UnitedHealthcare announced it has launched UnitedHealthcare Hearing, offering all consumers, including people enrolled in the company’s individual, employer-sponsored and Medicare Advantage plans, greater access to affordable, quality hearing health.
UnitedHealthcare Hearing brings together EPIC Hearing Healthcare, a provider of hearing health benefits, and hi HealthInnovations, a home-delivery hearing healthcare company.
“UnitedHealthcare Hearing expands our whole-person benefit plans that offer greater access to quality, cost-effective care for the millions of Americans we serve,” said Tom Wiffler, CEO, UnitedHealthcare Specialty Benefits. “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.”
About 48 million Americans experience some degree of hearing loss, although many do not seek treatment due to cost and lack of coverage. Hearing loss is linked to age and environmental factors, and prolonged and repetitive exposure to loud sounds is contributing to the growing prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss, particularly among people of working age in their 30s, 40s, and 50s.
According to the announcement, UnitedHealthcare Hearing will reportedly provide additional value to employees and companies that combine medical and specialty health benefits, including vision, dental, and financial protection coverage, through a single health plan. To learn more about the value of integrating medical and specialty benefits to help encourage better health outcomes and lower costs, click here.
As part of the launch, UnitedHealthcare is sharing TV and radio public service announcements with stations across the country—in collaboration with Songs for Sound, a national nonprofit dedicated to improving access to hearing health care—to help people understand the connection between noise exposure and hearing loss.
UnitedHealthcare is also donating 20,000 silicone-based earplugs to police and fire departments across the country. The reusable earplugs will help protect the health of first responders who are at risk of hearing loss due to on-the-job noise exposure.
“Studies show firefighters and police officers are at higher risk for hearing loss, in part due to exposure to loud sounds while helping protect people’s safety and well-being,” said John Fruetel, chief, Minneapolis Fire Department. “We appreciate this donation and know it will help support the health of our first responders in Minneapolis.”
In addition to Minneapolis, first responders in nine other cities across the country are receiving earplug donations, including Cleveland, Dallas, Miami, San Antonio, Seattle, St Paul, Minn, and Washington, DC. To see how this donation is already helping firefighters, click here.
UnitedHealthcare entered the hearing aid market in late 2011 with its hi HealthInnovations hearing aid, which is manufactured by Minneapolis-based IntriCon, and only recently purchased the hearing aid insurance provider EPIC. More information about UnitedHealthcare Hearing is available at: uhchearing.com.
Source: UnitedHealthcare
Images: UnitedHealthcare
I have been dealing with United Healthcare Hearing since Jan. 2021. I have to say they are disorganized, they cannot seem to communicate with their co-company (United HealthCare), I get contradictory information and information that I get is often times just plan inaccurate. On calls I have been cut off and simply dropped. Service is just not customer friendly. When I ordered my hearing aids (which are very good hearing aids and I am more than satisfied with) I over paid, I had met most of my out of pocket max and max deductible while UHC Hearing was sitting on my co-payment waiting for the 45 day hearing aid trial period to pass. While they were holding it I had continued to make copayments for other services and thus when UHC hearing finally submitted bill to United Healthcare I had over paid (due to these continued copays, etc.). Now, I have been fighting with both United Healthcare and United Healthcare Hearing for over 3 months trying to get my overpayment back. In my last conversation with UHC was that UHC Hearing was going to review to see if there was an actual overpayment or was it an underpayment (another long story). I had to fight the outcome of the original review back in Feb 2021 (so here we go again), I don’t hold out a lot of hope that I will ever get my overpayment back, more than likely I will be told I under paid and will have to pay more.
Beware, if you have the option, try to stay away from United Healthcare Hearing, if not good luck.
Who is the hearing aid provider in Corvallis, Oregon that provides hearing aid for 360.00?
I recently lost my United Healthcare hearing aids and went to the United Healthcare Audiologist to get tested again and replace. None of the hearing aids offered in my price range were acceptable including my replacement brand which I never liked. Now I’ve been prescribed the MD Hearing Aids called “Air” which work perfectly. Apparently, MD Hearing Aids are not offered brands by United Healcare. Question: May I turn in the RX and billing for the MD Hearing Aids for co-pay reimbursement?
I received the coupon from United Health Care for hearing aids. I took the coupon to my new audiologist. She took
the coupon but apparently it won’t pay anything on the Widex rechargeable aids she ordered for me on the 5th
of January.
I would like access to information about this coupon and how it might help me. I have United Health Care supplemental insurance to go with medicare
Best of luck with this program, I have found it not user friendly. I am actually in healthcare myself and it is frustrating, different departments do each function, transfer the call & is dropped. multiple calls to accomplish just minimal requests. Limited in network providers that have limited services & access to Audiologists. was told 3 different stories about my benefits from 3 different people & even was emailed 3 different quotes. I just feel bad for people whom are not healthcare literate to keep on these guys to do what the y are supposed to do. Their processes are not efficient at all.
Is HearUSA a United Healthcare provider
United Health Hearing and EPIC hearing have been “slow walking” my loss claim for upwards of 8 weeks while I go without any hearing device whatsoever. Why do they make it so hard (and take so long) to see a claim approved ?
I purchased Oticon hearing aids in January 2018 from a local provider and UHC benefit. I have recently lost my hearing aids. Do I qualify for the 1 time loss benefit? Or I will have to wait until January 2022 for a replacement?
Why does it appear to be asking too much to see a list of approved providers?
Need hearing aid in 27104 or near by.
I’d like a list of hearing aid providers in Moriches ny 11955
Recently learned I could get resources from UHC I purchase new hearing aids from Oticon and would like help through reinbursment.
James Beavers
Thanking you in advance
I would like a list of hearing aids and testing done with United Healthcare Hearing in the 88001 area.
I need to know a unitedhealthcare provider fo getting a new ear mold need help
I would like a list of approved hearing aid doctors and providers for Kootnei county Idaho
My name is John, I am retired and haveUnited Health care Advantage supplement through the Arizona State Retirement system. I currently reside in St. Croix USVI. I need hearing aids, can you help me?
I am obviously on your website and not able to find listings of in-network providers.
Hi Nancy. We are a trade magazine and online resource for the hearing industry, and as such, we don’t have a list of providers. Most of the major hearing aid (and device) manufacturers do maintain providers lists, as well as websites like Hearing Tracker, Healthy Hearing, and others.
I would like a list of hearing aid and testing facilities in the 99037 zip code of Washington state. I am a member of UnitedHealthcare. I have been on hold on the telephone for over 1/2 hour and I have things to do. Also have been on hold at UHC. Thank-you
I would recommend going online and researching area facilities. Sometimes the best way to find a good hearing care provider is to ask around. There are also websites like HearingTracker and others that provide ratings of audiologists and hearing aid specialists.