cost

[Guest guest]

Yea I agree wtih you. I myself have forked over thousands for my hearing loss

and it is getting worse. Thankfully like you though I have health insurance

which should cover my CI in the future.  It is not just you.  We are all in the

same boat.  Never enough time and money.

 

From: msmistysu <msmistysu@...>

Subject: Cost

Date: Tuesday, July 1, 2008, 5:41 PM

How do people afford to have a hearing loss? My son is 12 and I think

most of my health insurance will cover his implant. The hearing aides

are so expensive and insurance covers hardly nothing. It just seems

like there should be less cost involved...maybe that's just me.

[Guest guest]

Its not just you, its everyone. But, as one who is deafblind, I might

add that everyone faces some kind of cost. Perhaps I think this way to

minimize the impact that I deal with.

There has been a movement to get insurance to help cover hearing aids

tho. And there is help too for the unreimbursed costs of a cochlear implant

for those who need it.

*---* *---* *---* *---* *---*

Why doesn't Tarzan have a beard?

& Dreamer Doll ke7nwn

Newport, Oregon

N24C 8/2000 Hookup

rclark0276@...

http://webpages.charter.net/dog_guide/

[Guest guest]

I have always wanted to call my insurance company to ask for an explaination of

why HA's were not covered but first I'd take off my HA's while on the phone.

This way, they'd have to keep explaining their logic until I heard them... " Hmm

excuse me, can you speak up because I can't hear you? Repeat that please?

Repeat that please? Repeat that please? "

Just my warped sense of humor!

Larry

---- Bourque <momcb12@...> wrote:

> Yea I agree wtih you. I myself have forked over thousands for my hearing loss

and it is getting worse. Thankfully like you though I have health insurance

which should cover my CI in the future.  It is not just you.  We are all in

the same boat.  Never enough time and money.

>  

>

>

>

>

> From: msmistysu <msmistysu@...>

> Subject: Cost

>

> Date: Tuesday, July 1, 2008, 5:41 PM

>

>

>

>

>

>

> How do people afford to have a hearing loss? My son is 12 and I think

> most of my health insurance will cover his implant. The hearing aides

> are so expensive and insurance covers hardly nothing. It just seems

> like there should be less cost involved...maybe that's just me.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Larry,

Why not? After all, they really dont get it unless they can walk in our

shoes. But as has been pointed out all too often, insurance companies are

not in the business of paying claims and losing money. They prefer to keep

the shareholders happy rather than those who actually pay the premiums.

*---* *---* *---* *---* *---*

When you've seen one shopping center you've seen a mall.

& Dreamer Doll ke7nwn

Newport, Oregon

N24C 8/2000 Hookup

rclark0276@...

http://webpages.charter.net/dog_guide/

[Guest guest]

It's because of this high cost of living with hearing loss, that I

hope everyone will consider contacting their representatives about HR

2329 - Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act. Read more about it at:

http://www.hearingloss.org/advocacy/index.asp

If we can help to get this law passed, we will at least provide " some

measure " of financial relief to those of us who spend so much on

hearing aids each year. (Care to add up what batteries, dry n' store

bricks, etc., add to that? Yikes!)

P

http://hearingelmo.com/

[Guest guest]

Excellent and thanks for sharing.

 

The reason why Insurance do not cover hearing aid is probably for supply and

demand. I think and I may be wrong with this that insurance do not cover wheel

chairs. Again I might be wrong with wheel chairs.

 

Now insurance cover cochlear implant because is considered a surgery of the

inner ear. So it goes under surgeries.

 

From: P <denise.portis@...>

Subject: Re: Cost

Date: Tuesday, July 1, 2008, 4:06 PM

It's because of this high cost of living with hearing loss, that I

hope everyone will consider contacting their representatives about HR

2329 - Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act. Read more about it at:

http://www.hearingl oss.org/advocacy /index.asp

If we can help to get this law passed, we will at least provide " some

measure " of financial relief to those of us who spend so much on

hearing aids each year. (Care to add up what batteries, dry n' store

bricks, etc., add to that? Yikes!)

