Southern Cross Health Insurance is now covering the cost of cochlear implants for eligible customers.
The change to its policy covers the cost of cochlear implant surgery and the internal hearing device. Only one cochlear implant (internal device) is covered.
Key points of the change include:
- Southern Cross Health Insurance will cover the initial cochlear implant (not replacement ones)
- The procedures must be performed by an affiliated provider to be eligible for cover under a member’s plan
- The prosthesis maximum applies: Unilateral $17,000
- ENT specialist consultations are covered under the specialist consultation benefit
- Plans also have a post-op speech and language therapy benefit. This pays different amounts depending on the plan members are on, and must be performed within six months of the eligible surgical treatment, chemotherapy or radiotherapy they have received
- Depending on the plan, there is some cover for audiologist consultations and hearing tests, either built in or included in optional modules
- Members must be aged 18 or older
The Pindrop Foundation, an organisation that supports those with hearing loss, says the decision by Southern Cross Health Insurance is a “…positive step in hearing healthcare”.
The foundation’s CEO Lee Schoushkoff says: “It’s a positive start, and we hope to see more comprehensive coverage in the future to include the external sound processor as well.”
The following plans are eligible: KiwiCare, RegularCare, Wellbeing One, Wellbeing Two, UltraCare, First Cover, Wellbeing Starter, and Westpac First Cover.
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