EPIC Hearing Healthcare Enters into Strategic Alliance with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association National Labor Office

POMONA, Calif., April 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- EPIC Hearing Healthcare (EPIC), the nation's first and largest provider of hearing insurance, today announced it has entered into a strategic alliance with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association's National Labor Office (NLO). This relationship enables EPIC to offer its hearing health services as a part of the benefits plans of labor trust funds, labor unions and independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies served by the NLO.

"With hearing loss on the rise across age groups, and 30 percent of employees reporting untreated hearing loss,ⁱ there has never been a more important time to integrate hearing health care into benefits offerings," said Brad Volkmer, president and CEO, EPIC. "Most people are surprised to learn that hearing aids cost an average of $1,500 (and up to $5,000) per ear, placing this treatment for hearing loss out of reach for millions of Americans. We are proud to align with the NLO and are eager to work with Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies to bring affordable access to hearing evaluations and treatment to more employees and their families."

Through this relationship, clients of Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies served by the NLO will be given the opportunity to incorporate EPIC's services into their existing benefits plan. Through EPIC, members will have access to:

• A national network of credentialed audiologists and ear physicians with defined standards of care at fixed and pre-negotiated rates
• Savings from 30-60% off MSRP on hearing aids from all major manufacturers, plus extended warranties and batteries, complimentary
• Support services from trained hearing counselors via phone (1-866-956-5400), from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. PCT

To begin offering access to members, interested Blue Cross Blue Shield clients should contact Mike Reha, director of sales and marketing, at (909) 718-8419 or [email protected]; or Dru Coleman, national sales & marketing manager, at (909) 718-8412 or [email protected].

About EPIC Hearing Healthcare
Founded in 1997, EPIC Hearing Healthcare (EPIC) is the first in the country to provide access to hearing care as an ancillary or specialty benefit. With its extensive network of audiologists and hearing healthcare physicians, and distribution relationships with major hearing aid technology manufacturers, EPIC is now the national leader in hearing healthcare, and the only organization to offer hearing coverage as a fully insured benefit plan. More information is available at EPICHearing.com.

ⁱ Online employee survey conducted by Wakefield Research on behalf of EPIC Hearing Healthcare between November 22 and December 13, 2013, among 1,500 nationally representative full-time employed Americans 18+, including oversamples of sub-audiences of up to 101 Hispanics, 110 African-Americans, 100 Asian-Americans, 169 teachers and 100 law enforcement professionals (all employed full-time). Online employer survey conducted by Source Media on behalf of EPIC Hearing Healthcare December 2013 among 493 benefits professionals.

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SOURCE EPIC Hearing Healthcare

Related Links

http://www.EPICHearing.com