Cochlear implants parts cost outrages?

The key part is that your insurance have DME (durable Medical Equipment) rider on the policy. Not all insurance have DME coverage. My DME coverage covers repairs when the processor is out of warranty. Batteries and supplies are covered with a 10% co-pay.

GrendelQ said:
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.
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john57 said:
The key part is that your insurance have DME (durable Medical Equipment) rider on the policy. Not all insurance have DME coverage. My DME coverage covers repairs when the processor is out of warranty. Batteries and supplies are covered with a 10% co-pay.
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Right, my insurance has that as part of standard schedule of benefits, rather than as a separate rider.
 
Just remember, we are dealing with adults, not children with CI... I don't know how much different they are as far as insurance.
 
john57 said:
The key part is that your insurance have DME (durable Medical Equipment) rider on the policy. Not all insurance have DME coverage. My DME coverage covers repairs when the processor is out of warranty. Batteries and supplies are covered with a 10% co-pay.
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I looked into that, one of it says 80% and the other says 60%, not sure what I'm looking for but either way, It does sound like I still have to pay out of my pocket and it isn't cheap when you live off of paycheck to paycheck (especially after insurance, it still could cost over $1,000) and you are really trying not to go in debt. I'll see if it will cover repairs. The last time I talked to my audiologist, she was little worry that my warranty have run out and I wouldn't be able to pay for the service to repair (from a broken microphone) as she told me that my insurance don't cover these type of service. This was about 2009.
 
Another thing you can check to see if there is a annual cap on the DME coverage as well. Since I do not feel as conformable dealing with insurance Help Desk on the phone. I went to the company patient advocate face to face to get the exact details on my insurance policy.


deafgal001 said:
I looked into that, one of it says 80% and the other says 60%, not sure what I'm looking for but either way, It does sound like I still have to pay out of my pocket and it isn't cheap when you live off of paycheck to paycheck (especially after insurance, it still could cost over $1,000) and you are really trying not to go in debt. I'll see if it will cover repairs. The last time I talked to my audiologist, she was little worry that my warranty have run out and I wouldn't be able to pay for the service to repair (from a broken microphone) as she told me that my insurance don't cover these type of service. This was about 2009.
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green427 said:
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).
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Um no. The helmet can protect your device and WILL if you get a special helmet with a padding made for your device. For home improvement projects and yard work, that would be like being scared to go outside because the air contains germs. Nothing is safe in real life. That's why with insurance, you'll have a "peace of mind" lol.

...Right? :)
 
Mudkipz got point, I wear my CI on daily basis regardless what i am doing except bath and sleep times. I ride horses, sail/race yachts, climb walls, skiing etc and I use bog standard helmet and it fits well too.
 
deafgal, do you have state health insurance? I hate to say it, but I do think that with the skyrocketing cost of healthcare a lot more health insurances will be cutting back on benifits.
 
nope, just insurance from my husband's work. I talked to my audiologist as my insurance isn't responding fast enough for me. She says she'll let me know my options. I certainly hope she won't tell me that I will have to pay $50 a month service plan unless I purchase a new processor that come with 3 years warranty.
 
deafdyke said:
I do think that with the skyrocketing cost of healthcare a lot more health insurances will be cutting back on benifits.
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Scares me that some state last option is to drop people with disability off at homeless shelters.
 
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