P

http://hearingelmo. com/

[Guest guest]

I agree that the cost of hearing aids is just crazy. Before I totally lost

my hearing, the HA's I was wearing were analog and 15 years old. My

husband kept bugging me to get new ones and I refused because we just

couldn't afford to spend thousands of dollars on digital hearing aids.

The Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit is a nice idea, but if I'm reading it

correctly, it wouldn't have helped me if I had gone ahead and gotten new

HA's. It sounds like it covers people 55 and over (I'm 43) or people

buying hearing aids for their kids. It would be nice if it covered anybody

buying a hearing aid, regardless of age. Or am I misunderstanding it?

Anyway, I was telling my husband that I would've been really upset if I'd

gone ahead and spent $5,000 (or whatever the exact cost was) for two

hearing aids and then ended up going totally deaf a few months later so I

guess it's good that I'm stubborn and refused to shell out the money. ha ha!

My simultaneous bilateral CI surgery is set, everyone -- July

22!! Yay! Thank goodness it's covered by insurance, to some degree anyway.

~Wendi in Illinois

http://suddensilence.wordpress.com/

[Guest guest]

You aren't reading that wrong, Wendi. I'm 42, and at first thought...

Heck! This doesn't help me at all!

But the political ramifications of this bill passing means that

hearing loss advocates have got their " foot in the door " . Their plan

is not to " stop " at this one (hopefully successful) bill. Their hope

is to escalate that over the decade to come to finally include " all "

who must purchase hearing aids. (I'm thinking... by that time I'll BE

IN the 55 group! Grin!) But it's " forward thinking " and change they

are working on right now. I support it for that reason!

P

[Guest guest]

You're right, ! I would support the bill either way (whether it

applied to me or not) but that's a great point -- it just paves the way for

bigger and better things. :-)

~Wendi in Illinois

http://suddensilence.wordpress.com/

[Guest guest]

Yes, I read it that way too, that it was for 55 and older people.  And I think I

responded to someone then, or maybe I thought it to myself, was but what about

all people who are younger who have hearing loss?  It's not easy coming up with

that kind of cash to make you life easier As I was raising my family I hated

having to spend money on hearing aids, when it could have been for something

they would have benefited from.  But, it was just the way it had to be. 

Thankfully Flex Comp came into being and that helped a little bit. 

But the point is, there is vision insurance, dental insurance, so why not

hearing insurance folks??  With many of the baby boomers reaching retirement and

losing their hearing (no doubt due to Woodstock, concerts, and boom boxes when

they were younger), you better believe things will start changing in Washington

DC. 

Whew...I better get off my soapbox and hide back in my corner.  BTW , I

agree with all you said below. 

 

Re: Cost

You aren't reading that wrong, Wendi. I'm 42, and at first thought...

Heck! This doesn't help me at all!

But the political ramifications of this bill passing means that

hearing loss advocates have got their " foot in the door " . Their plan

is not to " stop " at this one (hopefully successful) bill. Their hope

is to escalate that over the decade to come to finally include " all "

who must purchase hearing aids. (I'm thinking... by that time I'll BE

IN the 55 group! Grin!) But it's " forward thinking " and change they

are working on right now. I support it for that reason!

P

[Guest guest]

You are right ... CI requires medical surgery therefore covered by most

health insurance. Medicare instantly approves. While hearing aids are " devices "

probably the same terminolgy used for wheel chairs and unfortunetly most health

insurance do not cover. Often people question glasses coverage that hearing aids

should be treated the same way. It's your vision plan like dental plan and they

do not come from your health insurance. Maybe they should change and call it

hearing/vision plan in the first place. Suey

@...: johnjoe1011@...: Tue, 1 Jul 2008

14:06:58 -0700Subject: Re: Re: Cost

Excellent and thanks for sharing. The reason why Insurance do not cover hearing

aid is probably for supply and demand. I think and I may be wrong with this that

insurance do not cover wheel chairs. Again I might be wrong with wheel chairs.

