Resources
Hearing Aid Coverage (Amended on 3/30/2022)
In January 2022 Penn added a hearing aid benefit to all our retiree medical plans (both pre and post 65). The benefit provides up to $4,000 per participant to be covered as medically necessary, but not more than every three years. This benefit applies to retirees and their dependents, including children covered under the plan.
How To Access the Benefit
For question or assistance with accessing the benefit contact the Benefit Solution Center at Health Advocate @ 866-799-2329.
If You Have PennCare /Personal Choice, Keystone HMO, or IBC Medigap Premium and Standard Plans
Faculty and staff enrolled in one of these plans can be reimbursed for hearing aid costs by submitting claims directly to Independence Blue Cross (IBC). IBC will reimburse members directly up to the $4000 maximum once the paid claim is processed. Full, upfront payments are required at this time because there are no participating in-network hearing aid providers for these IBC-affiliated plans except Penn Medicine’s Hearing Aid Program which will bill any amount in excess of the $4000 benefit at the time of service.
To be reimbursed under these plans, you must get a form from Highmark, Blue Shield (800-344-7900) or from the Benefits Solution Center, staffed by Health Advocate (866-799-2329). Please specify that you need the Highmark Major Medical Claim form. The form is also available on the PASEF website under University and Retirement Benefits/Highmark Blue Shield Claim Form (can be used for the Hearing Aid Benefit).
If You Have an Aetna Plan
Aetna in-network providers can be found on Aetna Navigator or by contacting the Benefit Solution Center at 866-799-2329.
If You Have Penn Aetna Choice POS II Plan
If you use an Aetna participating provider, you will only be responsible for your co-insurance payment and your provider will submit the claim to Aetna. If you choose a non-participating provider, you will need to pay the full cost of your hearing aid upfront and then submit your claims directly to Aetna for reimbursement.
Other Universities’ Emeritus Organizations
- Association of Retirement Organizations in Higher Education (AROHE)
- Big Ten Retirees Association
- Arizona State University
- California State University
- Clemson University
- Columbia University
- Cornell University
- Emory University
- Georgetown University
- Johns Hopkins University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- North Carolina State University
- Northwestern University
- Oregon State University
- Rutgers University
- San Diego State University
- State University of New York (SUNY) Stony Brook
- University of California, Berkeley
- University of California, Davis
- University of California, San Diego
- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
- University of Colorado
- University of Iowa
- University of Massachusetts
- University of Michigan
- University of Missouri
- University of New Mexico
- University of Southern California (USC)
- University of Texas at Dallas
- University of Washington
- Yale University