At Heroes of Hearing, we’ve always been committed to one thing: providing the highest level of personalized care to our patients. Recently, we made the decision to step away from certain insurance networks, including Amplifon & United Healthcare. While we know this may raise some questions, we believe it’s the best choice for both our clinic and, more importantly, for you. Let’s dive into why we made this decision and how it ultimately benefits your hearing health.


The Problem with Insurance Networks

We all know how insurance can be frustrating. Whether it’s health coverage, car insurance, or even dental plans, insurance companies often place limits on your choices, restrict how much time you get with professionals, and focus more on cutting costs than delivering high-quality solutions. And the reality is even harsher when it comes to hearing care.

Here’s how it works when insurance companies get involved in hearing aids:


Limited Choices, Reduced Quality

Imagine walking into a car dealership and being told you can only choose between a few basic models—none of which truly fit your needs or preferences. You need something reliable for long road trips, but all they offer are smaller cars with minimal features. Now imagine that the dealership is only offering those options because an outside party—your insurance company—has dictated which cars they can sell and at what price. It’s frustrating, right? You’d leave feeling like your personal needs weren’t valued.

This is the reality for many patients navigating the insurance landscape for hearing aids. Insurance companies restrict which hearing aids are covered, often limiting you to outdated or lower-quality models. They don't necessarily select devices based on what’s best for your hearing health but on what’s most profitable for them. Insurance companies often restrict your options to what’s cheapest for them, not what’s best for you. Imagine having a hearing aid that doesn’t match your lifestyle—perhaps it's not powerful enough for challenging listening environments or lacks the advanced features you need for everyday comfort and clarity. Just like with cars, hearing aids aren't one-size-fits-all.


Service Squeezed by Profit Margins

Then there’s the issue of service. When insurance companies are involved, they often force clinics like ours to limit appointment times to squeeze in more patients. Think about it: if your hearing aids need adjustments or repairs, do you want to be rushed through an appointment because insurance only allows for 5 minutes of care? Of course not! Proper hearing care takes time, and that’s something we believe you deserve.


Where’s All the Money Going?

Here’s where it gets even more frustrating: insurance companies are making record-breaking profits—at the expense of patients and providers.

​In 2023 alone, insurance companies like UnitedHealthcare and Anthem (both involved in hearing care) raked in billions in profits. In fact, in just the first half of 2023, UnitedHealthcare reported a staggering $13.4 billion in profit, and Anthem came in with nearly $6 billion. These numbers are astronomical—and they’re not going into patient care.

At Hearing, Warren Blasts UnitedHealth CEO for Monopolistic Practices that Raise Prices, Stomp Out Competition, and Harm Patients

Humana reported strong financial performance for 2023, with revenues totaling $106.4 billion, a significant increase from $92.9 billion in 2022. This represents adjusted pre-tax earnings of approximately $4.37 billion​

Similarly, Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) is a major player in the health insurance industry, with around 119 million members and significant revenue. In 2023, their revenue exceeded $18 billion. However, BCBS and other insurance giants such as Humana have seen fluctuating profit margins. For BCBS specifically, profits declined from 6.1% in 2020 to 3.0% in 2022 but have stabilized at around 3.5% in 2023​. Despite these dips, BCBS continues to generate billions in profits annually.


How Are They Making These Profits?

The profits insurance companies generate don’t just come from thin air. They come from you—the patient—and from us—the providers. Let’s break it down:


1. Cutting Corners on Patient Care
Insurance companies limit the types of hearing aids they cover, often pushing cheaper, lower-quality devices. That means you might be stuck with a hearing aid that doesn’t fit your needs or lifestyle. Worse, these lower-quality devices often break down sooner, requiring costly repairs or replacements over time, which can leave you frustrated and spending more money out of pocket.


2. Squeezing Providers
On our side, insurance networks offer low reimbursement rates, sometimes not even covering the cost of the devices or the time we spend fitting, adjusting, and maintaining your hearing aids. Clinics are forced to take shortcuts or see more patients in less time just to make ends meet. And if they can’t keep up with the insurance company’s demands, they’re left facing unsustainable business models that lead to burnout and closure. In fact, in the last three months alone, three hearing practices in our area have gone out of business—all because they were relying on an insurance model that just doesn’t work. This isn't a coincidence—it's a direct result of the insurance-driven model, which prioritizes cost-cutting over patient care. When insurance companies are more focused on their bottom line than on helping patients hear better, everyone suffers.

The harsh reality is that when you go through insurance, the services you’re receiving aren’t being properly reimbursed. So, where does the rest of the money go? To the insurance companies themselves—enabling them to post record profits while patients and providers alike are shortchanged. This creates a system where healthcare quality diminishes over time.


Why We Can’t Be Part of This Sham

We’ve chosen to leave insurance networks because we can’t, in good conscience, participate in a system that’s ripping off both patients and providers. The insurance industry is designed to make huge profits, and they’re doing it by:

- Charging you premiums and then limiting your care.

