Insured now higher subsidy for hearing aids

Insured persons receive higher subsidy for hearing aids

02/11/2013

Since the first of November, the statutory health insurance companies have been paying higher contributions to hearing aids for their hard of hearing insured persons. The previous fixed amount is almost doubled from now on.

Grant almost doubled
How informed the consumer center Saxony on Friday, hard-of-hearing adults have since the first November of their health insurance instead of currently 421.28 euros now 784.94 euros for a hearing aid. The previous fixed amount has almost doubled. Accordingly, the costs for the consultation, programming and adjustment of the hearing aid, as well as the aftercare, are also taken over by the health insurance companies.

Compare offers by the providers
Consumer expert Marion Schmidt explained: „Hearing care professionals can decide for themselves which devices they use as cash register devices“, but they would also have to offer models that correspond to the amount of the fixed amount. Many hearing aids are, depending on hearing loss and individual need, significantly more expensive than the subsidy. According to the Consumer Center, therefore, patients should not be pushed into a device with high personal contribution, but should compare at least two different offers from the providers.

Cash desk responsible for complete disability compensation
Under certain circumstances, the health insurance company must pay a hearing impaired person a hearing aid that is more expensive than the stipulated fixed amount. For example, two months ago the Landessozialgericht Niedersachsen-Bremen ruled that the health insurance funds were responsible for the most complete disability equalization possible, including hearing impaired people who had to be able to understand their behavior in large rooms and in ambient noise wherever possible. The court referred to a decision of the Federal Social Court in 2009.

First of all to the ENT doctor
Cash patients only receive a hearing aid on prescription the first time after an ENT doctor has examined it. From their cash register, they will then find out which hearing care professionals are contractual partners of the fund. In Germany, around 14 million people suffer from hearing loss. About 500,000 people are treated with hearing aids every year. (Ad)

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