Hearing aid schedule of fees

Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand (VA) has set this schedule of fees to be effective from 11 September 2023.

This schedule covers the assessment, trial, and fitting of hearing aids.

Veterans' Affairs will issue a Purchase Order for the maximum amount of $7,866 including GST to the audiology business selected by the veteran.

All prices are in New Zealand Dollars.

Schedule of fees table

Conditions for audiologists

The Audiologist accepting the Purchase Order will comply with the following conditions:

• The Audiologist will be a member of the NZ Audiological Society and practice in accordance with their Code of Ethics and Best Practice Standards.
• The Audiologist will recommend a cost-effective aid that satisfactorily meets the reasonable hearing needs of the veteran and at the lowest possible price.
• This schedule of fees is expected to cover the range of costs for 90% of veterans, from a low-tech single aid to what was previously viewed as an overscale aid.
  Veterans’ Affairs expects that most invoices will come in well below the maximum amount.
  A review and auditing programme will be in place to monitor invoicing.
  Audiologists will comply with any requests for information.
• The Audiologist will keep a clear record of the rationale for the aid based on their needs assessment.
• The Audiologist will develop and document a rehabilitation plan along with a finalisation form, which the veteran and Audiologist sign, indicating confirmation of a successful fitting. This will need to be provided to Veterans’ Affairs on request.
• The Audiologist will remind the veteran to insure their hearing aids.
• The Audiologist will advise the veteran’s case manager by email (see the purchase order) if the aid supplied requires batteries.
  A battery allowance will be paid to veterans who use non-rechargeable batteries. When rechargeable replacement aids are supplied to the veteran, the Audiologist will advise the veteran’s case manager by email that batteries are no longer required.
• The Audiologist will ensure that the full warranty services are used with the wholesaler/manufacturer.
• The Purchase Order must be completed within six months of issue.  Only one, full, itemised and final invoice will be paid in respect of the Purchase Order.
  This invoice will include the initial hearing assessment and needs assessment, hearing aids, fitting fee and consumables.
• The Audiologist will discuss and arrange co-payment options with the veteran where the veteran wants a higher specification aid.
• In the cases where veterans also have a hearing loss claim with ACC, ACC is the primary funder.
  The Audiologist will charge ACC the costs relating to an ACC claim and invoice the remaining portion which would otherwise be met by the veteran to Veterans' Affairs under the purchase order provided.
  The expectation is that the total cost to Veterans’ affairs will be minimal.
• The Audiologist will prepare an application form for Exceptional Circumstances funding where a veteran’s needs and hearing goals will not be met through this schedule.
  • Hearing aid exceptional circumstances criteria
  • Hearing Exceptional Circumstances form [PDF, 360 KB]
• The Audiologist or the veteran will advise the case manager by email (see the purchase order) when they require a support and maintenance purchase order to be issued.