About Levi A. Reiter, Ph.D. Expertise I can answer questions regarding hearing impairment, hearing aids, assistive listening devices (e.g., FM systems for children), hearing disorders (causes, treatments, prognoses, rehab, impact on other aspects of life), hearing tests (what they entail,etc.), hearing loss in children, best types of ear protectors for musicians & industry, the profession of audiology.
Experience I am a clinical audiologist in private practice with more than 20 years of professional experience.
I am also professor, and director of audiology at Hofstra University.
I see patients with hearing impairments, tinnitus, dizziness & balance problems, from infancy to geriatric.
Question hello,
i am a family physician.
i would like to know about health insurance.
if one is hearing impaired, i understand they are covered by medicaid for disability as an adult.
what if they or their parents/spouse have health insurance from work, for example. will private health insurances cover their needs?
thanks.
katty kim, md
Answer Hi Dr. Kim,
The answer to your question is "yes". Private health insurances will cover the diagnostic evaluation provided by a licensed audiologist. However, the majority do not provide coverage for products and or services related to hearing aids. That is, they do not cover any part of the cost of a hearing aid, a hearing aid repair, hearing aid batteries, or even a hearing aid evaluation.
There are a few exceptions to this rule. For example, some or all of the costs of hearing aid products and services are paid for by certain trade union insurances, e.g., UFT, some governmental insurances, e.g., Empire Plan for NYState employees, and at least one major HMO that I know of.
