Re: Cochlear implantation at risk as Medicaid cuts threatened

[Guest guest]

While Medicaid programs like Arizona's are frequently eliminating coverage of

cochlear implant services for adults, none of them can do so for children.

 

Federal law requires every state Medicaid program to cover all necessary

treatment for children.  Budget difficulties cannot be used an excuse to waive

this mandate under the Early Periodic Screening Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT)

program.

 

When I joined Cochlear in 1994, some 25 plus states were refusing to cover CI

for kids.  Having worked at a Medicaid program, one of the first things I did

was get the federal government to send a letter to all states forcing them to

cover CI for kids.  Because there is no alternative effective treatment for

their condition, EPSDT does not allow any state to deny coverage of CI services

to kids. 

 

I am not aware of any change to this EPSDT mandate.  So while Nevada and other

states will continue to drop adult coverage, they must continue to cover CI for

kids.

 

Mark Hobraczk