National Coverage Analysis (NCA) View Public Comments

Cochlear Implantation

Public Comments

Commenter Comment Information
Crittendon, Carrie Date: 08/05/2022
Comment:
As a long-time pediatric audiologist that recently began serving adults in rural West TN, I am finding it increasingly important that coverage be extended for adult cochlear implant candidates. The isolation in which late onset significant hearing loss results, can be life and health altering.
Stillman, Nancy Date: 08/05/2022
Comment:
I think it's wonderful the CMS is considering broader criteria for cochlear implants and strongly encourage these changes. It's difficult to describe the isolation and depression a person experiences when a hearing loss prevents interaction with others.
Sincerely,
Nancy Stillman
White, Liz Date: 08/05/2022
Comment:

To Whom It May Concern:

I’m in full support of this proposed coverage of changing Medicare criteria for cochlear implantation.

As an audiologist who refers for cochlear implantation, I see many patients who would benefit from a cochlear implants but do not yet meet the very strict criteria of 40%.

I support increasing the criteria to 60% to help more patients hear better and improve their quality of life.

Thank you for considering,
Liz White, AuD
Wilkins, Kayla Title: Board Certified Doctor of Audiology
Organization: Aspire Hearing and Balance
Date: 08/05/2022
Comment:
As a Doctor of Audiology who works extensively with patients with cochlear implants and evaluates candidates for a possible cochlear implant, I acknowledge the thorough great work of CMS and support the expansion criteria decision as presented. This will be a great value for patients with hearing loss. Thank you for your time and consideration of this proposed expansion of coverage.
Sheets, John Title: Audiologist
Organization: University of Miami
Date: 08/04/2022
Comment:
Expansion of cochlear implantation guidelines would allow for much greater access to cochlear implantation for individuals who could greatly benefit from this decision. Research has continually showed this and CMS following research guidelines would be a major step forward for improving access to necessary services.
Marks, Tina Title: President
Organization: The Ohio Academy of Audiology
Date: 08/04/2022
Comment:

The Ohio Academy of Audiology (OAA) is an organization representing approximately 1100 audiologists in the state of Ohio. On behalf of OAA I would like to commend and thank you for considering the proposed expansion of coverage for cochlear implantation (CI) for adults with aided open-set sentence recognition scores of less than or equal to 60% (up from 40%) on recorded tests. The OAA is an organization committed to improving quality of life for individuals with balance and communication

More

Callender, Ealena Organization: National Center for Health Research
Date: 08/04/2022
Comment:

National Center for Health Research’s Comments On Broadening the National Coverage for Cochlear Implantation

We are writing to express our views on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed decision memo reconsidering the national coverage determination for cochlear implantation.

The National Center for Health Research (NCHR) is a nonprofit think tank that conducts, analyzes, and scrutinizes research on a range of health issues, with particular focus

More

Derina, AuD, Allen Title: Doctor of Audiology
Organization: Eastern Virginia Medical School
Date: 08/04/2022
Comment:
I support the proposed expansion of cochlear implantation coverage to less than or equal to 60% correct in the best-aided listening condition on tape-recorded tests of open-set sentence recognition. This change will better align CMS indications of cochlear implantation to those of the Food and Drug Administration and private insurers. The potential societal benefits are tremendous: the research literature is inundated with the realization of the negative impacts of hearing loss, including

More

Sheffield, Sterling Title: Assistant Professor
Organization: University of Florida
Date: 08/04/2022
Comment:
I commend the CMS for their thorough review of the literature and evidence for the expansion of cochlear implant candidacy criteria and fully support their proposed expansion of criteria.
Byrd, Jim Organization: Cochlear
Date: 08/04/2022
Comment: