Preserving Your Eyesight and Hearing*
Posted on March 20, 2017
Eye health and vision changes
As we get older, our vision goes through several changes even if we’ve had good eyesight all along. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, adults over age 60 have normal vision developments that include delays in adjusting focus when moving from light to dark areas and vice-versa; difficulty seeing when driving at night or in the rain; and loss of contrast sensitivity.
It is important to get a routine eye exam on a yearly basis to ensure that any changes in vision are normal and aren’t related to an eye disease or other medical issue. This is especially key if you have diabetes or a family history of eye disease. If you experience a sudden vision change, immediately notify your primary care provider (PCP) or your eye doctor.
In addition to routine eye exams, there are other simple things you can do to help maintain your eye health and preserve your vision:
- Wear UV blocking sunglasses – they can delay the development of cataracts and can prevent retinal damage.
- Take frequent breaks from the computer or when doing close work to avoid eye strain.
- Don’t smoke – smoking has been linked to age-related macular degeneration and an increased risk for cataracts.
- Be sure to take blood pressure and diabetes medications as prescribed – uncontrolled blood pressure and diabetes can make vision worse.
- Wear eyeglasses as directed and wear eye-protection to prevent injury during certain sports or other potentially harmful activities, like home repairs.
(Source: aao.org)
Keep in mind that as a Health New England Medicare Advantage plan member, you are covered for one supplemental routine vision exam per calendar year at no cost to you. The cost of refraction testing (an exam that measures how well you can see at specific distances) is also covered. You can obtain this service from in-network providers and they will bill Health New England for the service.
Hearing and hearing loss
If you have good hearing, the most important thing you can do is preserve it. Protect your hearing by avoiding loud sounds and wearing noise-reducing earplugs whenever you’re around loud noises. If your hearing is muffled, or you notice a sudden change in your hearing, get an exam.
Health New England Medicare Advantage covers one supplemental routine hearing exam per calendar year with a copayment. You can obtain this service from in-network providers and they will bill Health New England for the service.
To summarize the anatomy of hearing loss: as we age, the tiny nerve receptors in the inner ear no longer pick up sound vibrations as well as they used to. These receptors can also be damaged by loud noise over time, resulting in hearing loss.
Hearing loss affects nearly 48 million Americans to some degree. And, we know that hearing loss can have an adverse effect on all aspects of life—from putting a strain on relationships to increasing the risk for developing dementia and depression. However, hearing aids have proven extremely effective at improving the lives of people with hearing loss.
TruHearing: Your Hearing Aid Benefit
As of January 1, 2017, you now have access to the TruHearing Select program through your Health New England Medicare Advantage plan. This benefit covers up to two Flyte hearing aids per year for a low copayment of $699 (per aid) for an advanced-level hearing aid or $999 (per aid) for a premium-level hearing aid.† (On the retail market, hearing aids cost an average of $2,000–3,000 per aid.)
Your hearing aid coverage also includes:
- Initial hearing exam with a TruHearing provider†
- 3 follow-up visits with the provider for fitting and adjustments
- 45-day trial
- 3-year manufacturer’s warranty for repairs and one-time loss and damage replacement
- 48 batteries per hearing aid
Begin by scheduling a hearing exam with a provider in your area by calling TruHearing at (844) 319-7458 or TTY at (800) 975-2674.
If you struggle with hearing loss, we hope you’ll take advantage of this benefit. Now is the time to address your hearing loss and benefit from the higher quality of life that affordable hearing aids offer.
†You must see a TruHearing provider to use this benefit. Other providers are available in our network. Please note, hearing aids purchased through other providers are not covered.
*Health New England Medicare Advantage is an HMO Plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Health New England Medicare Advantage depends on contract renewal. This information is not a complete description of benefits. Contact the plan for more information. Limitations, copayments and restrictions may apply. Benefits, premiums and/or copayments/coinsurance may change on January 1 of each year.
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