Mark Paton</a> on <a href=https://healthexec.com/topics/healthcare-management/healthcare-economics/"https://unsplash.com/s/photos/hearing-aid?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText%22>Unsplash " loading="lazy" class="image-style-top-stories" />UnitedHealthcare has teamed up with AARP to administer hearing aid solutions, including prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids.
UnitedHealthcare will administer AARP Hearing Solutions, enabling AARP members to purchase prescription hearing aids through the health insurer starting at $699 per hearing aid. According to UnitedHealthcare, this is a much lower price than traditional providers or retailers. The price also includes support from a licensed hearing professional, as well as personalized assistance from UnitedHealthcare Hearing during and after purchase.
The partnership also gives AARP members access to UnitedHealthcare Hearing’s network of thousands of hearing healthcare professionals for no-cost hearing tests and in-person assistance for fittings, adjustments and support, as well as direct delivery and virtual care options.
“UnitedHealthcare aims to support the physical, mental and social health of all Americans, and improving access to hearing health care is an important part of those efforts,” Tom Wiffler, CEO, UnitedHealthcare specialty benefits, said in a statement. “Making it easier and more affordable for people to obtain quality, cost-effective hearing healthcare and hearing aids is crucial as part of our focus on whole-person health.”
The news comes after Walmart announced it would sell OTC hearing aids, ranging from from $199 to $999 per pair. Customers can receive a hearing test at Walmart Health Centers, where they can be assessed for hearing loss, rule out underlying conditions and see if hearing aids are the right choice.
Hearing aids could be beneficial to nearly 30 million Americans, according to Walmart. President Joe Biden recently issued an executive order to increase competition in healthcare, and directed the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to make hearing aids available over the counter. The FDA was able to do so thanks to the Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act of 2017.
Within the UnitedHealthcare Hearing program, AARP members can also access OTC hearing aids for self-diagnosed mild-to-moderate hearing loss. AARP members can complete an optional online hearing test and order OTC hearing aids from brands like Jabra Enhance Plus and Lexie B2, powered by Bose.
AARP members who don’t have UnitedHealthcare insurance will also have access to the benefits, including discounts, no-cost hearing test and consultation, followup care and more.
“AARP members will benefit from access to UnitedHealthcare Hearing’s expansive network of hearing centers and its commitment to providing quality hearing care,” said Greg Marion, AARP Services senior vice president of health products & services. “By providing members with hearing aid options that are best-in-class and affordable, we found that UnitedHealthcare Hearing was the best fit to serve AARP members' hearing care needs. By offering AARP members exclusive pricing for over-the-counter hearing aids, this could be a game changer for people with untreated hearing loss.”
Amy joined TriMed Media as a Senior Writer for HealthExec after covering home care for three years. When not writing about all things healthcare, she fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming a pirate by sailing in regattas and enjoying rum. Fun fact: she sailed 333 miles across Lake Michigan in the Chicago Yacht Club "Race to Mackinac."