For many, the pandemic has made visiting a healthcare practitioner a complicated proposition. In some locations, COVID-19-related lock-down restrictions have caused practitioners to postpone in-person appointments in favor of telehealth or remote-care sessions.

Hearing care professionals (HCPs), in particular, must also contend with many of their patients falling into the “high-risk” category for COVID-19, and have implemented new rules on how they schedule appointments and pre-screen for illness. Some patients may be hesitant to visit the office in person, and HCPs can tailor their care to offering remote fittings, curbside delivery of hearing aids, and even hearing screening/evaluations. Given the uncertainty of this new reality, it is critical for providers to be able to customize a hearing care treatment plan—as well as its associated costs—to meet the unique needs of an existing or potential client.

Affordability and accessibility have been huge issues in hearing healthcare during at least the past 5 years. Hearing aids are rarely covered by insurance, and the required out-of-pocket costs can be daunting for the average person, particularly for those on fixed incomes. One alternative to a large, upfront expenditure is a hearing aid financing plan that allows a consumer to pay a monthly fee to obtain devices and optional auxillary devices/services. Whatever your fiscal needs may be, a company like Ally Financial can help ease the financial burden associated with obtaining care, by offering set, monthly payments that can be budgeted in with other expenses.  

After a patient has been evaluated by an HCP and provided with a treatment plan, the “sticker shock” of associated costs can be an obstacle to appropriate hearing care. As an alternative to a one-time expense, patients can quickly and confidentially check whether they pre-qualify for a loan via an emailed link. Once approved, payments can be structured on a 36- or 48-month basis, depending on personalized budgetary needs, and provide an alternative to dipping into savings or credit lines.   

In addition to offering flexible payment structures, Ally prides itself on extending a personalized level of service for its clients, and its dedicated team of care representatives are available to answer questions throughout the financing process.

Healthcare providers are increasingly urging people not to delay preventative and other necessary care because of the pandemic—and hearing care is no exception. In these uncertain times, it’s comforting to know that cost should never be an obstacle to prioritizing your health and well-being. To learn more, visit: https://www.ally.com/consumer-financing/healthcare/