1. Statewide Hearing Aid Assistance & Reuse Program (SHARP) Jimmy Brown KATS Network 02/25/2015 1

2. Who helps to fund hearing aids? (in Kentucky) Senate Bill 152 (2002) – requires insurance providers to cover hearing aids and related services up to $1,400/ear every 36 mos up to age 18 KY Commission for Children w/ Special Health Care Needs (CCSHCN) – Audiology services up to 21yo Medicaid – pays for hearing aids up to age 21. Also covered under Supports for Community Living (SCL) and Consumer Directed Option (CDO). 2

3. Who helps to fund hearing aids? Vocational Rehabilitation – Hearing Aids and related services for those seeking or maintaining employment KY AT Loan Corporation – AFP program, provides low interest (4.5%) loans for purchase of AT. (Hearing aids typically 3 yr loans). Lexington Lions Club Hearing Aid Distribution Program – Residents of Fayette County, KY – Shares cost of Hear Now application or purchase one (1) new hearing aid. 3

4. Lexington Lions Club Hearing Aid Distribution Program Funded at $12,000/yr by Lexington Lions Club Partnered with a single local Audiologist Shares cost of Hear Now application fee (currently $125/hearing aid) with applicant, OR Purchase one (1) new hearing aid per individual. Currently works with 30-40 individuals/yr Collects used hearing aids, which are sent to Starkey All Make Repair Program for cash credit. 4

5. Hear Now Application based Charitable program – Starkey Hearing Foundation Program of Last Resort Provides BTE and RIC hearing aids Hearing Health Professional (HHP) waives fees for fitting and follow-up for first year, can charge for initial evaluation Funds 8-9,000 applicants per year (capacity to serve 20-25k/yr) Refundable application fee ($125/HA) MSRP – approx $5,000/HA 5

6. SHARP Using the Lexington Lions program as a Model, SHARP will: 1.Collect used hearing aids statewide 2.Provide Information & Referral services to help identify potential funding sources, locate peer counseling, other related AT needs, etc. 3.Provide financial assistance to Hear Now applicants, and 4.Reconditioned hearing aids through Starkey All Make Repair Program. 6

7. SHARP Statewide HA workgroup – KATS Network, OVR, Office for the Blind, Commission for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing, KY School for the Deaf, Hearing Loss Association, Lexington Lions Club, HHP’s, Individuals w/ Hearing Loss Expect to be fully operational by early-mid March 7

8. Collecting Used Hearing Aids Used HA’s sent directly to KATS coordinating center KATS can provide SASE (padded) to send in HA’s – or can be dropped off at any VR office, IL center, or KATS regional office. HA’s only – no batteries, cases, manuals, brushes, etc. All makes, all models, any condition Donation receipt provided upon request 8

9. Collecting Used Hearing Aids KATS/SHARP has account set up with Starkey HA’s sent to Starkey for their All Make Repair Program KATS/SHARP receives a cash credit for donated HA’s – 183 HA’s sent in – received $2,247 credit – Cash credit can be used to supplement SHARP program/reconditioned hearing aids. 9

10. Collecting Used Hearing Aids 10

11. Information & Referral Help individuals identify existing funding sources – SHARP not to replace existing programs Locate peer counseling services Provide literature – “Tips for new hearing aid users”, “What to ask your Hearing Health Professional”, etc. Identify related AT – ex: Telecommunications Access Program (TAP), iCanConnect, etc. Report federally as part of standard I&R services 11

12. Financial Assistance w/ Hear Now SHARP will pay application fee for Hear Now applicants in KY – receive monthly invoice from Hear Now. Helps identify/locate HHP who will work with Hear Now (HHP’s not obligated to serve set number of applicants; SHARP will not refer to HHP w/o their permission) HHP or applicant can contact SHARP to receive authorization code to submit with application. 12

13. Financial Assistance w/ Hear Now Report federally as State Financing (last resort) Activity that provides consumers with resources and services that result in the acquisition of AT devices and Services – County of Residence (RUCC) – Type and Dollar Amount of AT funded – Anecdote – Performance Measure – Customer Satisfaction As of 2/9/2015 – SHARP has assisted four (4) Hear Now applicants 13

14. Reconditioned Hearing Aids HA’s reconditioned by Starkey All Make Repair Program SHARP provides $250 to Starkey per reuse activity – can utilize cash credit received from donated HA’s Must be prescribed/authorized by HHP SHARP places order for reconditioned HA’s (at HHP’s specs) – delivered to HHP HHP can select from current inventory of reconditioned HA’s available through Starkey All Make Repair Program 14

15. Reconditioned Hearing Aids All reconditioned HA’s include 1 yr warranty Individual responsible for: – Any amount over $250 for reconditioned hearing aids – Cost of initial evaluation – Cost of fitting, follow-ups, cleanings, etc. Report federally as part of standard reuse activity 15

16. SHARP GOALS (Sustainability) KATS will fund SHARP for 2 years ($30k/yr) Transition funding for SHARP to Lions Club(s) statewide (or other statewide non-profit) – Minimal investment (financial or time) required per chapter – KATS can still provide oversight of program, or transition to Lions (or other NP/CBO) 16

17. Lessons Learned Paying application fee for Hear Now opens door for HHP’s to charge more for initial evaluation Aside from HHP’s having to volunteer services for Hear Now – lack of patient follow-up cited by HHP’s in regards to reluctance to participate with Hear Now (or source of bad experience with Hear Now in past). As with any reuse collection effort – people will send in anything/everything they can get away with. 17

18. Questions? 18

19. Thank You! KATS Network Statewide Hearing Aid Assistance & Reuse Program (800) 327-5287 www.katsnet.org/sharp Jimmy Brown – JamesA.Brown@ky.govJamesA.Brown@ky.gov Jerry Wheatley – Jerry.Wheatley@ky.govJerry.Wheatley@ky.gov 19