Any experience with Hearing Care Solutions with MAPD plans?

[mq435600]

We have a new for 2019 Aetna MAPD in the Minneapolis/St Paul area offering a 2020 hearing aid benefit through Hearing Care Solutions. The top-level plan is offering $2000 hearing aid benefit per ear, however I question its true value. My online research shows some Anthem plans use them and Aetna in other markets. Reviews are few albeit mediocre. Also found one LA Times article highlighting one member's price confusion with possible bait & switch (yes n=1 always makes for a valid sample size especially when it comes to the news). I couldn't find any posts here so thought I'd ask for insights. Thanks in advance!

 

[somarco]

If you are thinking about using the HA "benefit" as a lead in to the sale . . . you might want to reconsider.

I have a few carriers that include Silver Sneakers but I NEVER use that as an incentive to influence the buyers decision.

Hearing Care Solutions, Inc. | Complaints | Better Business Bureau® Profile

Column: Say what? How an $800 charge for hearing aids soared to a $3,600 healthcare bill

Hearing Care Solutions Reviews, Ratings | Hearing Aid Providers near 5889 Greenwood Plaza Blvd Ste 300 , Greenwood Village CO

Say what? How an $800 charge for hearing aids soared to a $3,600 healthcare bill

Hearing Care Solutions (HCS) to manage services for some Medicare members

 

[mq435600]

Thanks and I didn't see much more than those links as well. The majority of discussions focus on the medical, the exposure for serious medical situations and prescriptions. I call most of those benefits fluffy and nice they work for the member however I've never been enthusiastic about the hearing aid benefits on any plans. I read all their BBB complaints noting how the company responded but still appeared to miss the mark. I'll have to tell the client to do his own research.

And yes people love the fitness programs but the utilization rate is so so poor. Too bad how it must be easier to stay home and watch all those medicare ads on tv instead of watching them on a treadmill.

 

[Midlevel]

I have a lot of people on Aetna and quite a few have gotten hearing aids this year. They just call Hearing Care Solutions and then they set them up with an audiologist that is in network. When they get their prescription then they direct them to the local Hearing Care Solutions provider to get the hearing aids. They can either get the ones that will be covered completely by their plan or else can upgrade and pay extra themselves. Next year a lot of the Aetna plans are $2500.00 per year and that gets them a pair valued at $3800 but with the discount for going through Hearing Care Solutions they get them for $2500 so costs them nothing. The reviews on the hearing aids have been positive so far. This year they kind of allowed people to get them at Costco, etc and then they reimbursed the $1000 or whatever their benefit was. Next year they must go through HCS to get any reimbursement.