Proposed Medicare Change

[keithk]

http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=CMS-2014-0092-0002

https://www.change.org/petitions/centers-for-medicare-medicaid-services-dept-of-health-human-services-continue-coverage-for-the-cochlear-baha-implant-system-a-life-changing-hearing-solution



Medicare is proposing a rule change by no longer covering the Baha. Here is a link to an online petition showing your support against the change and a link to the proposed rule change. You can leave your coments if you wish.

thanks
keith
cochlear awareness volunteer

[Catflower]

It is critical that everyone sign this petition.  If you don't have a BAHA now you may change your mind in the future.  If you do have a BAHA now you may want or need to replace or upgrade it in the future.  Can you afford to do this out of pocket?

[CHD63]

Thanks for posting this, Keith.  I signed the online petition at the regulations.gov site last week and wrote a lengthy explanation as to the need for safety issues with SSD people.

Please do this if you can.  Thanks.

Clarice

[Alan Goldberg]

Hi everyone,

All of the information about Medicare's proposed change is on the ANA website at www.anausa.org. Read the details and find out what you can do!

Thanks for your consideration.

[Catflower]

I just received an email update on this petition.  So far there's just short of 5,000 signatures.  I contacted my State Chapter of  Speech and Hearing Pathologists asking they email their members requesting that they sign the petition.

[rodneyd]

Hi all,

This "suggested treatment" comes from the 20 member unelected, uncaring "death panel" that is running our health care system now.  Heaven help us older folks who need medical services that they deem "not necessary" because we are taking up the health care dollars for younger people.

Can we assume that any system that improves our hearing will be considered a hearing aid, and therefore not covered? 

I think I will just take a pill and lay down now.

[CHD63]

What concerns me about the proposed change is that they are lumping all hearing loss together.  Those of us who are single-side deaf (SSD) have a safety issue to consider when there is zero sound coming from one side.  This is not a "cosmetic" issue of wanting to hear better.  It is so I will not step out into oncoming traffic because I did not hear it.  It is so I can still be a productive member of society.  Etc., etc.

End of vent .....

Clarice

[leapyrtwins]

As in most things related to our government today this just sucks.

I have signed the petition and talked to my neurotologist who also signed the petition and wrote a letter.

In my opinion, not only should Medicare cover BAHA implants it should also cover hearing aids.  So many people suffer from hearing loss and a large portion of them are elderly people covered by Medicare.  The cost of hearing aids - like the cost of a BAHA implant and device - is prohibitive for many. 

I've had my BAHA, which I couldn't live without, since 2008 and my insurance paid for the surgery and device 100%.  Everyone should have that opportunity.

Jan

[keithk]

I just received word that Medicare will continue to cover the Baha.