Is There Financial Aid for Hearing Aids?

It is true that hearing aids can be an expensive necessity. If you have been diagnosed with hearing loss and have been told that you need a hearing aid, the cost of purchasing one can be daunting. Finances are the biggest reasons why many people forego the option to get a hearing aid because they do not know the financing options they have. If you are one of those people, there are some ways you can finance your hearing aid.

First and foremost, have a conversation with your hearing center about your financial situation. There may be some payment options that you qualify for. Some of those plans have little to no interest, making it very manageable to fit into your budget.

They may have a foundation that may be able to help you and others like you who may not be able to afford the full amount of your hearing aid. You could also ask about refurbished devices from your hearing center that have been given to the center from patients who have upgraded their devices. Let us break down more options you can use when financing your hearing aid.

While hearing aids are an investment in your health, it’s important to note what can happen if you allow it to remain untreated. Without intervention, untreated hearing loss can cost more money than you may think. In a recent study looking at 562,000 privately insured people that fell between the ages of 55 and 64 found that people with untreated hearing loss had 33% higher medical bills than those who did not have hearing loss. You may think that you are saving more money by not purchasing a hearing aid, but you could be spending more.

Credit

Credit is a great way to pay for your hearing aid. You can get a credit card from most card companies that offer entry interest rates of zero percent for new customers. Always keep in mind of who much you can afford to pay on a monthly basis because if you can pay off your balance comfortably before your entry period ends, you could save some money. Some credit card companies even cater to healthcare financing. Be sure to ask your healthcare provider if they accept a care credit or a Wells Fargo Health Advantage.

Care Credit offers financing for cosmetic, dentistry, hearing, LASIK and vision and veterinary services and procedures just to name a few. This is a great option to finance for your hearing aid because more than 175,000 health care providers accept these forms of payment. You typically will not have to pay interest for purchases over $200 for terms of six, 12, 18 and 24 months.

Another credit card program you can take advantage of is through Wells Fargo Health Advantage credit card program. This has a yearly interest rate of 12.99 percent and special terms include no interest if you pay the full amount of the bill within six, 12-18 months. This all is dependent upon the amount of how much your purchase was.

Health Benefits

The health benefits you get from your employer can be a great way to pay for your hearing device. Make sure that you ask your employer if your health benefits include a flexible spending account as you can use that to pay for your hearing aid. Most flexible spending accounts allow you to use up to $2,500 tax-free dollars to pay for your co-payments, prescription medicines, deductibles and any other out-of-pocket healthcare costs. Ask your employer. You never know!

Most FSAs cover the whole package including hearing exams, hearing aids, maintenance costs and batteries. Double-check with your employer to see if they permit any unused funds to be rolled over into the next calendar year when it comes to your flexible spending account. You should also ask about getting a total list of allowances as these may change annually.

Your Home

If you own your home, this is a great option for you. You may be able to use a home equity line of credit to finance your hearing aid. This is the same thing as taking out a second mortgage. You can take out a loan within a specified term and use your home as collateral. Keep in mind that interest rates will still apply, although the interest rate is tax-deductible. You should check in with your mortgage lender or bank teller to find out if you qualify.

There are many ways that you can finance your hearing aid. You are not in this alone. If you want to learn more about your financing options with Adirondack Audiology, please call us at (888) 347-5899.