Overcharging complaints
Overcharging for replacement parts and fixing broken parts is the biggest thing people overlook who get their insurance to pay for it and don't really care since their insurance is covering it. After the warranty is over is when the big expenses can happen for those who did not do enough research.
These people have had enough problems and now they have to get overcharged by the companes because they have no other choice. Rechargable batteries can cost a customer $250 when they costs the company $30. Most people don’t think about all the costs until after they get implanted. See my page on after getting a cochlear implant. (It is very disturbing what some of these companies are doing). A simple cable is over 50 dollars. It's a a freakin wire. It costs probably less than a dollar to make.. Arggghh.. this bothers me so much. Just stop overcharging... you already made enough money on the implant.. please.. just please stop it.
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ADVANCED BIOTICS - COCHLEAR - MED-EL - OTICON - RECOCHLEAR - OTICON - NUROTRON
Note: it is not the In the fault of the sales rep that you are being uphold on so many accessories with your implant. They are being pressured by the company to upset as many additional add-ons with your implant. Some will even throw them in for free because many companies know they will make money on the "back end" when they malfunction and they will make money on replacements.
All patients with cochlear implants will have to pay for processor maintenance at one time or another. Most of the problems happen after the warranty, rarely within the warranty period. There is also fine print that people don't read... such as they won't replace your broken implant unless it is at least 5 years old. So what good is their 3 year warranty if the person has to wait 2 more years to fix it. I know the fine print that these insurance companies should make it easier for people to read. Also, there is a big gamble for paying for an extended warranty on cochlear implants when people haven't researched the fine print like they should. Extended warranties are a big business and I believe they should only be bought in certain circumstances. I URGE THOSE WHO DON'T WANT TO HAVE A PROBLEM YEARS DOWN THE ROAD TO KNOW THE HCPCS CODES AND WHICH CODES THAT RELATE DIRECTLY TO COCHLEAR IMPLANTS THEY WILL COVER. I urge people to make a record of the name of the person at the insurance company who made any claims on what will be covered. Many insurance companies also record the call and the all can be pulled up years later.
Note: Although all the insurable parts (batteries, ear hooks, broken processors, coils) can be replaced, I urge people to ask how many times each piece can be replaced and in what time period. Many people get screwed here when they lost or broke their implant twice too soon and they can only get it fixed one time each time period.
Beware: some people are told if they pay out of pocket and then file their own claim with their insurance company they will be reimbursed. I hope people will do research on which companies this is correct for. Also, there can be added costs such as going to the audiologists and getting the diagnostic codes to submit.
I strongly recommend talking to someone and comparing the out of pocket expenses you would have to pay versus how much the extended warranty will cost. So many people wish they did not buy the extended warranty as it cost them way more than any out of pocket expenses would ever be.
See my Cochlear Implant buyers guide page. It helps!