- Paying us pennies on the dollar for the services we provide.

- Pushing substandard devices that don’t deliver the hearing solutions you need.

It’s a system that doesn’t prioritize your health—and we believe you deserve better. At Heroes of Hearing, we’re committed to offering you personalized, high-quality care, and that’s simply not possible within the restrictive insurance model.


What Does This Mean for You as a Patient?

While it might seem like losing insurance coverage is a downside, the reality is that opting out of insurance networks actually improves your care and your overall experience. Here’s how:

1. You Get the Freedom to Choose

Rather than being restricted to the hearing aids covered by your insurance provider, we can provide you with an extensive selection of the latest options customized to your specific needs. Whether you need the latest in cutting-edge technology or a budget-friendly option, we’ll find the best solution for you—not the cheapest one for the insurance company.

2. Better Service and Follow-Up Care

By leaving the insurance networks, we’re able to spend more time with you. No more rushed appointments or quick fixes. Whether it’s your first fitting, routine maintenance, or troubleshooting, we’ll make sure your hearing aids work perfectly for you. Proper servicing is essential for keeping your hearing aids functioning their best—and now we can focus on that without being hamstrung by insurance limitations.

3. Long-Term Value

You might think insurance saves you money upfront, but in reality, cheaper devices and limited follow-up care often lead to higher costs down the road. Poorly fitted or lower-quality hearing aids tend to break down more often and may need frequent replacements. With our more flexible, personalized approach, you’re investing in hearing aids that are built to last and will provide you with greater value over time.

4. Flexible Payment Options

We understand that hearing aids are an investment, and we’re here to work with you. That’s why we offer flexible payment plans and financing options that make top-tier hearing care more accessible—without the limitations of insurance. We’ll help you find a solution that fits your budget while ensuring you get the best quality care and devices.


The Importance of Servicing

Let’s think about your hearing aids like any other piece of technology, whether it’s a car or a smartphone. Regular maintenance and servicing keep them running smoothly and prevent bigger problems down the line. If you don’t change the oil in your car, eventually the engine will break down. The same goes for hearing aids—without proper cleaning, adjustments, and care, they won’t perform at their best, and you’ll end up with more headaches (and costs) down the road.

Insurance companies often overlook this crucial aspect of hearing health because it doesn’t fit into their profit-driven model. At Heroes of Hearing, we believe that servicing is just as important as the hearing aids themselves, which is why we’re committed to providing the time and attention you need to keep your devices working optimally.


What’s Next? Why Supporting Local Matters

We know this change might seem like a big shift, but it’s one that ensures you’ll receive better care, more choices, and long-term value. We’re here to guide you through this process and answer any questions you may have about your hearing care options, financing, and more.

By supporting Heroes of Hearing, you’re not just choosing better care for yourself—you’re also supporting a local, family-run business. Unlike big-box stores or massive corporations that prioritize profit over patients, we’re deeply rooted in the community, and we care about building relationships with each individual who comes to us. We live here, we work here, and we’re dedicated to improving the lives of our neighbors.

When you choose to support a locally owned business like ours, you help boost the local economy, create jobs, and keep money circulating within the community rather than sending it off to big insurance companies or out-of-state corporations. You’re helping to sustain businesses that care about the well-being of their patients, rather than supporting a model that treats patients as numbers in a profit margin. In short, by going insurance-free, we can offer better service, more thorough follow-up care, and long-term support, while also contributing to a healthier, stronger local economy.


We’ve made this decision because we believe in honest, ethical, and patient-focused care. We’re stepping away from a system that prioritizes profits over people, and we’re excited to continue serving you in a way that puts your hearing health and our community first.

Sincerely,

The Heroes of Hearing Team


SUMMARY

Heroes of Hearing will no longer be in-network with United Healthcare as of February 28, 2025. If you plan to use your benefits, please ensure all processing is completed before this date. 

After we leave the United Healthcare network, you will receive a letter directing you to another office. We can still see you at our office for servicing and follow-up care. Please note that you would still need to pay for these services at another office, as United Healthcare does not cover follow-up cleanings or annual appointments.

Heroes of Hearing: New All-Inclusive Concierge Care Model

Heroes of Hearing is transitioning to an all-inclusive concierge care model to provide the highest quality, patient-centered service. This means we will no longer be in-network with insurance companies or process insurance claims. Instead, patients will pay directly for services, and we’ll provide patients the necessary codes to submit claims to their insurance for potential reimbursement.

This change allows us to focus solely on the patient’s needs, including follow-up care to ensure hearing aids are functioning properly and addressing cognitive health—services often overlooked by insurance. Patients can still use Health Savings Accounts (HSA) or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) at our office, including medical cards with Visa or Mastercard symbols.

Our goal is to eliminate the barriers of insurance bureaucracy, so we can work directly with you to improve your hearing and overall quality of life. Thanks for your understanding.
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