Dental, Vision, and Hearing Coverage

[hearlady]

If you have BCBS Federal you have $2500 towards hearing aids. Companies like Cigna and Aetna can refer you to programs that provide a significant discount on aids. Ask about Amplifon HHC (hearing health care).
BCBS uses TruHearing for their discount.
You have to ask about these programs.
Coventry used to have great coverage, not sure now.
If you're low income check with your state's Division of Services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Some will provide one hearing aid.
There are foundations also. Miracle Ear Gift of Sound, Starkey HearNow, etc.
Bottom line you have to research.

 

[hearlady]

BCBS Federal is not the same as Tricare btw.
With DSDHH the income levels are not that low so don't assume you don't qualify

 

[tnthomas]

Generally speaking dental, hearing and vision plans are not worth the money. And I'm speaking as an insurance agent. There are better options than paying an insurance company.

Most dental plans have a 12-18 month wait for anything other than minor (you can pay yourself) services. Eye exams are dirt cheap and glasses don't have to cost a fortune. Hearing aids are another story but saving $200 on a $3,000 pair isn't worth spending your premium dollars.

Again, this is a general statement. If they come with an advantage plan FOR FREE then it's one of the few times they are a good deal.

Rick

Thanks Rick, I just got on Medicare July 1st, and signed up with Kaiser's SeniorAdvantage Plus plan. The "Plus" costs $20/month and covers vision, nearing & dental.

Right now the dental coverage is my most concern, the DeltaCare USA is an HMO plan, but the dentist we want to use only accepts PPO plans, so I'm looking for alternatives and weighing options.

 

[GreenSky]

Thanks Rick, I just got on Medicare July 1st, and signed up with Kaiser's SeniorAdvantage Plus plan. The "Plus" costs $20/month and covers vision, nearing & dental.

Right now the dental coverage is my most concern, the DeltaCare USA is an HMO plan, but the dentist we want to use only accepts PPO plans, so I'm looking for alternatives and weighing options.

The "alternatives" would be a PPO dental which will likely have waiting periods for anything expensive. And although a dentist could say "we accept xxx" it doesn't mean they are in network. So even if the PPO pays you could still be spending lots of money. In fact, even if the dentist is in network, after a 6-18 month wait, the PPO will only pay 1/2 of the bill and usually no more than $1-1,500 in a year.

There are plans that simply allow you to access the same rates that PPO plans allow. Generally they cost around $100/yr. This is exactly what my wife and I have. No waiting periods and saves about 1/3 on the cost since we did find an in-network dentist.

The last alternative is the following:

You: So doctor, are you an in-network provider for Delta PPO?
Doc: Yes, I am.
You: Great. How about if I pay you 100% of the allowable for your services? That way I avoid paying Delta $50 monthly and you get paid immediately without worrying about authorizations.
Doc: You are brilliant and I'm lucky to have you as a patient.

Rick