As an audiologist, we are always looking at ways to provide help to patients with hearing loss in a more affordable manner. There is now legislation that I'd like all my friends to consider supporting. Please consider clicking on this link and enter your information. It will generate a letter to your politician encouraging them to support a hearing aid tax credit. All you need to do is follow the directions and slightly edit the letter to be appropriate from a non audiologist.
http://18x18.org/congressional-connect
You will notice that when you follow this link there are 3 letters that you can generate:
1. Tax credit letter to Senate
2. Tax credit letter to House of Representatives
3. Letter supporting direct access to audiology care. This initiative gives audiologists the same standing as an optometrist in the eyes of insurance. The end result would be a signficant money savings in health care costs. Why? Because currently Medicare requries a referral for patients to see an audiologist. Requiring multiple visits in order to obtain a hearing tests dramatically increases the cost of healthcare. Medicare does not currently require a referral to obtain a vision test or a dental exam. It would be logical that patients should be allowed to also see an Audiologist without a referral.
Please consider supporting these important issues.
Dr. Scott Marquardt
Audiologist