Now insurance cover cochlear implant because is considered a surgery of the

inner ear. So it goes under surgeries. From: P <denise.portis@...>Subject:

Re: Cost@...: Tuesday, July 1, 2008, 4:06

PMIt's because of this high cost of living with hearing loss, that Ihope

everyone will consider contacting their representatives about HR2329 - Hearing

Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act. Read more about it at: http://www.hearingl

oss.org/advocacy /index.aspIf we can help to get this law passed, we will at

least provide " somemeasure " of financial relief to those of us who spend so much

onhearing aids each year. (Care to add up what batteries, dry n' storebricks,

etc., add to that? Yikes!)Phttp://hearingelmo. com/[Non-text portions of

this message have been removed]

[Guest guest]

I'm in Oz, but I watched a TV programme a couple of nights ago about

the 'unaccounted' US$23Billion paid out to Haliburton and other

contractors in Iraq. This was on top of the tens of billions that was

also 'ripped off' by Haliburton and some of the other contractors in

Iraq. This money would have been better spent on a more fair and

equitable health system for ALL Americans and not just the ones that

can afford insurance.

Ted F.

>

> How do people afford to have a hearing loss? My son is 12 and I think

> most of my health insurance will cover his implant. The hearing aides

> are so expensive and insurance covers hardly nothing. It just seems

> like there should be less cost involved...maybe that's just me.

>

[Guest guest]

Warped One,

Call on the relay and REALLY freak them out with " Go Ahead " , " Stop

Keying " , etc. Frustrate them so they can see what it's like.

You know until they walk a mile or 2 in your shoes they can only

imagine what it's like to have a hearing loss. I LOVE the folks who say,

" I KNOW what you're going through, I had a cold once and couldn't hear on

the phone for 3 days " Yeah, try LIVING with it. The downside of letting

someone walk in your shoes is they are a couple miles away and have your

shoes. So not only are you HOH, but shoeless as well.

One guy got peeved when I couldn't understand what he was saying at

work one time. So I explained that I had a hearing problem, and he gets

all miffed saying, " Why am I keeping an able bodied person from having a

job " Others in the store were almost as stunned as I was. So I

whispered to him, " I know it's an inconvenience to you having to repeat

yourself....(then at the top of my voice) BUT I HAVE TO LIVE WITH IT. "

Show some consideration. Got a round of applause, and the jerk left the

store.

So morons are around us, and they vote. Insurance companies are not

going to pay a cent more than they are federally legislated to HAVE to

pay. Just read about a totally implantable hearing aid, which runs

$12,000 - $15,000 per ear. Drawback for those has always been that

insurance doesn't cover hearing aids any more than they cover batteries

for hearing aids. So unless there are a lot of rich deaf people, the

company will sink.

Posted by: " lburg@... " lburg@... larry_burgess02895

Tue Jul 1, 2008 11:31 am (PDT)

I have always wanted to call my insurance company to ask for an

explaination of why HA's were not covered but first I'd take off my HA's

while on the phone. This way, they'd have to keep explaining their logic

until I heard them... " Hmm excuse me, can you speak up because I can't

hear you? Repeat that please? Repeat that please? Repeat that please? "

Just my warped sense of humor!

Larry

____________________________________________________________

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AztHMBWPdINDplPx1B/

[Guest guest]

Seems to me anything that is made for people with a hearing loss is

more expensive than something similar for a hearing person. Take those

alarm clocks that connect to lights or a vibrator that goes under the

matress, they cost $50 if you add the bed vibrator it's $80 or more.

You can get a decent alarm clock for hearing people for under $20.

Computers used to cost a few thousand dollars. As the technology was

more common you can get a good computer now for $500. My old analog

hearing aids cost $900 a piece over ten years ago they are more now.

The technology for those has been around forever. These companies take

advantage of the fact that we need these things and if we want them we

have to pay these ridiculous prices. Even Cochlear charges close to

$300 for a coil. Come on! this technology has been around for a while

the prices should be going down not up!

I'll get off my soapbox now.

>

> How do people afford to have a hearing loss? My son is 12 and I think

> most of my health insurance will cover his implant. The hearing aides

> are so expensive and insurance covers hardly nothing. It just seems

> like there should be less cost involved...maybe that's just me.

