We encourage all to continue to build on this victory to extend understanding and appreciation of the value of bone anchored implants among medical and hearing care professionals, insurance providers, regulators and the general public.  As the success of the CMS initiative proves - working together, we can open a world of sound to people by ensuring access to innovative solutions that improve quality of life now and in the future.

Medicare reimbursement for bone anchored devices will continue!

On October 31, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced via final rule that auditory osseointegrated implants (AOIs) are not hearing aids and therefore will remain a covered benefit for those Medicare enrollees with qualifying indications. Medicare’s determination that these devices are not subject to the hearing aid exclusion will be codified in the regulations.

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Friday’s decision by CMS is a victory for the many new and existing users of Ponto and other bone anchored hearing solutions who will continue to have access to this proven and effective treatment for conductive or mixed hearing loss and single-sided deafness.

It is also a victory for the many professional organizations, bone anchored hearing device providers, industry and advocacy groups that joined together to educate policy makers to the benefits of bone anchored implants in advance of the CMS proposal that would withdraw coverage for bone anchored implants. Oticon Medical is proud to have joined in this collective effort by mobilizing our resources and networks to build awareness. Together, we have succeeded in demonstrating the life-changing potential of bone anchored implants.