Let Them Hear Suspends Program for Cochlear and Med-El Implants

Editor: The Let Them Hear Foundation is well-known for advocating for people who need hearing aids or cochlear implants, and who need assistance in getting them. They have just announced that they are suspending their advocacy program for Cochlear and Med-El implants, but will continue the program with the Advanced Bionics product.

Here's the press release.

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The Advocacy Program of the Let Them Hear Foundation has produced remarkable and encouraging results for patients denied coverage by an insurer for single sided or bilateral cochlear implantation. Over 425 cases have been undertaken, over 70 % of which relate to cochlear implants. Almost every state in the USA is geographically represented in the case mix. In over 200 cases, decisions have been rendered with 100% success to date! Altogether, the denials that have been overturned represent over $8 million dollars worth of cochlear implants and services delivered to children and adult patients due to the efforts of the Advocacy Program team. Additionally, over 50 million Americans previously without coverage for single sided or bilateral cochlear implantation now have coverage under their insurance plans. I know of no other source for patients where this expertise exists and such an impact has been made.

Since inception of this program, we have provided Advocacy Program services free of charge to all patients. Due to its success and the overwhelming popularity of this program, the amount of funding available to continue with the work has reached a critical level.

Regrettably, the Board of Directors of the LTHF has instructed me to stop Advocacy Program work on all cases involving patients who want Cochlear Corporation or MedEl Corporation products. Despite extensive discussions with these companies and other potential donor sources, we have not been able to achieve sustainable funding for Advocacy Program services for patients desiring Cochlear or MedEl products as of this date.

It is my pleasure, however, to announce an arrangement which allows the LTHF Advocacy Program to continue its work for some patients - specifically for patients desiring Advanced Bionics products. At a fundraising event October 19, 2006, I was delighted and honored to make the following announcement:

"Advanced Bionics, a Division of Boston Scientific Corporation, has been pleased to support the LTHF Foundation's Insurance Advocacy Program since January 20, 2006. This Visionary Program was developed to improve access and reimbursement coverage for patients seeking Bilateral CIs. It is well documented that bilateral implantation can improve the quality of hearing in many everyday listening situations and can provide significant advantages over unilateral implantation. The LTHF's Advocacy Program has been extremely successful in overturning insurance denials as well as changing some insurers' policies for future cases. Because of the efforts of LTHF, hundreds of patients have been provided insurance access for Bilateral CIs.

I am pleased to announce this evening that Advanced Bionics and Alfred E. Mann have agreed to continue their relationship with the LTHF's Advocacy Program for the next three years. This relationship will assist the Foundation in continuing its wonderful work to expand access for patients seeking Bilateral CIs. In addition, the LTHF Foundation and Alfred Mann are working together to develop new humanitarian initiatives to assist the hearing impaired who are uninsured or denied the Gift of Hearing because of economic hardship."

Patients or their representatives who are interested in assisting with funding for individual cases or those of others who desire Cochlear Corporation or MedEl products can contact our office for more information at 877-HEAR HELP.