Cochlear Implant Assistance Program

In the spring of 2003, the Center for Hearing took on the task of helping patients and families who are financially-challenged obtain this life-enriching device by establishing the Cochlear Implant Assistance Program (CIAP). Through a cooperative effort of device manufacturers and volunteer medical professionals, this new program is able to assist qualified candidates needing cochlear implants. To date, CIAP has fielded over 100 inquiries and awarded cochlear implants to several qualified candidates. While CIAP receives and awards no-charge implants, patients are still responsible for other costs associated with the procedure (physician, hospital, surgical, and audiological fees). CIAP will make every effort to request that implant teams reduce or waive their fees, however patients are ultimately responsible for any charges not waived. The average out-of-pocket cost for candidates who receive an implant through CIAP is approximately $15,000.

The supply of cochlear implants for this program is limited. CNI Center for Hearing's Cochlear Implant Assistance Program will submit a request to the manufacturer for an implant only if a completed application is approved by CIAP. Availability of the cochlear implant will then be determined at the discretion of the manufacturer.

CNI Cochlear Implant Assistance Program Eligibility Criteria

1. Applications will be considered only if the candidate is a permanent legal resident of the United States . In the case of applicants who are under 18 years of age at the time of their application, the legal guardians must show proof of permanent, legal US residence.
2. Applicants must to be evaluated and determined to be a candidate for a cochlear implant (CI) prior to applying to this Assistance Program.
3. CI candidates, including those without insurance or those whose insurance does not cover cochlear implants, are eligible to apply.
4. To ensure that potential coverage by an insurance carrier has been ruled out prior to the application being forwarded to the committee for review, all applications will be reviewed by a qualified cochlear implant reimbursement specialist.
5. Applicants must seek assistance from this program prior to obtaining their cochlear implant. Applications for reimbursement following the cochlear implant procedure will not be considered.
6. All applicants must provide all required attachments and documentation with their completed applications before being considered for this Assistance Program. Applicants will be contacted if incomplete applications are received and will be given a maximum of 6 months in which to submit all required documents. Failure to provide all materials within 6 months will result in the application being classified as inactive and discarded. If an applicant later wishes to be reinstated for consideration, all paperwork must be re-submitted under the guidelines in place at that time.
7. Pre and post-linguistically deafened pediatric applicants and pre-linguistically deafened adult applicants must demonstrate a commitment to appropriate therapy that promotes auditory skill development or their application for assistance will not be considered. A letter of support from the applicant's cochlear implant center verifying the applicant's level of commitment must accompany the application.
8. Applications may be considered from applicants who already have a cochlear implant if the applicant is attempting to cover the cost of replacement of a failed internal device. However, attempts to cover the expense of a replacement prothesis by other means must be exhausted prior to consideration for assistance from this program. Other means may include investigating replacement of the device under the manufacturer's warranty and/or requesting financial assistance from device manufacturers for un-reimbursed medical expenses. In some cases, the applicant's insurance company's decision may need to be appealed.
9. Applications will not be accepted from recipients who are seeking assistance with replacing their cochlear implant's external equipment. Applicants with this need are encouraged to check with their insurance carriers for potential coverage. If the insurance carriers deny the request, applicants should work with their CI centers which in turn should work with the CI manufacturers' reimbursement departments. Intervention from the reimbursement departments may be needed to ensure that insurance carriers are educated on both the nature of the CI and the need for associated equipment.
10. Applications for a bilateral implant will not be accepted.
    Eligibility criteria are re-evaluated every 6 months and may be modified more frequently if needed.

Cochlear Implant Assistance Program
Colorado Neurological Institute
701 East Hampden Ave., Suite 330
Englewood , CO 80113

http://www.thecni.org/hearing/assistance.htm

Application for funding from the CIAP (pdf - 8 pages).