Cochlear implants parts cost outrages?

macawsdeaf

macawsdeaf

Member
Joined
Aug 15, 2007
Messages
108
Reaction score
3
i was logged to purchase the parts i need.


cord was orignally $28 gone up to $43

Battery was orignally $45 and gone up $99 a pieces.

shortrange head piece was orginally $295 now it is $325

Plantium still same for $350.

so all these outrageous costs will the insurance all or not? it hard for some medicare to covered all. beat those who middle class and low class people coudn't afford when the money problem is bad. why is this such harsh and expensive when a person can't pay those price? due this money problem and highest expensive does not makes any sense... These Doctors is making more money than we are. sure thing life isn't always fair. but does not help the patients solve the problem if their parts begins to break down. Are you able to pay such outrages prices?
 
The coil I need to replace is $88 plus the wiring (for the bodyworn, for the BTE, I need the whole thing replaced. The dog got little frisky when playing with our son and got a hold of it when I took it off to air out) , I'm totally broke right now (I live off paycheck by paycheck) Insurance won't cover, you have to renew your warranty which is about 50-60 a month (can't remember) or you can pay in full annually.

medicare do cover it but not everyone have medicare.

I feel my Cochlear processor is too fragile (at least the wiring part) ! I seriously thinking about going back on my hearing aid in my unimplanted ear. they last longer.

deaf people are not even rich.
 
Yeah the cost of replacement parts is pretty high. But thats one of the things you need to take into consideration when deciding if the CI is for you or not!. But I am admitting it is a bit pricey no doubt.
 
It is tough: even if you are under warranty, as we are, there are issues. My daughter lost the battery component off a processor on a recent visit to an apple orchard. ~$290 worth of equipment sitting under a bunch of soggy trees somewhere. This would be covered by the warranty if broken (we've had a puppy chew and then drag a processor into our pond -- completely covered because we retrieved the mangled item). But if lost, that's out of pocket (we're saving our one get-out-of-jail card in case the whole thing goes missing: they'll make a total replacement of the processor for free, but just one time). Have to admit, though, in 3 years with 6 processors (2 full sets of freedoms -- one as backup -- and 1 set of N5s, we've still not approached the cost of having hearing aids for 6 months.
 
That is exactly why I leave the CI in a safe place whenever I do any physical activity that could break it (yard work, home improvement projects, bicycling, motorcycling, etc, etc).
 
during my years of hearing aids and CI processors, no place is safe to wear it..

I found my old hearing aid. I think I need a new one ... I can't tell from the whistling (feedbacks) from the sounds. I used to be able to... I think I may need a more powerful one.
 
deafgal, how long has it been since you used a HA? I would see if a trial of a more powerful aid might benifit you.
And yes, the accessories for CI are a bit pricey . But I mean you have the surgery and the basic hardware covered by insurance. I guess they are trying to make more money.
 
The surgery itself was pricey too. had to pay over $5,000, almost similar to what I have to pay for a new processor.

it been 7 years since I wore HA...
 
Maybe the whistling is because the earmold does not fit correctly now? IDK, ?
 
macawsdeaf said:
i was logged to purchase the parts i need.


cord was orignally $28 gone up to $43

Battery was orignally $45 and gone up $99 a pieces.

shortrange head piece was orginally $295 now it is $325

Plantium still same for $350.

so all these outrageous costs will the insurance all or not? it hard for some medicare to covered all. beat those who middle class and low class people coudn't afford when the money problem is bad. why is this such harsh and expensive when a person can't pay those price? due this money problem and highest expensive does not makes any sense... These Doctors is making more money than we are. sure thing life isn't always fair. but does not help the patients solve the problem if their parts begins to break down. Are you able to pay such outrages prices?
Click to expand...

Looks like a small price to pay for hearing. Is it not worth that much to you?
 
Hmm. Once when the pup ate my earmold my audi used a soft fit ear plug. (like used when shooting, mowing or such) She put a hole in it and put the tubing into it. There are no loaners with my fit. No more eeek. You may also need tubing though.
 
hmm i thought insurance covered the cochlear implant for at least on of the ear? or, is this not true?
 
