Hearing aids are generally not a covered benefit under any health insurance plan. You should always check with your health insurance company first, before seeking services. Hearing screenings may be a covered benefit under your health plan. A hearing aid typically costs a few thousand dollars, sometimes more. Some employees may be eligible for discount programs or an accommodation.
Your audiology provider should be the first point of contact when inquiring about financial assistance for hearing aids. You or your child may be eligible for government programs that provide financial assistance. MiChild and Michigan Rehabilitation Services are both income based programs that require qualification and referrals.
The resources below are intended to be informational only and are not a guarantee of benefits.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
877-760-8575
Group number 71571
Michigan Department of Community Health (MiChild)
Michigan Rehabilitation Services
Kathy Flagstatd
906-482-6045
American with Disabilities Act
An employer is not required to provide an accommodation that is primarily for personal use. Reasonable accommodation applies to modifications that specifically assist an individual in performing the duties of a particular job. Equipment or devices that assist a person in daily activities on and off the job are considered personal items that an employer is not required to provide. However, in some cases, equipment that otherwise would be considered "personal" may be required as an accommodation if it is specifically designed or required to meet job-related rather than personal needs (EEOC, 2002). Examples of such would be: sign language interpreter, captioned telephones, telephone headset, assistive computer software, etc. Hearing loss may be viewed as a disability that may be accommodated in order to perform your job. For more information please contact the ADA Coordinator in Equal Opportunity Compliance at 906-487-3310.