Apparently, the state of Wyoming's Equality Care program believes that only zombies qualify to receive cochlear implants. Why do I say this? Today CD posted a follow-up to her earlier blog post about being denied for a cochlear implant. In this follow-up, CD posted a response from Wyoming Equality Care. A quoted segment: "the client must be unable to communicate through speech or other means to make their medical or basic needs known."
How else to interpret that statement other than that Wyoming's Equality Care Program wants to give only adult zombies cochlear implants?? No speech is clear, but what does "other means" mean? Do they mean that the candidate for a cochlear implant must be unable to read and write? Unable to use sign language? What does it mean? There is no possible interpretation other than that Wyoming's Equality Care wants only zombies to receive the cochlear implant. Correct me if I am wrong, please.
Unfortunately, it looks like the letter CD got is quoting the Wyoming Equality Care rules. I hunted for and found on page 74 of this Professional Covered Services and Limitations Module PDF from Wyoming Equality Care the exact same language under criteria for adults:#2: Must be unable to communicate through speech or other means to make their medical or basic needs known.
I looked through it also and it reads, as stated on page 74;
“1. Must be postligually deafened.
2. Must be unable to communicate through speech or other means to make their medical or basic needs known.
3. Must be highly motivated and have appropriate expectations to complete prescribed pre- and post-surgical treatment.”
The first is easily followed. The second? “Unable to communicate through speech or other means…” That essentially removes every known form of communications. Reading, writing, morse code, Braille, whistling, eye blinking, mind reading, miming, charades, sign language, head shaking/nodding, etc.
*head scratch*
The only thing that comes to mind are zombies and the undead.
The third is impossible to do if one follows the second requirement.
Therefore, their patients will be zombies from the local cemetery.
Where’s George Romero, zombie movie director, when you need him?
Why the heck would being able to speak be disallowed? In fact, it’s more likely that those who do speak as a primary mode of communication will seek out a CI in the first place. *slapping head* Save only zombies, save mega-bucks… Our government at its finest. They’d probably refuse to help anyone that lost their vision to see again if that person was able to write their own name because they would have no need to see if they already know how to write… Right?
Truly the dark ages that Wyoming EqualityCare is stuck in…
I’m PRElingually deaf yet use hearing aids and speak. My speech contains a Southern accent and is indistinguishable from that of a hearing person. Duh…but my hearing audiogram is down at the bottom.
I’m reminded of Bill Clinton’s first presidential campaign motto, “It’s the economy, stupid.” Well, to Medicaid and Wyoming EqualityCare, “it’s the ears, stupid, not the mouth”.
Isn’t it outrageous? I’ve tried looking around online for EqualityCare’s guidelines for implant coverage with no luck. But just their response to my inquiry.. ugh. They need some serious education on this issue! Thanks for the link, I’m going through it right now, and will also be sharing it with Advanced Bionic’s insurance reimbursement team as well. They HAVE covered implants in the past, I just don’t know for who… they must have changed something since then, I don’t know.
Absolute insanity, isn’t it? Thanks for the link, I checked it out and even forwarded it on to Advanced Bionic’s insurance reimbursement team. EqualityCare HAS covered implants in the past, so I don’t know if they have changed their criteria since then. But I’m definitely not happy at all. Their criteria, especially the bit about the communication bit, well it’s just plain wrong.
Wow…that’s one of the stupidest things I have ever read. Whoever wrote these rules were either 1) really clueless, or 2) very shrewd, writing rules that applied to almost nobody (except zombies, of course) so they wouldn’t have to pay for cochlear implants.
I like the title of your blog posting.
RLM
This policy is very similar to one I encountered under Utah Medicaid in 2001 that was successfully appealed. So it is not limited to Wyoming. Surely ASHA, HLAA, or the manufacturers can readily tell you how many other states by now have implemented similar policies?
I used to work at Wyoming Medicaid in the 90s and this policy was not in effect. So it was probably copied from Utah or other states.