Insurance for speech processor parts replacment

purplecatty

purplecatty

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Hi everyone,

My Cochlear Nucelus 24 Esprit 3G (BTE) processor's microphone just gone bad. I tested it with the external microphone and it works fine. So it pointed to internal microphone problem. My warranty been passed long ago. It cost $525 to have it repaired but Cochlear customer svc told me to check out with ESCO insurance that would covers repair. I checked the insurance's policy. It turned out they're not covered for normal wear and tear. They do not have Platuim coverage for CI user. I got back with customer svc guy and explained him that there's no coverage for wear and tear. He decide to give me 50% off for repair which is $295. I insist him that I can't afford that much, don't have any money to pay for it. He suggest me to go online search for another insurance. I tried and can't find it except ESCO.

Anyone know of good insurance that pays for Speech Processor repair??

Help!!
Catty
 
295 dollars is a bargain and i think you need to reconsider this. I had mine quoted close to 600 dollars and had refused to put the price down.
 
that is a pretty good price considering the part...my area has something called the assistive devices program (ADP) and will cover part of the cost for any replacement for almost any medical device incl ci and ha's and fm systems and all that. i live in ottawa, ontario u shud check if ur area has anything lke that
 
Cochlear arround here usually charge $500 a year for a service contract after the warranty runs out. $295 is getting to be near the bottom of the barrel for medical electrtonic parts replacement. Microphones are generally are more exposed to the elements that can cause more wear and tear except for switches.
 
john57 said:
Cochlear arround here usually charge $500 a year for a service contract after the warranty runs out. $295 is getting to be near the bottom of the barrel for medical electrtonic parts replacement. Microphones are generally are more exposed to the elements that can cause more wear and tear except for switches.
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Yes, Microphone are the first thing to go south (my hearing aid in past too had same problem). I was surpised that Cochlear offer $595 for 12 months warranty, no thanks!! (blow over my head!!).. It's not much difference paying extended warranty or paying them to repair (usually they'll swap with refurbished one and pre-map to your map). ESCO insurance just sent me email regarding about Platinuim coverage (that covers wear and tear). They said that they can't provide one since it cost are pretty steep and no one would want the coverage. Oh well. Guess it's cheaper to have Cochlear do repair directly.

I was advised to use home insurance to cover theft, damage or loss on CI processor but does not cover wear and tear. I will call and notify my insurer about it and add it to their coverage list just in case.


Sometime we wish we had better coverage with reasonable price. :dunno::dunno:

Catty
 
lilitalia89 said:
that is a pretty good price considering the part...my area has something called the assistive devices program (ADP) and will cover part of the cost for any replacement for almost any medical device incl ci and ha's and fm systems and all that. i live in ottawa, ontario u shud check if ur area has anything lke that
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Yes it is a good price for repair.


Yes, In USA, they do have it. Ask your local CI Audiologist for to fill out form to request charity to help pay for CI repair. It all depends how much you earns at work. I do not believe I'm qualify for it cuz of my salary at Post Office. But my friend suggest me to explain to them I have bills, kids and mortages ect that leave me little to save. Good question.. If they can't help, that's fine. I'll figure it out myself.

Thanks
Catty
 
purplecatty said:
Hi everyone,

My Cochlear Nucelus 24 Esprit 3G (BTE) processor's microphone just gone bad. I tested it with the external microphone and it works fine. So it pointed to internal microphone problem. My warranty been passed long ago. It cost $525 to have it repaired but Cochlear customer svc told me to check out with ESCO insurance that would covers repair. I checked the insurance's policy. It turned out they're not covered for normal wear and tear. They do not have Platuim coverage for CI user. I got back with customer svc guy and explained him that there's no coverage for wear and tear. He decide to give me 50% off for repair which is $295. I insist him that I can't afford that much, don't have any money to pay for it. He suggest me to go online search for another insurance. I tried and can't find it except ESCO.

Anyone know of good insurance that pays for Speech Processor repair??

