The American Academy of Audiology and the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) submitted comments to CMS in support of the proposed expansion of coverage for cochlear implantation (CI) for adults with aided sentence recognition scores of up to 60 percent (an increase from 40 percent).

A well-establish, non-experimental intervention, CI is appropriate for adults, including Medicare beneficiaries, who receive limited benefit from hearing aids. Cochlear implants have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) since the mid-1980s.

The Academy and AAO-HNS submitted comments in collaboration for two reasons: first, in recognition of the necessary collaboration that exists in any cochlear implant program that achieves positive outcomes for their recipients, and second, in representation of our mutual support for the expansion of cochlear implant candidacy for Medicare beneficiaries; is in the best interest of our shared patients. 

The joint comments provide documentation of substantial evidence to expand coverage.

Read the full letter.

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