Cover for hearing implant surgery, implant devices and related treatment with Australian Unity.
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Price based on :
Singles cover in VIC. I'm Under 65 with an income $105,000 or less, Rebate Tier 0 and a 4% discount for direct debit.
A hearing implant is a surgically implanted medical device designed to assist people with significant hearing loss.
The most common implants are cochlear implants and speech processors. The cochlear implant needs to be surgically implanted under the skin behind the ear. This procedure requires a hospital admission and once implanted this device rarely requires changing. Unlike hearing aids, which amplify sound externally, the speech processor is a part of a cochlear device which converts speech sound into electrical impulses to stimulate the auditory nerve, allowing a person to understand sound and speech.
Yes. Cochlear implants and speech processors may be covered by private hospital insurance. To be eligible, your policy must include the Implantation of Hearing Device clinical category and any applicable waiting periods must be served.
If you are covered for the clinical category Implantation of Hearing, benefits may be payable towards:
It's important to remember that out-of-pocket expenses may still apply. These can include specialists gap fees and excess/co-payments, depending on your policy and healthcare providers.
Before booking treatment, you should contact us to ask about the benefits you can expect to receive and any out-of-pocket expenses you might incur. Australian Unity members on selected products can also access Gap Cover, which may help reduce or eliminate some out-of-pocket specialist costs when participating doctors use the scheme.
Hearing implantation is generally covered under Hospital cover, not Extras cover. In Australia's private health insurance system, this type of surgery is covered under the clinical category ‘Implantation of hearing devices’. This means hearing implantation benefits are generally available through Silver or Gold Hospital cover. Always check your policy to confirm what's included.
Can Extras cover help?
While Extras cover doesn't pay for hearing implant surgery performed in hospital, it may help with eligible services that support your hearing journey. Before needing surgery, this may include consultations with an audiologist for hearing assessments and support, and the purchase of hearing aids. After surgery, audiology services may help support your ongoing hearing care.* Hospital and Extras cover can work together to support different parts of your healthcare journey.
Hearing aid cover typically helps with getting and maintaining hearing aids through Extras cover, while hearing implant treatment is generally covered under eligible Hospital cover for things like Cochlear implants.
Hearing aids:
Hearing Implants and speech processors:
If you need surgery for the implantation of a hearing device, understanding the difference between Medicare and private health insurance can help you make an informed decision. While Medicare provides access to treatment through the public healthcare system, private health insurance may offer greater choice over the hospital and specialist, depending on your cover.
| Medicare (Public System) | Health insurance with hearing implantation cover | |
|---|---|---|
| When you can have treatment | Treatment is subject to public hospital waiting lists, which can sometimes be lengthy. | Treatment may be available sooner. If you haven't previously held cover that includes Implantation of a hearing device, you may need to serve a waiting period. After that, you'll generally have more flexibility when choosing a hospital and specialist. |
| Where you can have treatment | Public hospitals allocated through the public healthcare system. | Choice of participating private hospitals and, in some cases, public hospitals. |
| Who can treat you | Limited ability to choose your specialist. | Greater choice of specialist and treating team. |
| Cost to have the surgery | No hospital accommodation charges, surgeon or anaesthetist fees. Although you may still incur costs for appointments, tests or medications outside your hospital stay. | Depending on your policy, you may pay an excess or co-payment. Out-of-pocket costs may also apply for services provided by your surgeon or anaesthetist, as well as out-of-hospital appointments. |
Cochlear devices are used to provide patients with severe to profound hearing loss with adequate hearing for understanding speech. There are two components of a cochlear device:
The cochlear implant needs to be surgically implanted under the skin behind the ear. This procedure requires a hospital admission and once implanted this device rarely requires changing. The speech processor is a part of a cochlear device which converts speech sound into electrical impulses to stimulate the auditory nerve, allowing a person to understand sound and speech.
Waiting periods may apply before you can claim benefits for the implantation of a hearing device.
For most new Hospital cover policies:
A pre-existing condition is an illness, condition or ailment where signs or symptoms existed during the six months before you joined or upgraded your cover, whether or not you had received a diagnosis at the time.
Because hearing loss often develops gradually over time, many people considering hearing implant surgery may be subject to a pre-existing condition waiting period. That's why it can help to have the right level of Hospital cover in place before surgery is needed.
The best private health insurance for hearing implant surgery depends on your budget, choice of specialist, preferred hospital and how much flexibility you want in planning your treatment.
When comparing cover, look for policies that include the Implantation of a hearing device clinical category.
It's also worth considering:
Important information
*Select products only. Limits apply.
