Why Will VR Pay for a Hearing Aid, But Not a Cochlear Implant?
Why Will VR Pay for a Hearing Aid, But Not a Cochlear Implant? Friday August 15, 2008 That is the question being asked by a frustrated, uninsured deaf woman unable to benefit from hearing aids, who wrote that when she asked her Vocational Rehabilitation counselor if they would pay for a cochlear implant, they replied “Vocational Rehabilitation will only pay and assist with hearing aids. They do not approve payment for cochlear implants.” She wants to know how she can get her VR to pay for a cochlear implant, as she does not have any insurance. I know that some states, such as South Dakota’s Department of Rehabilitation Services, do offer some limited help for cochlear implants. Unfortunately this lady lives in a state whose VR program does not offer any help for cochlear implants. I know there are organizations she can turn to for assistance, such as Lions Clubs, but this is a problem that is going to recur for people living in states where the Vocational Rehabilitation programs do not
