Cost and Funding

Cost of cochlear implants

A cochlear implant device, surgery, and the necessary follow-up treatment can cost an average of $60,000 or more per person. The cost is usually covered, at least partially, by health insurance or other coverage. While this may seem expensive, it’s considered a very cost effective treatment as compared to the costs of special services, adaptations and other related expenses of hearing loss that is left untreated (National Institutes of Health, 2006).

Paying for a cochlear implant

If you would like more comprehensive information about funding options for cochlear implants, you need to Get HAPPY^™! Simply answer a few questions about yourself, your hearing problems and your hearing goals and we will send you a personalized package of hearing health related topics including the most current version of the Healthy Hearing Guide to Hearing Aid and Cochlear Implant Funding. This is excellent information to help you research your options and take to your cochlear implant center.

Your cochlear implant center will work with you to determine your coverage and costs. Additionally, each cochlear implant manufacturer has a department specifically dedicated to assisting you and your professional with reimbursement questions, and navigating the health insurance process.

Commercial health plans – More than 90% of private insurance plans cover cochlear implantation. Whether one or bilateral are covered, and exactly what your out-of-pocket costs will be, are determined by your specific plan’s policies.

Medicare - Medicare covers cochlear implants provided you meet Medicare’s coverage guidelines for candidacy.

Medicaid – Medicaid coverage for cochlear implants varies by state. If you have Medicaid, your cochlear implant center can advise you further on your coverage for cochlear implants.

National Institutes of Health (2006).  Fact Sheet - Cochlear Implants.   Retrieved on October 28th, 2008 from http://www.nih.gov/about/researchresultsforthepublic/CochlearImplants.pdf.