Help!!
Catty
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You know you can do is called Cochlear again and ask to speak to his boss. Now don't be mean but be kind and tell him your situation. I know that they reduced the costs even more. Where do you live/state? I could help you find someon who can help you.
 
jackiesolorzano said:
You know you can do is called Cochlear again and ask to speak to his boss. Now don't be mean but be kind and tell him your situation. I know that they reduced the costs even more. Where do you live/state? I could help you find someon who can help you.
Click to expand...

I called Nucelus and they offered me $298 in reduced discount. That's as far as they can go. I still can't afford it.

Personally, I checked everywhere for insurance to cover CI repairs. There are none!! ESCO sucks big time. They don't have coverage for CI. I sent 'scalding' Email to them that they should include the coverage. They apologized and told me it would cost $200 to $300 a year plus $100 deductible if need repair ((they have "quotas" to meet qualification to pay for repair. that's not right!!)). It's still rip off. I prefer to pay $100 a year and $20 to $50 deductible. It is like if you have insurance for cellular smartphone and if it breaks on you, you can get replacment free or little cost. I felt it should be the same..

I will seek out and questions other insurances such as AAA, Allstates, Farmers Insurance ect.. and other insurances that cover electronics repair. Even make a proposal to help insurance co's profit in doing biz with CI users. :rofl: I would make sure they covers all repairs on processor and if possible replacements if stolen, lost, or damaged processor. No Quotas or exception!!

I also will have to send Email or call Nucelus and Advanced Bionics (my wife's CI) about the insurance repairs for C processors. They do offer extended warranty service but cost $500 a year. It's big rip off. How can any deafie afford it. It seem like they think deafie are rich through VR, Charity, and some support group. I do not believe in asking for charity and I'm not qualified thru VR cuz I'm working. Also too many Audiologist got greedy cuz they profits from charity support, VR ect (some of them just jack up cost from actual cost). My Coworker and I did have very suspicious feeling with my own CI Audiologist about remapping fees because we work at good paying jobs. Both of us for remapping fees, $365 (under insurance service coverage covered by Health Insurance on billing statement) and we pays $35 co-pay (now Health Insurance no longer provice coverage for CI services!!). We felt that Audiologist think we are making alot of money and can afford to pay for remapping. It's not true. Everyone have rents, mortage, bills, foods, gas ect.. while my wife called same Audiologist and cost my wife $130 for remapping after my new Health Insurance no longer cover CI services!!!!

Right now economics are not good time for everyone due to gas and food and suplus price went up. CI manufacter should be more considerate for all CI users if they want to do business with them otherwise, I would recommend against having CI to CI recipients due to after warranty and repair costs issue. It's not fair that once implanted, they let you have 3 years warranty then after that you're trapped with high cost of repairs!! That's not right!! This wll affect jobs and social life of CI users!!

Not all health insurance covers repairs. My health insurance don't cover repairs nor services.

Sorry that I have strong opinion about it. Cuz I've seen too many deafie can't afford and had no supports and it's not fair for them and not fair for me.

Catty
 
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purplecatty , just be thankful that your insurance at least covers the basics..mine covered only the implant surgery , implantation and ext proccessor..after this , I'm on my own and I have to save up for any emegenercy..

Greece is far more expensive than the States right now...:( there should be an insurance company for all CI users..
 
Catty,
The cost that you were quoted is slightly cheaper that the price I paid to overhaul my hearing aid on the other ear this year. It does cost a bit more to maintenance the CI if you using the disposable batteries. The yearly maintenance contact from cochlear has gone up to $600 like everthing else. There are families with children that wear CI having the issue on paying for repairs and supplies.
 
I am not CI user but I will get it. Can I offer you? Can you ask your family to support you? They can give you some fund for speech processor. What do you think it will help?

purplecatty said:
I called Nucelus and they offered me $298 in reduced discount. That's as far as they can go. I still can't afford it.

