Introducing the Cochlear™ Baha 3 for our Baha implant recipients!
Baha 3 Upgrade Program Overview
This upgrade is available to: Baha Compact, Baha Classic, or Baha Divino™ customers
Learn more about how the Baha Baha 3 may benefit you.
If you are currently a Baha Divino customer, visit the discussion board in our online community to learn about the differences between the Divino and the Baha 3 Sound Processors.
Pricing: (US)$4,000*
*purchase price from Cochlear does not include any additional programming or fitting fees that may be incurred from your hearing healthcare professional
For our Baha Cordelle II & Intenso customers
As new technology becomes available we will provide you with opportunities to upgrade to new technology. While we do not currently have release dates for new products, please bookmark this site and check back to get more details.
At Cochlear Americas we take our lifetime commitment to you very seriously, and that includes providing the latest technological innovations AND highest quality service.
- Questions? Live Chat- (on the top right hand side of this screen.)
- Call: (800) 587-6927
- Email at upgrade@cochlear.com
Pricing: (US)$4,000*
*purchase price from Cochlear does not include any additional programming or fitting fees that may be incurred from your hearing healthcare professional
Payment options:
Consider the following options for financing:
- Use a credit card or check for payment.
- If you have a flexible spending healthcare account at work, consider setting aside money to pay for your upgrade.
- Financing through CareCredit
- Private insurance
- Medicare/Medicaid Assistance
Arrange for financial assistance
Do you need financing assistance? If so, we have arranged financing opportunities through CareCredit®. If you are interested in a 24 month financing option, fill out an application online prior to placing your upgrade order by clicking the button below – it takes less than 10 minutes.
Once you have approval through CareCredit, you will be given an approval code (usually 16 digits). You will need to keep this approval code and provide it to Cochlear when you place your upgrade order. (available in the US).
Canadian Recipients:
3rd party financing through Medicard is available by contacting Union Hearing Aid Centre at 1-866-269-8880
Do private health insurance companies cover upgrades?
Private health insurance coverage and payment for medical services is usually based on medical necessity. It is prudent to check with each private health insurance plan for its own replacement coverage criteria. To request coverage from your private health insurance and payment for medically necessary services, a letter of medical necessity (LMN) may be required and must be written by a medical professional familiar with your medical condition and situation. Cochlear Americas cannot establish medical necessity and consequently, does not supply sample LMNs.
Private Insurance
We will gladly discuss your particular scenario, and help with advice and tips. We are recommendingthat our recipients work with their insurance companies as a first option. See below for helpful tips
Pursuing Commercial Insurance Reimbursement Tips
It is important to contact your insurance company and inquire about benefits and out-of-pocket expenses prior to purchasing an upgrade. For those who either can not utilize Access MediQuip® or if you would like to pursue coverage on your own – the following tips may be helpful.
Tip 1 Contact your commercial insurance company. Ask them specifically what your durable medical equipment benefits are and what the allowed amount is for your sound processor.
L8691 - the code for a replacement Cochlear™ Baha Sound Processor such as the Baha 3.
Note: The allowed amount is an indication of how much an insurance company will pay if the sound processor is a covered benefit. This information will also help you understand your out-of-pocket expense related to upgrading to a new processor.
Questions to ask include:
- Is there a medical policy in place that relates to this code?
- Does this code (L8691) require preauthorization?
- What coinsurance or deductible is due if any?
Tip 2 If preauthorization is required; ask what documentation is needed for an authorization. In some cases a letter of medical (LMN) necessity will be required.
Often a letter of medical necessity or a physicians order (prescription) for code L8691 is required from the insurer in order to obtain authorization. You or your provider will need to send this letter to your insurers' preauthorization department prior to obtaining the upgrade.
Tip 3 Out of network. Cochlear is not "in network" with any commercial insurance company. If you are required to obtain a preauthorization, or if your insurer does not have "out of network benefits", it is important to stress that Cochlear is the sole provider of this equipment. Questions to ask include:
Can they approve purchasing the upgrade at the "in network benefit level" to limit your financial responsibility.
If your insurer needs any information from Cochlear, or should you have questions on how to get started please contact the upgrade team at (800) 587-6927 and we'll be happy to assist.
If you can not assume out of pocket payment (while you await reimbursement) from your private insurer.
There is a company Access MediQuip® who can further provide assistance in securing insurance reimbursement through your commercial insurance plan. NOTE: Access will charge additional fees for this service and your should inquire about those prior to engaging their services.
What will Access MediQuip do?
This company will work with your insurance carrier to determine your benefits coverage and seek authorization from the carrier. Once authorization is received, they will purchase the Baha 3 upgrade from Cochlear, ship the Baha 3 upgrade to you and bill the insurance company for the upgrade.
NOTE: Access is not contracted with the following providers:
UHC
AETNA
Tricare
BCBS FL
Health net of OR
Anthem CO
Medical Mutual of OH
Medicare/Medicaid
If you have one of these providers, you may need to work directly with your provider to ascertain coverage. (see tips above- that may help you in seeking reimbursement with your insurer).
To get started, please contact the Cochlear upgrade team for advice on the best way to determine your coverage. If Access MediQuip is able to process the commercial claim, you will be referred directly to them.
Medicare coverage:
Medicare covers replacements of any item of DMEPOS that has been in continuous use by a beneficiary and is beyond its useful lifetime, or is lost or irreparably damaged. In some circumstances, Medicare may cover replacement of DME equipment when a product is past its useful lifetime or where required because of a change in the patient's condition. Medicare requires a current physician's order for claims involving replacement of equipment due to wear (see useful life below) or a change in the patient's condition. Cochlear has confirmed with CMS that the useful life of 5 years will apply. Computation is based on when the equipment is delivered to the beneficiary, not the age of the equipment. A change in the patient's condition would have to be medically supported and is likely to be a relatively unusual situation.
Medicare, Medicaid?
The Cochlear upgrade team can process your reimbursement and can submit the claim on your behalf. (We do require that you send in certain paperwork to help us do this.)
Contact us! The Cochlear Upgrade Team is staffed with specialists who can assist in answering questions, providing tips, referrals or in certain cases, filing your insurance claim directly for you!
- Live Chat- (on the top right hand side of this screen.)
- Call: (800) 587-6927
- Email at upgrade@cochlear.com