Federal Employees May Be Able to Get No-Cost Hearing Aids at Austin Hearing Services in Austin TX, Under the Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program
Austin, TX (PRWEB) July 10, 2013 -- Patients of Austin Hearing Services, or anyone seeking hearing aids in Austin, TX who has insurance through Blue Cross Blue Shield should take note that the insurance company has made changes to coverage for hearing aids and related services for federal employees.
Austin Hearing Services can help clients understand the insurance information and obtain benefits for hearing aids, hearing evaluation services, device fitting and even follow up care. Federal employees may be able to obtain their hearing devices for little to no cost through Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Federal Employee Program.
The company offers multiple styles of hearing aids – those nestled completely inside the ear canal, an in-ear style which is larger than those in the ear canal, and behind-the-ear styles. Costs of hearing aids can vary, depending on the style and technology in the hearing aid.
Digital and analog hearing aids can cost anywhere from $700 to $1,700 each, while digital technology aids can run $1,400 to $3,200 each, and many health insurance plans do not cover hearing aids. As of 2013, the Federal Employee Benefit plan administered by Blue Cross Blue Shield does cover the cost of most styles of hearing aids for federal employees.
New in 2013, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program eliminated the “benefit per ear” provision and increased coverage from $2,500 to $5,000 per calendar year for adults and children with bone-anchored hearing aids.
For other types of adult hearing aids and related services, clients can expect coverage of up to $2,500 every three calendar years. Children’s hearing services and devices are covered, in amounts up to $2,500 annually.
The hearing aid selection process at Austin Hearing Services begins with a hearing test and moves into hearing aid evaluation, where a client can choose from conventional or digital hearing aids. Once a client has chosen their device, the professionals at Austin Hearing Services will help to fit the hearing aid and can help with after care.
Austin Hearing Services provides hearing evaluation services, tinnitus evaluation and management and even hearing aids with Bluetooth capability.
The company’s website provides an explanation of hearing evaluation tests and follow up care that may be covered for federal employees - including live speech mapping, wax management and custom ear molds.
Austin Hearing Services was founded in 1999 by Dr. Margaret Hutchinson. Dr. Hutchinson received her Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Biological Sciences from Southern Illinois University and a Master of Science (MS) degree in Communications Disorders from the University of Texas at Dallas. She completed her doctoral studies at the University of Texas at Dallas earning a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Human Development and Communications Disorders in 1996. Dr. Hutchinson has multiple publications in the field of audiology and is a frequent conference speaker. She has been cited in Notable Women of Texas and Who's Who In Science and Engineering. The American Academy of Audiology honored Margaret with the Academy's Scholar Award in 2011. She is Board Certified in Audiology and a member of the American Auditory Society, the American Academy of Audiology, the American Speech and Hearing Association, the Academy of Rehabilitative Audiology and the Society for Neuroscience.
About Austin Hearing Services:
Austin Hearing Services has provided hearing aids in Austin, TX and its surrounding communities for several years. The company offers a full range of diagnostic and preventative hearing healthcare professional services, including hearing aid screening, evaluations, hearing aids sales and rehabilitative and preventative counseling. The staff is dedicated to keeping abreast of the latest improvements in technological advancements in the hearing industry and is committed to offering the most current options to patients.
Contact:
Dr. Margaret Hutchinson
http://austinhearingservices.com
Austin Hearing Services
6805 North Capital of Texas Highway #265
Austin, TX 78731
(512) 851-0871
Margaret Hutchishon, Austin Hearing Services, http://www.austinhearingservices.com, (512) 851-0871, [email protected]
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