Personally, I checked everywhere for insurance to cover CI repairs. There are none!! ESCO sucks big time. They don't have coverage for CI. I sent 'scalding' Email to them that they should include the coverage. They apologized and told me it would cost $200 to $300 a year plus $100 deductible if need repair ((they have "quotas" to meet qualification to pay for repair. that's not right!!)). It's still rip off. I prefer to pay $100 a year and $20 to $50 deductible. It is like if you have insurance for cellular smartphone and if it breaks on you, you can get replacment free or little cost. I felt it should be the same..

I will seek out and questions other insurances such as AAA, Allstates, Farmers Insurance ect.. and other insurances that cover electronics repair. Even make a proposal to help insurance co's profit in doing biz with CI users. :rofl: I would make sure they covers all repairs on processor and if possible replacements if stolen, lost, or damaged processor. No Quotas or exception!!

I also will have to send Email or call Nucelus and Advanced Bionics (my wife's CI) about the insurance repairs for C processors. They do offer extended warranty service but cost $500 a year. It's big rip off. How can any deafie afford it. It seem like they think deafie are rich through VR, Charity, and some support group. I do not believe in asking for charity and I'm not qualified thru VR cuz I'm working. Also too many Audiologist got greedy cuz they profits from charity support, VR ect (some of them just jack up cost from actual cost). My Coworker and I did have very suspicious feeling with my own CI Audiologist about remapping fees because we work at good paying jobs. Both of us for remapping fees, $365 (under insurance service coverage covered by Health Insurance on billing statement) and we pays $35 co-pay (now Health Insurance no longer provice coverage for CI services!!). We felt that Audiologist think we are making alot of money and can afford to pay for remapping. It's not true. Everyone have rents, mortage, bills, foods, gas ect.. while my wife called same Audiologist and cost my wife $130 for remapping after my new Health Insurance no longer cover CI services!!!!

Right now economics are not good time for everyone due to gas and food and suplus price went up. CI manufacter should be more considerate for all CI users if they want to do business with them otherwise, I would recommend against having CI to CI recipients due to after warranty and repair costs issue. It's not fair that once implanted, they let you have 3 years warranty then after that you're trapped with high cost of repairs!! That's not right!! This wll affect jobs and social life of CI users!!

Not all health insurance covers repairs. My health insurance don't cover repairs nor services.

Sorry that I have strong opinion about it. Cuz I've seen too many deafie can't afford and had no supports and it's not fair for them and not fair for me.

Catty
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Catty, Sorry to heard about that. $300 is not bad! I paid $1k out from my pocket for new digital aid hearing.
 
~♥~Pinky~♥~ said:
I am not CI user but I will get it. Can I offer you? Can you ask your family to support you? They can give you some fund for speech processor. What do you think it will help?
Click to expand...


Nah, bad news is that my family can't help.

Thanks for suggestions.

Catty
 
The Highlander said:
Catty, Sorry to heard about that. $300 is not bad! I paid $1k out from my pocket for new digital aid hearing.
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The CI processor cost over $6k itself. But What I am wearing is a older model Esprit 3G BTE. They no longer makes them and they continue as a refurbished processors.

The thing is that there should be an insurance to pay for repairs whence the safety net are. I was surprised that there are no insurance for repairing CIs. it is just like once warranty is over, you're trapped with high cost of repairs. We all should'nt be trapped for high cost of hearing things!! That's what bothers me.

I just sent Email to my audiologist if they have any suggestions for CI users for financing repairs. You have to remember that the microphone, volume control and switch does have short life which are common just like Hearing Aid. It needs maintenance to keep it functional.

I did have Body Worn Processor that I never use it and it's been shelved because it doesn't meet my sastification even with several mapping programs in it (it doesn't have high pitch sound which my BTE have. It was designed like that). I just sent request to audiologist if she can swap my BWP for refurbished BTE because BWP is still brand new. BWP cost much more than BTE so this should justify trade in without cost. I haven't heard from her yet.

Catty
 
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