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This hasn't been an issue until recently, since my 101 year old mom went totally deaf after being flown here to AZ from IL.
Took her to an audiologist who couldn't for the life of her, get an honest test done due to Mom's age.
SO, took Mom to Beltone, where all they have are seniors being tested. Its a chain of hearing aid places with trained hearing specialists. Was very pleased, until the price was revealed.
Now, couldn't someone invent some little plastic thingy with a small wire and battery that fits in your ear and doesn't cost a fortune??
With all the baby boomers aging and losing their hearing, won't someone please step up to the plate and work on this ? You could make a million...
I understand your pain. I just got two and we waited until after Jan 1 so our insurance would pick up an additional $1500.00. It still cost us a bundle. They are a total ripoff.
I do hear better and Mrs. Tek rarely hears me say, "What?" now so she's pleased.
Yeah, Medicare should step up to the plate. Of course you'll hear a ton of people (who don't need hearing aids) scream about how much it will cost. Something they never do if it's something they need to have someone else pay for.
The title of this thread is exactly what's wrong with Medicare, which is headed rapidly for insolvency. Medicare simply cannot provide everything which everybody needs. Mission creep has bankrupted our nation, and it started with President Johnson's "great society" of guns and butter. Back in that day Medicare provided hospitalization only - doctors' visits were on us. We somehow made do.
Tek_Freek has a good point about peoples' hypocrisy, so in the interest of disclosure let me say I could use a hearing aid, but have so far resisted getting one, as I'm able to function well even if I sometimes ask people to repeat. But no, I don't think Medicare should pay for it just because I will eventually have to get one. Medicare simply cannot be everything to everybody - it's not realistic.
I can understand hearing aids (if there has to be some things not coverd)
I can even sort of understand lack of coverage for vision.
Deterioration or loss of either is 'inconvenient' but not directly unhealthy.
I find it impossible to understand lack of dental since peridontal issues can cause chronic ill health and can be life theatening at worst and no/or poor dentures frequently cause serious eating problems.
We have spent over $10K on hearing aids in the last 8 years. Out of pocket.
Last month, husband needed to replace a hearing aid. He didn't need a check up; he lost a hearing aid and simply needed to replace it. He was told they would not order it for him unless he came in and let them do a quick "check up."
He was seen by the PA, not the audiologist or ENT. The PA looked in his ears, said - "looks fine" and walked out. The audiologist stepped in and looked at his chart, asked if he had experienced any hearing deficiencies since his last test (wh/ was less than a year earlier) . . . then filled out the form to order the hearing aid.
The audiologist office visit was covered by insurance, so hubby paid a $35 copay at the time of his visit.
Two weeks ago, we got a bill for $196 for the PA charges, which are NOT covered by insurance.
Husband called them yesterday and said - WTH? The PA didn't do a thing but glance in my ears, and I did not NEED any sort of check up . . . I just needed to replace a hearing aid.
THe reply? "Those are the rules, sir. You have to see the PA b/f you can see the audiologist."
This is the crap we are going thru/ as consumers which runs up the cost of healthcare.
IMHO, hearing aids, vision and dental should be covered. Seriously, how many hospitalizations and nursing home admissions could be avoided if the elderly were able to see and hear well? Broken hip, anyone? Auto accidents? Can't hear the smoke alarm? Oops.
Dental care is a "no brainer." Poor dental care, particularly among the elderly, results in systemic illness.
I'd rather Medicare pay for the above than an annual physical examination. It just seems to me that no one, in terms of cost, is looking at the big picture. Penny wise, pound foolish.
We have spent over $10K on hearing aids in the last 8 years. Out of pocket.
Last month, husband needed to replace a hearing aid. He didn't need a check up; he lost a hearing aid and simply needed to replace it. He was told they would not order it for him unless he came in and let them do a quick "check up."
He was seen by the PA, not the audiologist or ENT. The PA looked in his ears, said - "looks fine" and walked out. The audiologist stepped in and looked at his chart, asked if he had experienced any hearing deficiencies since his last test (wh/ was less than a year earlier) . . . then filled out the form to order the hearing aid.
The audiologist office visit was covered by insurance, so hubby paid a $35 copay at the time of his visit.
Two weeks ago, we got a bill for $196 for the PA charges, which are NOT covered by insurance.
Husband called them yesterday and said - WTH? The PA didn't do a thing but glance in my ears, and I did not NEED any sort of check up . . . I just needed to replace a hearing aid.
THe reply? "Those are the rules, sir. You have to see the PA b/f you can see the audiologist."
This is the crap we are going thru/ as consumers which runs up the cost of healthcare.
My initial instinct is to not pay. Period. What's the practice going to do? Turn it over to a collection agency? Fine, let's go to court and have the PA testify as to the necessity and nature of the examination. Ha! Not likely.
I hear all the time medical professionals complain about people not going to the doctor when they should, and not getting regular checkups. Well, can you blame the poor senior citizen. There are so many instances of getting ripped off by the medical business, I've lost track of them all. I've taken a new policy. I'm not going unless I think I need to go, and not paying for stuff I don't think I need. Colonoscopy? I'm 59, and I have not had one and have no plans to get one.
I can't believe their are no other options for hearing aids than those that cost $5000 a pop. Do some research.
I did a quick check, and yes you can find hearing aids on the internet for $100 bucks a piece. Just order them, and skip the "hearing professionals" What else do you need besides a volume control? All they are is an very small amplifier that fits in your ear. Its not rocket science, and you don't have to spend $5000.
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