Cochlear Pleased CMS Will Continue Coverage Of Baha® System For Medicare Patients Needing This Hearing Technology

CENTENNIAL, Colo., Nov. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Cochlear Limited (ASX: COH), the global leader in implantable hearing solutions, is pleased that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has decided to keep the original classification of osseointegrated implants, such as the Cochlear™ Baha® System. This means that these systems will continue to be covered under Medicare.

"We are very happy that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has heard the outpouring of support for continuing coverage of these life-changing devices," said Anthony Manna, President, Cochlear Bone Anchored Solutions (Baha). "We will continue with our sales, service, repair and upgrade programs as usual, and Medicare customers can be confident that their coverage will continue uninterrupted."

Cochlear was part of a team that included medical professionals, professional medical societies, hearing advocacy groups and recipients that worked with CMS on this reclassification issue in an effort to secure continued coverage and economic access for its customers covered under Medicare.

About the Baha System

Designed to help people with conductive hearing loss, mixed hearing loss and single-sided deafness, the Baha System utilizes the body's natural ability to conduct sound. By connecting to the bone behind the ear with an osseointegrated implant, the Baha System bypasses the damaged outer or middle ear and sends sound directly to the healthy inner ear through the miracle of bone conduction. In people with single-sided deafness, sound is sent through the bone to the hearing ear, bypassing the non-hearing side.

About Cochlear

Cochlear is the global leader in implantable hearing solutions. It has a dedicated global team of more than 2,700 people who deliver the gift of sound to those with hearing loss in over 100 countries. Its vision is to connect people, young and old, to a world of sound by offering life enhancing hearing solutions.

The Cochlear promise of "Hear now. And always" embodies the company's commitment to providing its recipients with their best possible hearing performance today and for the rest of their lives. For over 30 years, Cochlear has helped hundreds of thousands of people either hear for the first time or reconnect them to their families, friends, workplaces and communities.

For more information, visit www.Cochlear.com.

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SOURCE Cochlear