BAHA/Translab

[james e]

Can you use a BAHA after a translab surgery?

[tenai98]

sure you can...some have the BAHA implanted during their surgery.
JO

[leapyrtwins]

james -

as Jo said, you can have a BAHA implant at the same time you have you AN surgery.  However, not all doctors will combine the surgeries.  My doc doesn't.  I think it's just one of those doctors' preferences - no particular rhyme or reason.

It's also possible to get a BAHA without even having AN surgery.  A BAHA is for those who are unilaterally deaf or single-sided deaf and it doesn't matter how you come by your deafness.

Although many BAHA wearers became SSD through the result of AN surgery, many others were born SSD or became that way over time.

Jan

[james e]

My insurance will pay $5000.00 for the hardware. I assume they will pay for the surgery, but don't know that for sure. How much does the hardware cost?

[lori67]

Hi James.

That depends if by "hardware", they are including the titanium post or just the processor.  My processor was right about $5000 - maybe a little bit less.

I would imagine if they are willing to pay for the hardware, it would only make sense to pay for the surgery to make the hardware usable.  Then again, insurance companies (mine included) have done stranger things!   

By the way, I had translab too, and that's why I have my BAHA.

Lori

[james e]

Good response...I don't know exactly what they meant. I will have to call to find out.

[leapyrtwins]

My surgery and my device (Divino) were paid 100% by my insurance company, but not without my doc and I making repeated requests.

There have been stories on the Forum of insurance companies that agree to cover the device but not the surgery - which is pretty pointless because a device without the implant is worthless   

So, as Lori said, be very specific with your insurance company and find out exactly what they will cover.  The surgery isn't cheap by any means, and the device is usually a few thousand dollars - I believe my Divino was $4,000

If you need some tips on "fighting" with your insurance company check out this thread http://anausa.org/forum/index.php?topic=11751.0

Good luck,

Jan

[Sue Vogel]

Absolutely!  I had my BAHA surgery on Jan. 29 and am scheduled to get my processor on May 5.  My translab surgery was in October of '08.  It took me a while to face the idea of surgery again.  I have no regrets and can't wait to hear again. Insurance is covering all of mine (except for a fitting fee.)

Good luck with pursuing yours.

SUE