>

[Guest guest]

I dont know what costs are involved in making cochlear implants but

dealing with the FDA adds to that cost. Everything that makes up a CI must

be FDA approved. That means even the coloring that goes into the plastic

housings too.

What would happen if we did not have insurance? And what would happen

if people did not buy hearing aids in protest?

Why are people willing to pay $4 (and it will keep going up) plus a

gallon of gas? What would happen if people stopped driving?

Nothing will happen because we are too dependent. And the companies

know it and take advantage of our unwillingness to demand change.

*---* *---* *---* *---* *---*

We'll never run out of math teachers because they always multiply.

& Dreamer Doll ke7nwn

Newport, Oregon

N24C 8/2000 Hookup

rclark0276@...

http://webpages.charter.net/dog_guide/

[Guest guest]

,

I couldn't agree more!!

Nina

Re: Cost

> Seems to me anything that is made for people with a hearing loss is

> more expensive than something similar for a hearing person. Take those

> alarm clocks that connect to lights or a vibrator that goes under the

> matress, they cost $50 if you add the bed vibrator it's $80 or more.

> You can get a decent alarm clock for hearing people for under $20.

> Computers used to cost a few thousand dollars. As the technology was

> more common you can get a good computer now for $500. My old analog

> hearing aids cost $900 a piece over ten years ago they are more now.

> The technology for those has been around forever. These companies take

> advantage of the fact that we need these things and if we want them we

> have to pay these ridiculous prices. Even Cochlear charges close to

> $300 for a coil. Come on! this technology has been around for a while

> the prices should be going down not up!

>

> I'll get off my soapbox now.

>

>

>

>

>

>>

>> How do people afford to have a hearing loss? My son is 12 and I think

>> most of my health insurance will cover his implant. The hearing aides

>> are so expensive and insurance covers hardly nothing. It just seems

>> like there should be less cost involved...maybe that's just me.

>>

>

>

>

> ------------------------------------

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

But if they lowered the price more people could afford to buy them.

I think if these companies lowered their prices and got the word out.

Many more people would be buying these things. Take the hearing

aids, my boss needs one, he will not get one because it costs too

much. I keep my hearing aids as long as I can (over 10 years now)

since I can't afford the new ones. This stuff is in demand people

just can't afford it.

>

> Hi,

> The cost is high because the demand is low. Anytime you are

making

> something for a small section of the population, the cost is going

to be

> higher. Almost everyone needs an alarm clock, so you can get one

for $5

> and up. Very few people need a vibrating alarm clock, hence the

price.

> Not that businesses are gouging the deaf, but because the market is

> small.

> Supply and demand.

>

>

> this technology has been around for a while

> the prices should be going down not up!

> ____________________________________________________________

> Smart Girls Secret Weapon

> Read Unbiased Beauty Product Reviews, Get Helpful Tips, Tricks and

Sam

>

http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/JKFkuJi7U3x6PvjwWEONDh34Ny

3sTwH0u8y6WaY8yIkHaWA9p6DQ4b/

>

>

[Guest guest]

HEY JILL!!!

I REALLY DON'T KNOW THE COST THAT THE INSURANCE COVERED...I HAD TO PAY MY

$100.00 COPAY EVERY DAY I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL.

I DON'T KNOW THE COST NOW...BUT I WILL FIND OUT FOR YOU.

WHEN YOU HAVE THE SURGERY, YOU WILL GET THE EOB FROM YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY

TOO. THIS WILL TELL YOU THE CHARGE, WHAT THE INSURANCE COVERED..AND WHAT YOU

OWE...IF ANYTHING.

GENTLE HUGS TO ALL,

KATHY G.

**************Get fantasy football with free live scoring. Sign up for

FanHouse Fantasy Football today.

(http://www.fanhouse.com/fantasyaffair?ncid=aolspr00050000000020)

[Guest guest]

HEY JILL!

