coverage from Medline and MDHearing are designed to increase the usage of those benefits.
The companies said Medline will distribute MDHearing’s OTC hearing aids at prices ranging from $300 to $700 per pair. MDHearing has been selling FDA-approved hearing aids directly to consumers since 2008. Its latest Volt Max hearing aid ranked Number 6 on HearingTracker’s list of Best OTC Hearing Aids for 2023. Medline said in a news release that it will offer three hearing aids from MDHearing’s current lineup of OTC hearing aids:
MDHearing offers at-home hearing screening tests by phone along with a simple online hearing test. It staffs a US-based support team of licensed hearing professionals that help customers over the phone, email, SMS and fully HIPAA compliant video and performs thousands of remote hearing aid adjustments, video consultations, and hearing tests per year.
The announcement by Medline and MDHearing is part of a broader trend. While more insurance coverage for hearing aids is not yet the “new normal,” recent announcements by major insurers and hearing aid brands that lower the costs for hearing aids may be an indicator of more coverage to come.
The arrival of lower-cost OTC hearing aids may be ushering in a new era of more insurance coverage for hearing aids. It’s also significant that in most cases, insurers and manufacturers alike focus not only on providing more affordable hearing aids but on enabling support with hearing screenings, fittings, and ongoing care.
“Medline and MDHearing share a vision of going beyond transactional relationships and providing high quality customer service that makes it easier for patients to take care of themselves,” said Katie Lavelle, director of business development for Medline’s Post-Acute Care Division. “Our goal is to help insurance providers continue to improve the member experience and reduce overall cost of care.”
David Copithorne ist ein langjähriger Blogger zum Thema Hörverlust und regelmäßiger Beiträger bei Hearing Tracker. Im Jahr 2002 erlitt er einen plötzlichen und schwerwiegenden Hörverlust. Seitdem hat er sich der Aufgabe gewidmet, die wertvollen Informationen zu teilen, die er auf seinem Weg gelernt hat.
