Sound matters to everyone with a hearing loss but is critical to children who are in their formative years of speech and language development. Children need early stimulation of the inner ear (cochlea) for development of neural connections within the auditory cortex. Oticon Medical’s Ponto Loaner Program is designed to ensure these children receive premium hearing care as soon as possible, while patiently waiting for third-party insurance approval. This month’s blog focuses on increasing awareness of this program and reviewing the enhancements that have been implemented.
Children ages 0-18 years of age who are candidates for a bone conduction hearing device are eligible for the Ponto Loaner Program at no cost to the families or clinic. Navigating the third-–party reimbursement process for families of children with hearing loss can take several months. Our goal is to ensure that children requiring immediate hearing assistance have access to the technology needed for speech and language development while insurance reimbursement is secured.
The Ponto Loaner Program is an easily accessible and simple process for families to complete
We understand that families can feel overwhelmed as they begin the journey to better hearing for their child. We also know that hearing clinics have limited time and resources to spend on third-party insurance negotiations. This is where the services we provide at Oticon Medical can provide much needed support! Our Insurance Support Department has specialists available to guide families through the third-party reimbursement process and alleviate the burden placed on clinics.
So how does this program work?
The Ponto Loaner Program is an easy process to complete by either the parent(s) or clinic. The length of the loan period is three months from the date of shipment. During this three-month loan period we work with the family to secure reimbursement from their insurance provider for the Ponto sound processor and accessories. Making it easier on clinics, we empower families to take the lead with this program and hold ultimate responsibility for final payment of the product.
Components of the Ponto Loaner Program consist of a one-page order form from which the type and color of the sound processor(s) is selected as well as the color of the softband and additional accessories. The completed Ponto Loaner form can be emailed, faxed, or mailed to our Insurance Support Department for processing. Upon receipt and verification, we ship a new Ponto sound processor(s) with accessories to either the clinic or family depending on what was specified on the order form. The processor and accessories are exclusive to that child and cannot be transferred to another child.
Additional Ponto Loaner Program features include access to repair services and one-time loss and damage coverage should the family need it during the loaner period. Pediatric-friendly components to ensure product safety are also provided to the family. Once third-party reimbursement has been secured, the loaner program ends with the option to keep the sound processor and accessories already dispensed or to return them for a different color and/or style of sound processor. All program services are provided for free to our families and clinics.
What are the benefits of this program?
The program’s benefits to the child and their family include immediate access to advanced hearing technology, guidance, and support from our dedicated Insurance Support Department to secure third-party reimbursement and a lifelong service and technology commitment from Oticon Medical!
The advantages of the Ponto Loaner Program for the clinician include instant support for any child up to 18 years of age who is a candidate for a bone conduction hearing device, a simple streamlined process to obtain premium technology for the patient, and ongoing assistance to the clinic with their reimbursement needs.
To learn more about this program and begin benefiting from its features please contact your regional clinical specialist.
About the Author
Carissa Moeggenberg is an audiologist who has worked in the hearing healthcare field for the past 29 years. She is presently the Training Manager for Oticon Medical.
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