SOUNDS LIKE A PLAN..SINCE EVERY INSURANCE DIFFERS FROM EACHOTHER. I COMPLE

TELY UNDERSTAND ABOUT DEBT AND BILLS...BELIEVE ME....BOTH ME AND MY HUSBAND'S

STOMACH CHURN WITH FEAR EVERY MONTH TO SEE IF WE CAN PAY ALL THE

BILLS....REGULAR BILLS YOU KNOW THE MORTGAGE, UTILITIES, FOOD, AND OF COURSE ALL

THE

FREAKING MEDICAL BILLS.

AS LONG AS YOU WORK WITH THE HOSPITALS AND ALL THE DRS ...USUALLY THEY WILL

WORK WITH YOU FOR PAYMENT PLANS. I ONLY SEND $10-$20 TO SOME OF MY MEDICAL

BILLS....THEY CAN'T GET BLOOD FROM A STONE....I HAVE NOTHING THEY CAN COME AND

TAKE...SO THEY KNOW THAT THEY WILL GET THEIR MONEY AS I CAN SEND IT. I DO

CALL THEM ON A REGULAR BASIS AND ALWAYS IF I AM GOING TO BE LATE WITH A

PAYMENT....EVEN A SMALL ONE..IT BUILDS TRUST BETWEEN THEM ANDYOU.

I WILL FIND OUT THE COST FOR YOU...I HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN, JILL.

GENTLE HUGS TO ALL,

KATHY G. PA

**************Get fantasy football with free live scoring. Sign up for

FanHouse Fantasy Football today.

(http://www.fanhouse.com/fantasyaffair?ncid=aolspr00050000000020)

[Guest guest]

Hi guys, thanks for the info. I had no idea what the scs costs.  I think I will

call my insurance and find out what they will and will not cover.  Getting

further into debt is something I really, really don't need right now.

Jill ~ Boston

Re: cost

HEY JILL!!!

I REALLY DON'T KNOW THE COST THAT THE INSURANCE COVERED...I HAD TO PAY MY

$100.00 COPAY EVERY DAY I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL.

I DON'T KNOW THE COST NOW...BUT I WILL FIND OUT FOR YOU.

WHEN YOU HAVE THE SURGERY, YOU WILL GET THE EOB FROM YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY

TOO. THIS WILL TELL YOU THE CHARGE, WHAT THE INSURANCE COVERED..AND WHAT YOU

OWE...IF ANYTHING.

GENTLE HUGS TO ALL,

KATHY G.

************ **Get fantasy football with free live scoring. Sign up for

FanHouse Fantasy Football today.

(http://www.fanhouse .com/fantasyaffa ir?ncid=aolspr00 050000000020)

[Guest guest]

>

> Hi Everyone, I was wondering what the cost is for the scs? I know

> that the costs are different for everyone. I just wanted to get a

> general idea of what insurance covered and what was the out of pocket

> cost.

>

> Thanks everyone.

>

> Jill ~ Boston

>

Hi Jill!!!

Hospital Charges were $74,000

Surgeon was $3,500

Stim (Precision+ by Boston Scientific) was $28,000

So, my total cost as $105,500 paid at 100% by my Ins!!!

{{{{Hugs}}}} and Prayers,

Tom

[Guest guest]

My stimulator total cost was $77 thousand that was back in 2001

workers comp paid $77 thousand for total implant mike group owner in

Delaware

>

> Hi guys, thanks for the info. I had no idea what the scs costs.  I

think I will call my insurance and find out what they will and will

not cover.  Getting further into debt is something I really, really

don't need right now.

> Jill ~ Boston

>

>

>

> Re: cost

>

>

> HEY JILL!!!

>

> I REALLY DON'T KNOW THE COST THAT THE INSURANCE COVERED...I HAD TO

PAY MY

> $100.00 COPAY EVERY DAY I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL.

>

> I DON'T KNOW THE COST NOW...BUT I WILL FIND OUT FOR YOU.

>

> WHEN YOU HAVE THE SURGERY, YOU WILL GET THE EOB FROM YOUR INSURANCE

COMPANY

> TOO. THIS WILL TELL YOU THE CHARGE, WHAT THE INSURANCE COVERED..AND

WHAT YOU

> OWE...IF ANYTHING.

