Question
Please describe extended warranty programs for hearing aids?
Answer
When a hearing aid is purchased, most manufacturers include a comprehensive one-year warranty. That warranty includes coverage against loss, accidental damage and repairs due to electrical or mechanical failure. Once the manufacturer's warranty expires, patients usually turn to their hearing healthcare professional for assistance. There are many options to extend warranty coverage, such as purchasing coverage through their homeowner insurance policy, the manufacturer, or third party insurers.
The majority of homeowner's insurance policies do not cover hearing devices, so it is strongly advised that your patient check their policy before assuming their hearing aids are covered. Many homeowner's policies allow a special ''rider'' to be purchased for hearing aids, however, claims against loss can count against the entire policy, increasing the chance of the entire policy being cancelled!
ESCO acts in the role of the third party insurer. We offer two types of coverage options. The first option is accidental loss and damage coverage, called the Protection Plus Plan. The second option, called the Platinum Plan, includes coverage for loss, accidental damage, and normal wear and tear repairs due to electrical or mechanical failure.
Each patient/consumer is different, as are their needs. Therefore, we recommend presenting and reviewing extended warranty options with every patient to determine the best alternative for that individual, and we recommend placing a note in the patient's chart noting that an extended warranty program was offered to them.
Charles Stone Au.D. Founder and CEO of ESCO. Dr. Stone has been an audiologist for more than 25 years. Dr. Stone can be contacted directly at ESCO, 3215 Fernbrook Lane North, Plymouth, Minnesota 55447-5325, or dial 1-800-992-3726, or email to cstone@earserv.com. To read the Audiology Online INTERVIEW with Dr Stone, please see:
Stone, C. (2003, April 28). Interview with Charles Stone Extended Hearing Aid Warranty, Financing, and Leasing Programs, ESCO. Audiology Online, Interview 185. Available via the Interviews Archive on https://www.audiologyonline.com
Click here to visit the Ear Service Corporation (ESCO) website.
