Image Resource: Kaboompics.com
Southern Cross Health Insurance teams up with the Pindrop Foundation to launch an innovative policy aimed at enhancing the quality of life for adults suffering from severe hearing loss. The initiative starts in October 2024, ensuring comprehensive coverage for cochlear implant surgery and devices for adults with severe hearing loss, addressing a crucial need for improved healthcare access.
Life-Changing Coverage for Eligible Members
The main goal of the new health policy is to make cochlear implant surgery more accessible than ever under a new policy that covers the total cost of surgery and the internal device for one ear.
Members must be 18 or older and experience severe to profound sensorineural deafness in one ear, with moderate hearing loss in the other, or have a prognosis of deterioration to this level within 24 months.
The designated ear must have been fitted with a hearing aid and meet certain speech and sentence discrimination test results.
The launch of the policy will be available under the KiwiCare, Wellbeing, and UltraCare health plans, and it represents a major leap toward the provision of essential healthcare services for those with severe hearing impairments.
Pindrop Foundation Endorses the Policy
The Pindrop Foundation has wholeheartedly endorsed Southern Cross Health Insurance’s new policy, recognising its profound implications for those with severe hearing loss.
CEO Lee Schoushkoff called the initiative a “game-changer” for New Zealanders, since it produces new possibilities and it empower individuals to regain their hearing and enhance their quality of life.
Barbara McBride, a recipient of a cochlear implant, shared her enthusiasm about the expanded coverage: “Having experienced the life-changing benefits of a cochlear implant myself, I am thrilled that more people will now have access to this technology.” McBride also expressed hope for future improvements, particularly in covering external sound processors, which would further ease the financial burdens on those who rely on these devices.
Part of a Larger Healthcare Strategy
The insurer’s decision to broaden its coverage is a testament to its commitment to adapting to the evolving healthcare sector in New Zealand. The company already rolled out a series of policy enhancements aimed at addressing rising healthcare costs while ensuring that services remain affordable for its members.
Regan Savage, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer of Southern Cross, reinforced this commitment, stating, “Our members’ health is our top priority. We continuously review our policies to ensure they meet evolving needs and provide sustainable solutions.”