THE END OF THE YEAR IS A GREAT TIME TO CARE FOR YOUR HEARING HEALTH

Open Enrollment Time – Health Insurance

This is the time of year when many employers ask you to re-enroll in your health insurance plans.  It’s the time to choose the plan that best meets your healthcare needs, as well as adding healthcare flexible spending accounts (FSA) or other perks.  

Do I need separate hearing healthcare coverage?

While many employers offer dental or vision insurance as a separate plan, most health insurance plans that cover general healthcare needs, such as primary care and visits to specialists, include hearing healthcare as part of that overall coverage.   Most plans offer one comprehensive hearing test during every 12 month period, if you suspect a change in your hearing levels.

Will my health insurance plan cover hearing aids?

Health insurance plans consider hearing aids to be a type of Durable Medical Equipment (other examples can include crutches, wheelchairs, and blood glucose monitoring strips used in treatment of  diabetes).  In years past, it was true that for most people, hearing aids were an out of pocket expense, but health insurers are starting to understand the quality of life change that hearing aids can bring.  Many plans now offer benefits to cover a portion of the cost of hearing instruments.  Call the member services number to inquire whether or not they offer coverage for hearing aids—and whether that coverage will continue to be available in 2016.

Benefits for Hearing Aid Upgrades or Replacements

If your health insurance plan offers benefits for hearing aids, also check with them to determine how often the benefits are renewed.  Commonly, benefits for new hearing aids are offered once every 3 years or once every 5 years, allowing for upgrades (due to improvements in technology or change in hearing levels), or for a backup set of instruments.

Insurance Deductible

Does your insurance plan have a deductible that must be met each year?  If that is the case with your plan, year-end is a good time to make medical purchases or plan procedures, before  your deductible resets in January

Flex Savings Account

Do you have a Flexible Savings Account through your employer?  In most cases, you must use any remaining funds in your account before December 31, or you’ll forfeit your remaining balance.  Amounts paid for a hearing aid and hearing aid batteries are eligible medical expenses.  Accessories such as remotes, streamers, and dehumidifiers are included, as are any needed repairs to the hearing instruments.

Tax Deductions

Hearing aids count as a medical expense on your taxes filed in April 2016 if they are purchased before December 31, 2015.  Specifically, on your federal income tax return, you can deduct the portion of your medical and dental expenses that exceed ten percent (10%) of your adjusted gross income (AGI). (However, if you or your spouse was born before January 2, 1949, the deduction threshold is 7.5% of your AGI.)

Hearing Well for the Holidays

The end of the year often brings family gatherings.  Take care of your hearing now to make sure you’re hearing well at parties and social gatherings this year.