Latest Information Regarding ASHA's Discussions With hi HealthInnovations
February 17, 2012
Following a series of meetings and discussions with the senior leadership at hi HealthInnovations, we wanted to inform you that as of this date, we have not received any information from hi HealthInnovations indicating that they intend to change their business model in a way that protects patents' well-being or ensures effective hearing outcomes.
In January 2012, hi HealthInnovations began offering hearing aids over the Internet with no out-of-pocket costs to certain UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage members as well as direct-to-consumer hearing aids for people outside its network. A number of e-mail exchanges and two conference calls between ASHA staff and executives from hi HealthInnovations and UnitedHealthcare (UHC, a UnitedHealth Group company) in 2011 led to a January 31, 2012, meeting with hi HealthInnovations Chief Executive Officer Lisa Tseng, MD. At that meeting, ASHA representatives clearly stated our concerns, pointing out the past failures of similar device-driven models, and cited the lack of evidence that hi HealthInnovations' online hearing evaluation produces accurate results. Further concerns that we stated included the lack of explicit information about the specific role that audiologists might play in the hi HealthInnovations program. To address this concern, ASHA representatives recommended that hi HealthInnovations' online "hearing test" be labeled a "hearing screen" that refers people who are suspected of having hearing loss to a certified audiologist.
Dr. Tseng agreed to provide ASHA with details about how audiologists will be included in hi HealthInnovations service delivery model. Although hi HealthInnovations did provide additional information (Program Overview [PDF]), it did not address the questions that ASHA raised as to the role that audiologists will play in the hi HealthInnovations program. ASHA also has learned that Jerry Yanz, a well-respected audiologist who was hired by hi HealthInnovations to help introduce the company's line of hearing products and services, has resigned after less than a month at the company.
With the continuing lack of clarity about the role that audiologists could play in the UHC program, the lack of audiology leadership at hi HealthInnovations, and the failure to use a properly validated hearing assessment, ASHA remains deeply concerned about the potential risks to patients with hearing loss. If hi HealthInnovations does not address our recommendations, we will consider other ways to let legislators, regulators, and the general public know about the risks of this program. ASHA will also continue to work with other hearing organizations to make sure we present a strong, unified position to all of our constituents (Joint Statement [PDF]). If you have information to share with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), your state's Attorney General, or your local Office of Consumer Affairs about your experience with patients who have purchased hi HealthInnovations products, please contact one of these organizations at the following links:
ASHA encourages audiologists who have questions about hi HealthInnovations products or services or who encounter hi HealthInnovations beneficiaries seeking assistance with their hearing aids to contact Jennifer Stalpes, vice president of business strategy and development, hi HealthInnovations, at jstalpes@uhc.com. If you have questions for ASHA about this issue, please send an e-mail to audiology@asha.org.