If you live in Calhoun County and are thinking about changing your coverage during Open Enrollment this year to make sure you can get glasses or hearing aids covered, there’s something you need to know!
Currently, seniors are being targeted by advertisements for Medicare Advantage that promote hearing and vision benefits. What the ads don’t tell you is that these plans often come with high out-of-pocket costs. The plans will often pay for exams but not glasses, or offer a limited credit toward hearing aids, which can cost $6,000 per ear!
Before you change your plan to meet your hearing and vision needs, check if you qualify for CareWell Services’ CareWell and SeeWell programs! These programs provide exams, glasses, and hearing aids free of charge to eligible adults over the age of 60 in Calhoun County. The programs are made possible by funding from the Calhoun County Senior Millage.
To qualify, applicants must reside in Calhoun County, be age 60 or older, and have a monthly income of less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level ($2,660 monthly income for a single person household, $3606.67 for a two-person household). Because the millage programs do not look at assets as an eligibility factor, applicants simply need to bring identification to prove their age and residency, along with proof of income, such as a Social Security letter, pension letter, paystubs, or bank statements.
SeeWell applicants will be given a payment voucher to use at EyeMart Express. Applicants need to call EyeMart to set their exam and fitting appointment within 30 days of receiving the voucher. HearWell applicants will be referred to Battle Creek Hearing, and will be called to set their exam appointment.
While hearing aid coverage is officially permitted once every 10 years, exceptions are frequently approved after 5 years if a participant has issues, due to rapid advancements in technology.
If you or a loved one are struggling with hearing or vision loss, please contact CareWell Services at (269) 966-2450 to see if you qualify for the HearWell and SeeWell programs.