Southern Cross is first insurer to cover cochlear implants
Southern Cross is first insurer to cover cochlear implants | Insurance Business New Zealand
Life & Health
Southern Cross is first insurer to cover cochlear implants
Coverage announced as healthcare concerns rise
Life & Health
By
Roxanne Libatique
This policy, announced by the Pindrop Foundation, is expected to provide greater access to this hearing solution for individuals with severe hearing loss.
Cochlear implant insurance
Under the new policy, SCHI will cover one internal cochlear implant, though the external sound processor, a critical part of the device, is not yet included in the coverage.
Despite this limitation, the change is seen as a significant step in reducing the financial burden of cochlear implants for policyholders.
Pindrop Foundation CEO Lee Schoushkoff described the introduction of the new coverage as a meaningful development for New Zealanders with substantial hearing loss.
Eligibility for the coverage requires members to meet specific criteria. These include:
being at least 18 years old
having severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss in one ear
moderate or worse hearing loss in the other
Alternatively, those who are expected to develop this level of hearing loss within 24 months, as determined by audiologists, may also qualify. Additionally, the member must have a hearing aid fitted for the ear scheduled for the implant.
The policy applies to members enrolled in SCHI plans such as KiwiCare, RegularCare, Wellbeing One, Wellbeing Two, UltraCare, First Cover, Wellbeing Starter, and Westpac First Cover.
This coverage expansion comes as healthcare access continues to be a leading concern for New Zealanders.
Conducted in partnership with Kantar, the report surveyed over 7,000 individuals and found that 84% of respondents expressed concern about the availability of affordable, high-quality healthcare services. This marks a 6% increase in concern compared to 2022.
The report also highlighted other challenges faced by New Zealanders in accessing healthcare, including long wait times and a shortage of healthcare professionals. In response to these barriers, telehealth services such as Southern Cross’s CareHQ platform have gained popularity as alternative options for patients seeking timely medical consultations.
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