Impact of Medicaid on Cochlear Implant Access

The study documented the role of Medicaid in the provision of cochlear implants and identified access barriers due to states' adopted rules. An historical review of federal legislation provided a basis for evaluating the original Congressional intent and how this national purpose aligns with how state programs are currently operating.

A SurveyMonkey questionnaire was used to facilitate data collection from 47 clinics across 35 states after an initial inquiry was made to each clinic to determine an appropriate point of contact, generally a cochlear implant audiologist. Respondents were from all regions of the United States and represented a diversity of clinic types of varying program size. Data were collected for two calendar years-2015 and 2016.

Medicaid was the funding source for an average of 55% of pediatric surgeries based on 36 US clinics. For the 23 clinics returning information on adults, Medicaid was the health insurer for an average (mean) of 22% of cochlear implants (CI) surgeries; the median was 13%. Four access concerns were identified: 1) equipment replacement and processor upgrade policies; 2) low reimbursement by state Medicaid for cochlear implant surgery and related services; 3) Medicaid Managed Care (MCO) and the complexity these providers can add for a specialized service like CI that is offered at a limited number of facilities; and 4) obtaining authorization for CI surgery and related services.

The intent of the 1989 legislative changes in Medicaid was to ensure that children received appropriate healthcare services wherever they lived in the country. What has transpired over the years, vis-à-vis CI, is a Medicaid system that varies depending upon the state's individual rules.