UnitedHealthcare Launches Hearing Healthcare Program

UnitedHealthcare (UHC) is launching a hearing healthcare program to combat hearing loss and improve access to quality, affordable hearing aids.

The program, titled UnitedHealthcare Hearing, is available to all consumers, including members enrolled in individual, employer-sponsored, and Medicare Advantage plans, the payer stated in a recent announcement. Eligible members will have access to customized hearing aids at up to 80 percent less than the traditional price.

“UnitedHealthcare Hearing expands our whole-person benefit plans that offer greater access to quality, cost-effective care for the millions of Americans we serve. Helping people maintain or improve their hearing health can enhance their overall well-being and reduce their risk of falls and health conditions associated with untreated hearing loss, such as depression and dementia,” Tom Wiffler, chief executive officer of UnitedHealthcare Specialty Benefits, said in the announcement.

Approximately 48 million Americans experience hearing loss, according to the Hearing Loss Association of America. However, a 2015 study showed that less than 20 percent report using hearing aids. Cost is a major deterrent. Two hearing aids can cost around $4,700, the same study explains.

UHC will coordinate with Ear Professionals International Corporation (EPIC) Hearing Healthcare and hi HealthInnovations to deliver affordable products and services to their hearing challenged beneficiaries.

The largest hearing benefits provider in the US and the first organization to offer hearing healthcare as a benefit through EPIC Hearing Service Plans (HSPs), EPIC is also the recipient of the Health Network Accreditation from the Utilization Review Accreditation Commission (URAC) in 2015.

With EPIC, UHC beneficiaries across the nation will have access to 5,000 audiologists and hearing healthcare providers. EPIC’s services for most UHC members include administering hearing tests and hearing aid evaluations, a year of follow-up from a local provider, and a hearing counselor who can offer technical, account, and purchasing support. EPIC’s hearing aids come from major manufacturers such as Phonac, Oticon, and Signia.

hi HealthInnovations is a UHC subsidiary that also works with employer-sponsored, AARP Medicare Advantage, and AARP Medicare Part D plans.

With hi HealthInnovations’ help, UHC will offer discounted, private label, state-of-the-art hearing aids. Like EPIC, hi Health Innovations also offers hearing evaluations, in addition to adjusting hearing aids and following up with consumers for free. Beneficiaries can order the devices in person, by phone, or online.

Additionally, UnitedHealthcare aims to help firefighters experiencing hearing loss as part of its new hearing healthcare program.

Firefighters work in extremely high volume situations that may lead to negative hearing effects. Noise-induced hearing loss may lead to a firefighter being unfit for duty or may result in other adverse or even fatal health outcomes such as cardiovascular disease, a 2015 study indicated.

A separate study revealed that if required to wear a hearing protection device, 85 percent of the firefighters surveyed would comply and if it was optional, 48 percent would still opt to wear the device.

UHC is distributing 20,000 silicone-based earplugs to policemen and firefighters in Minneapolis, Cleveland, Dallas, San Antonio, Seattle, and five other cities across the US. These reusable earplugs can reduce sound infiltration by up to 35 decibels.

In order to increase awareness about the prevalence and cost of hearing loss, UnitedHealthcare Hearing is also teaming up with Songs for Sound to create a TV and radio commercial. Songs for Sound is a national nonprofit dedicated to serving those who suffer hearing loss or deafness.

Between its collaborations and awareness campaign, UnitedHealthcare Hearing will address a wide range of hearing-related challenges.