financial forum
Hearing Aid Help
Military retirees in need of hearing aids might consider DoD’s Retiree At-Cost Hearing Aid Program to lessen the cost.
By Lt. Col. Shane Ostrom, USAF (Ret), CFP®
Hearing aids can be very expensive. Where can a military retiree turn for help? For many, the VA is not an option because of VA eligibility requirements. TRICARE does not cover hearing aids for military retirees. Medicare does not cover hearing exams or hearing aids for routine reasons; Medicare only covers hearing exams and aids if you have a doctor’s order due to a medical problem. The DoD-sponsored Retiree At-Cost Hearing Aid Program (RACHAP) might be an answer for some. However, there are challenges with the program.
The program is open to all uniformed services retirees — including retired National Guard and Reserve members — under certain conditions. You have to call the audiology facility to determine the certain conditions if you are a U.S. Public Health Service or NOAA member. The RACHAP does not provide services to family members of military retirees.
The available hearing aids are leading-edge technology — the same offered to active duty servicemembers. The RACHAP provides these hearing aids at greatly reduced prices. You do have to pay for the hearing aids. However, hearing aids that typically cost thousands of dollars might be available for hundreds of dollars — a fraction of the retail cost — or at the very least, a significant savings. Retirees typically are not charged for their hearing exam, the fitting and programming of hearing aids, or follow-up visits.
The RACHAP is offered at military audiology clinics in select locations. There are only 12 participating locations in the lower 48 states and 16 outside the lower 48 states and overseas. You can find all of the locations and their contact information at
www.militaryaudiology.org/site/rachaprhapp-locations. Your service and the service of the facility do not matter.
Because the locations that offer the RACHAP might not be close to your home, appointments are necessary. You also might have to stay in the location of the participating RACHAP facility for a few days to complete your appointments, or you might have to make two trips. You are responsible for your transportation and lodging, so make sure to weigh all costs involved with the RACHAP (to include possible follow-up visits) against purchasing hearing aids in your community.
The purchase of hearing aids and the cost of travel and lodging can be tax-deductible if you meet IRS requirements. Talk to your tax specialist about the tax deduction for medical expenses and whether you qualify.
MO
— Lt. Col. Shane Ostrom, USAF (Ret), is a CFP® and benefits information expert at MOAA. To speak with a financial planner, contact USAA at (877) 913-6622 or
www.usaa.com/moaa. Visit
www.moaa.org/financialcenter for other resources. Email specific benefit and finance inquiries to
beninfo@moaa.org.
RACHAP Disclaimer
RACHAP costs, locations, and services are subject to change. Contact your nearest audiology clinic for details. Keep in mind, care of active duty servicemembers takes priority at military treatment facilities.
54 MILITARY OFFICER JANUARY 2014
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