Announcing 2018 coverage changes to MPSERS members’ hearing, vision services

Effective Jan. 1, 2018, the hearing and vision benefits for Michigan Public School Employees’ Retirement System members will no longer be administered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Details about these changes are listed below.

MPSERS hearing services
Starting Jan. 1, 2018, Blue Cross will provide routine hearing care benefits and hearing aids for MPSERS members exclusively through TruHearing, an independent company that provides hearing services. TruHearing doesn’t provide Blue Cross-branded products or services. But our arrangement allows them to work with us to administer the MPSERS hearing care and hearing aids benefit.

We’ve let all MPSERS members know about this benefit change through our various member communications. Our members won’t receive a new ID card from TruHearing. An ID card isn’t necessary, because TruHearing will coordinate services directly between the member and provider.

Benefit highlights
MPSERS members can have:

• An audiometric hearing exam once every 36 months with a $45 copay
• Three provider visits
• Up to two TruHearing Flyte 770 hearing aids ($499 copayment per aid) or Flyte 990 hearing aids ($799 copay per aid) every 36 months
• A 45-day trial with the purchase of each Flyte hearing aid
• A three-year manufacturer warranty
• 48 batteries per aid

Tips for providers

• Routine hearing services and hearing aids are only covered for MPSERS members when they call TruHearing at 1-855-205-6305 and follow the directions provided.
• Give MPSERS members the opportunity for a trial with Flyte to give the members the best opportunity to use the benefit.
• Ask members who decide to waive their hearing benefit (whether it’s their preference or a medical necessity) to complete a TruHearing Select Non-covered Services form.
• Providers will need to submit these forms directly to TruHearing.
• Members who waive their benefits can then use the TruHearing Choice discount program, which includes 100-plus hearing aid models from five manufacturers at prices ranging from $695 to $2,250.
• Collect member hearing exam copayments through the TruHearing provider portal, Echo.
• TruHearing will remit the allowable amount for the exam to providers approximately 10 days after the exam copay has been collected in Echo.
• Collect full TruHearing Flyte hearing aid copayments through Echo.
• TruHearing will remit the professional fee to providers after the member’s 45-day trial period.
• Providers can get more details about Flyte hearing aids at TruHearing.com/flyte,** which offers providers Flyte spec sheets, a fitting guide, a reference guide and other information about the Flyte product line. There are also training courses available to providers on Audiology online (audiologyonline.com**).
• In December 2017, the Flyte website will be updated with the new Flyte 770/990 information.
• For more information about training or tools needed to ensure successful Flyte fittings or partnering with TruHearing, providers should contact TruHearing Provider Outreach at 1-855-286-0550 or Provider.outreach@truhearing.com.
• Financing is available for MPSERS members through AllWell Financing, if interested.

MPSERS vision services
Starting Jan. 1, 2018, Medicare Advantage and commercial retirees with MPSERS coverage will transition from Blue Cross’ Blue Vision^SM plan to EyeMed Vision Care.

In December 2017, EyeMed will mail members a separate welcome kit detailing their 2018 vision benefits. The kit will also include the member’s new EyeMed vision ID card. Retirees who share a vision policy with a dependent or spouse will receive two identical ID cards with the retiree’s name on it.

Providers should continue to contact Blue Vision at 1-800-877-7195 if they have any questions about dates of service between Jan. 1, 2014, and Dec. 31, 2017. If providers have questions about dates of service beginning Jan. 1, 2018, they should contact EyeMed at 1-888-581-3648.

**Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan doesn’t own or control this website.