From my good friend, Marge- Hearing aid costs not covered by insurance

AOL EmailMarge,

Hearing aid specialists (audiologists) have been performing tests and ordering hearing aids for patients throughout medical history. These are honest people making a decent living. The shame is that the science of miniaturization is being paid for at an exhorbitant price to most of us patients.

I paid out about $25,000 throughout the several years of buying hearing aids until friends told me to go to the Veterans Administration. I was retested there and they ordered two of the newest digital behind the ear (kind I wanted) hearing aids. These came at no out of pocket cost to me.

I empathize with you, Marge, and with all patients who face the normally uncovered expense of obtaining hearing aids.

It is a penalty (not being able to afford the help that is available) the pensioners of America suffer. Surely the elitist representatives of us can do something to help their senior citizens.

A friend you have helped throughout our years of acquaintanship,

Sam Kegley



----- Original Message -----
From: Kanzurem@aol.com
To: Amberose88@aol.com ; skegley@columbus.rr.com
Sent: Monday, January 04, 2010 2:08 AM
Subject: Fwd: From: MRusnak - Please read my letter


Hey, not sure if you received this. The two VA Senators email address was wrong so I got the message back. So I will send via the mail. Marge

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From: Kanzurem
To: hrhcolleen2002@yahoo.com, CACRAN@verizon.net, dianneedixon1@yahoo.com, lainie414@hotmail.com, Margectr@cox.net, frankiroberts@cox.net, Hattie.smith@potomachospital.com, Nanarina, Mar55irv
Sent: 1/4/2010 1:52:07 A.M. Eastern Standard Time
Subj: From: MRusnak - Please read my letter


To all: I have had it with ear doctors and the hi cost of hearing aids. I have a hearing loss in my right ear and per the ear doc, I should purchase a pair of hearings aids. He
suggested 2 and the cost is $2,500 for one. I cannot afford this. Medicare and Blue Shield/Blue Cross my insurance companies do not pay for hearing aids. Having talked to several friends who bought digital hearing aids, some have had problems with them and cannot wear them; tried to get their money reimbursed and no go; some don't have any problems, but paid a high price for theirs. DON'T know about you all, but hearing loss is a serious matter and this has not been covered under the new Health Care Plan.
So, I thought I would give this letter a shot to my VA congressmen and senators plus NARFE President in hopes that someone will do something for us Americans, Disability folks and the next generation as I believe they will all be deaf when they reach 65 if they are lucky. If any of you feel the same way as I do, maybe you would consider writing a similar letter to your congressmen and senators soon. I wonder if we all pull together, maybe Congress can do something for us who can use a hearing aid or in the near future as we age. Thanks for reading this. Ignore my mistakes if you find any. Marge

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From: Kanzurem
To: Moran@house.gov, GerryConnolly@house.gov, warner@senate.gov/contact/contactme.com, Webb@senate.gov/contct/contactme.com
CC: natpres@narfe.org, natvp@narfe.org, natsec@narfe.org, nattreas@narfe.org, vivmiller801@netzero.net, ambrose88;skegley@columbus.rr.com
Sent: 1/4/2010 1:38:19 A.M. Eastern Standard Time
Subj: Legislation for Hearing Exams/Aids--Health Care Plan addition


JANUARY 4, 2010

TO: Hon. Gerry Connolly; Hon. Jim Moran;
Hon. Mark Warner; Hon. James Webb

FROM: Marge Rusnak, Alexandria, VA 703-768-9171
EMAIL: kanzurem@aol.com

SUBJECT: Request for legislation to be developed to cap or control the
high cost of hearing exams and hearing aids for those who are in
need.

Per my understanding of the current Health Care Plan, there is nothing addressed in the House Bills relating to this necessary health care problem.
I feel very adamant that there is a need to cap or control the high costs of hearing aids being manufactured by companies selling their hearing aids via the ear doctors and their practices.

There are many young children, young adults and of course, those over 55 who need hearing aids. After having a hearing exam, the doctor explains to the individual that they need a hearing aid or may be two. The cost is discussed and come to find out these digital hearing aids start at $2,5000 to $8,000-$10,000 for one and, in some cases, if you are lucky, two. Medicare and health insurance companies do not cover any of this expense. Loss of hearing is becoming a national disease because of the noise pollution we are enduring in everyday life.

Those of us on a fixed income or disability social security cannot afford to purchase a hearing aid(s) due to this high cost. Many people, young and old, need hearing exams and good hearing aids, but our health care plan does not provide for this serious condition which is related to our health. Just think of all those drivers out there young and old who cannot hear well and can cause an accident. Look at all the young folks living with plugs in their ears walking and driving cars; just stop at a traffic light and listen to the next car owner playing his/her radio so loudly with closed windows and you can hear their music through your closed windows. Does this make sense to you? Don't you all think that our future generation of young adults will be deaf before they become seniors? How will they be able to afford hearing aids then if they cannot even afford them now. This is a very serious problem and a very expensive one for most families having children who do need hearing exams and hearing aids. Then you have those over 55 or older who really need hearing aids and cannot afford to purchase even one. Sometimes when someone does purchase a $2,500 or $5,000 hearing aid, it doesn't work and they cannot get reimbursed for the money they have spent even though they have been back to the doctor to adjust the new hearing aid. What is wrong with the manufacturer who developed these digital hearing aids in the first place? Are they not being tested by the ASTM?
If not, they should be.

For the benefit for many of the young adults and people over 55 that have a need for hearing aids, but cannot afford them, I am requesting that you, the Congressmen and Senators that I have voted into Congress, consider developing legislation to assure that all health insurance companies & the Medicare Program include in their policy coverage for hearing exams and hearing aids.
Hearing loss is a very serious matter and should be covered by any health care plan being considered for public law.

Thanking you in advance for reading my letter.

Marge Rusnak