On July 11, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed a new rule that would reclassify bone-anchored implants (i.e., osseointegrated hearing implants) from a prosthetic device to a hearing aid. This would effectively end Medicare reimbursement, since hearing aids are not covered under Medicare.
If the rule is adopted, it will affect thousands of people who do not benefit from hearing aids and people who need to replace or update their bone-anchored implant. The proposed changes threaten to eliminate what may be the best—and only—option for individuals with microtia, atresia, conductive hearing losses and single-sided deafness. Click here and here for more background and information.
There are only 10 days left to submit comments to CMS on the proposed rule! The comment period ends on September 2, and the final ruling by CMS is expected sometime around November 1. Click here to submit comments.Click here for guidance on comment submission for professionals, candidates, recipients, caregivers and supporters.
Source: AG Bell and link below.