>

> GENTLE HUGS TO ALL,

>

> KATHY G.

>

> ************ **Get fantasy football with free live scoring. Sign up

for

> FanHouse Fantasy Football today.

> (http://www.fanhouse .com/fantasyaffa ir?ncid=aolspr00 050000000020)

>

>

[Guest guest]

Looking at the cost the other members posted just answered my

question! I will stay on Meds and keep ongoing.

>

> Hi guys, thanks for the info. I had no idea what the scs costs. I

think I will call my insurance and find out what they will and will not

cover. Getting further into debt is something I really, really don't

need right now.

> Jill ~ Boston

>

>

>

> Re: cost

>

>

> HEY JILL!!!

>

> I REALLY DON'T KNOW THE COST THAT THE INSURANCE COVERED...I HAD TO PAY

MY

> $100.00 COPAY EVERY DAY I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL.

>

> I DON'T KNOW THE COST NOW...BUT I WILL FIND OUT FOR YOU.

>

> WHEN YOU HAVE THE SURGERY, YOU WILL GET THE EOB FROM YOUR INSURANCE

COMPANY

> TOO. THIS WILL TELL YOU THE CHARGE, WHAT THE INSURANCE COVERED..AND

WHAT YOU

> OWE...IF ANYTHING.

>

> GENTLE HUGS TO ALL,

>

> KATHY G.

>

> ************ **Get fantasy football with free live scoring. Sign up

for

> FanHouse Fantasy Football today.

> (http://www.fanhouse .com/fantasyaffa ir?ncid=aolspr00 050000000020)

>

>

[Guest guest]

so pretty much inusrance/ workmans comp has covered the costs of the scs.  Is

there anyone that has had to pay out of pocket monies?

Re: cost

>

>

> HEY JILL!!!

>

> I REALLY DON'T KNOW THE COST THAT THE INSURANCE COVERED...I HAD TO

PAY MY

> $100.00 COPAY EVERY DAY I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL.

>

> I DON'T KNOW THE COST NOW...BUT I WILL FIND OUT FOR YOU.

>

> WHEN YOU HAVE THE SURGERY, YOU WILL GET THE EOB FROM YOUR INSURANCE

COMPANY

> TOO. THIS WILL TELL YOU THE CHARGE, WHAT THE INSURANCE COVERED..AND

WHAT YOU

> OWE...IF ANYTHING.

>

> GENTLE HUGS TO ALL,

>

> KATHY G.

>

> ************ **Get fantasy football with free live scoring. Sign up

for

> FanHouse Fantasy Football today.

> (http://www.fanhouse .com/fantasyaffa ir?ncid=aolspr00 050000000020)

>

>

[Guest guest]

My scs was covered 100% by worker's comp. I never saw the bill.

> From: Jill Clement <clemhoff1111@...>

> Subject: Re: cost

> Stimulator

> Date: Friday, July 25, 2008, 6:15 PM

> Hi guys, thanks for the info. I had no idea what the scs

> costs.  I think I will call my insurance and find out what

> they will and will not cover.  Getting further into debt is

> something I really, really don't need right now.

> Jill ~ Boston

>

>

>

> Re: cost

>

>

> HEY JILL!!!

>

> I REALLY DON'T KNOW THE COST THAT THE INSURANCE

> COVERED...I HAD TO PAY MY

> $100.00 COPAY EVERY DAY I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL.

>

> I DON'T KNOW THE COST NOW...BUT I WILL FIND OUT FOR

> YOU.

>

> WHEN YOU HAVE THE SURGERY, YOU WILL GET THE EOB FROM YOUR

> INSURANCE COMPANY

> TOO. THIS WILL TELL YOU THE CHARGE, WHAT THE INSURANCE

> COVERED..AND WHAT YOU

> OWE...IF ANYTHING.

>

> GENTLE HUGS TO ALL,

>

> KATHY G.

>

> ************ **Get fantasy football with free live scoring.

> Sign up for

> FanHouse Fantasy Football today.

> (http://www.fanhouse .com/fantasyaffa ir?ncid=aolspr00

> 050000000020)

>

>