September 10 – “100% Coverage”

Now yet another hearing test is behind me.  The results were exactly the same as they have been every other time.  “Mr. Vaughan, you have significant hearing loss.”  OK, OK, I get that.  So let’s move on to getting the new hearing aids before these that I have give out completely. 

The most attractive feature of this new audiologist is, of course, that she is located in Galveston.  She lives in Spanish Grant – a West Ender – so that’s a plus, too.  She doesn’t have a doctorate like the other two did, though.  But I’m hoping her years of experience have given her a practical handle on the two issues at hand – which brand do we select and dealing with the insurance company. 

Sure enough, she recommended an entirely different model than the one the others did.  She wasn’t so high on the ones that operate in conjunction with the iPhone, simply because she has had to repair and return so many.  Hmm.  That is a red flag.  That is also the one the other audiologists did recommend.  We went back and forth on that one, but finally agreed to go with her recommendation, since it does sync with the phone for using things like FaceTime. 

And then came dealing with the insurance company.  In initial phone calls, they had assured the other two audiologists that I was covered 100% for a new pair of hearing aids every year.  Chris and I never really trusted that statement, though.  So the office manager here called and finally worked her way through to a human being to get some answers.  She was on the phone with him for about 45 minutes while we waited.  Meanwhile, the audiologist’s system calls for us to be approved for a mini-loan through their affiliate bank so they get their money up front.  Then when the insurance company pays them, they cut us a check.  We had already passed that process with flying colors.  All that was left was confirmation of the “100% Coverage.”  Well, it took that whole near-hour, along with some pretty tough questioning, but we finally got the answer.  Sure, they provide 100% coverage.  100% of whatever Medicare would pay for the same service if they offered it.  Which in this case they actually don’t.  Sound confusing yet?  They were finally able to locate a chart somewhere in their archives that detailed a specific amount that they would cover – about $2,020 less than the hearing aids cost.  That’s what 100% coverage means to the insurance company.  I’m sure there will also be some other hidden exceptions that will no doubt apply in our case as well.  Sigh.  So much for getting the hot tub up and running any time soon.  It’s been seven years since it last worked.  What’s another seven?  And at least I’ll be able to hear the doctor’s instructions at the myelogram …

1 Timothy 6:12 says, “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”

Father, thank you for what the insurance company does cover on those hearing aids.  It’s the first time we haven’t had to buy them totally on our own.  100%.  Amen.