Question
Is there a national/state/local listing service where one can check all potential insurance providers that cover hearing/vestibular services in an attempt to make sure that they are on every provider list possible?
Answer
Unfortunately, there is no such listing service.
In your "attempt to make sure you are on every provider list possible" you may want to consider the following steps. First, you want to determine which insurance carriers your referral sources accept (and thus refer patients to you with) and what insurance carriers service the major employers in your area. Next, want to contact those insurance carriers (most of this can be done via their websites) to determine if they are accepting new providers in your area or to request an application. Please note that most application processes take between three to six months to complete. Finally, you want to weigh the pros and cons of each insurance contract independently (before you sign on) as you may or may not want to be on "every provider list possible". You want to look at things such as payment rates, hearing aid coverage amounts, etc. Not all insurance plans are beneficial to a practice. Either the reimbursement is too poor, the blend of good reimbursement to poor reimbursement is not positive, or the administration of the plan is too difficult for your office to manage. Also, you will need processes in place to manage these plans.
Kim Cavitt, AuD has been an audiologist for 15 years. She is currently the owner of her own audiology consulting firm, Audiology Resources, Inc. Audiology Resources, Inc. provides comprehensive operations and reimbursement consulting services to hearing healthcare clinics, providers and manufacturers. She resides in Chicago, Illinois.