I have insurance because cover my benefit battery reason my hearing aid I am lucky! :D
 
Saifullah786 said:
hmm i thought insurance covered the cochlear implant for at least on of the ear? or, is this not true?
Click to expand...

from my experience, they won't cover the external part of the cochlear implant. In fact, it is very much like paying for your hearing aids out of your pocket except it is little more pricey. You have to depend on the warranty that come with the processor to have anything that broken fix. The warranty won't give you a new processor either. you have pay it out of your pocket for a new processor. Each processor come with 3 years warranty and after that you have purchase your warranty. Nucleus News Apr 2010: Warranty & Service Protection | Cochlear

when I upgrade 3G to Freedom, I had to pay out of pocket (I wanted it because the rechargable battery would be easier on my budget in the long term) , I trade in my 3G to lower the price of Freedom which made a big difference. I can't trade in my bodyworn though.. it is obelote (spelling?????)
 
Saifullah786 said:
hmm i thought insurance covered the cochlear implant for at least on of the ear? or, is this not true?
Click to expand...

Many ins. programs in the US cover everything having to do with the CI, from surgery to equipment and accessories to auditory rehabilitation for a year after (or sometimes more, if there are other learning needs/if late-implanted, if under school age), and the warranty goes into effect on the equipment for 3 years, afterwards, additional coverage may need to be purchased from the implant co. or through homeowners, just like you would cover your computer or a wedding ring :). Upgrades are also included, and then the warranty starts all over again.

That's been my experience: my daughter has 2 CIs (+ all-upgraded equipment this year). In my state, healthcare insurance is mandatory, so everyone is covered if they are approved for a CI, but perhaps some people have a high deductible or have gone ahead without having hc insurance.
 
GrendelQ said:
Many ins. programs in the US cover everything having to do with the CI, from surgery to equipment and accessories to auditory rehabilitation for a year after (or sometimes more, if there are other learning needs/if late-implanted, if under school age), and the warranty goes into effect on the equipment for 3 years, afterwards, additional coverage may need to be purchased from the implant co. or through homeowners, just like you would cover your computer or a wedding ring :). Upgrades are also included, and then the warranty starts all over again.

That's been my experience: my daughter has 2 CIs (+ all-upgraded equipment this year). In my state, healthcare insurance is mandatory, so everyone is covered if they are approved for a CI, but perhaps some people have a high deductible or have gone ahead without having hc insurance.
Click to expand...

I am not sure what you are trying to say, but additional coverage from an implant company for an old processor do not cover upgrades. I looked into that and it says they don't do that. Unless you are talking about the $7,000 service plan (or the $300 a month plan)

although, the $7,000 service plan don't sound too bad, your processor is covered for about 2 years, and you get a new processor after your 2-year service plan is up (assuming you get to keep your old one as well) which comes with 3 years warranty and you can do the $7,000 service plan again after the three years warranty is up. The cycle starts all over again. and you will have lots and lots of backups. Unfortunately, I don't have 7,000 or $300 a month, don't even have $100 unless my husband is willing to give up high speed internet and cellphones and cable (which only have basic channels, no HBO or anything like that although it does come with free HD channels)

but sadly, he work at home because he is on call alot so high speed and cellphones (and I need those as well for emergency - like picking up our son from school) can not be cross out unless he quit his job.
 
Last edited:
deafgal001 said:
I am not sure what you are trying to say, but additional coverage from an implant company for an old processor do not cover upgrades. I looked into that and it says they don't do that. Unless you are talking about the $7,000 service plan (or the $300 a month plan)
Click to expand...

Yours may not. But the 3 largest MA insurance plans cover upgrades (I assume the others do, too, but haven't checked). Ours just upgraded both a couple of months ago, no cost, no special rider, just a written application to have them upgraded plus letter from doctor explaining the benefits.

[Maybe you think I'm saying that the implant company provides free upgrades? I'm not, I'm referring to healthcare insurance covering the cost of processor upgrades, and then the company warranty begins anew.]
 
Back
Top