Am I eligible for Disability Support Services – Ministry of Social Development funding?

Disability Support Services – Ministry of Social Development funds cochlear implant services for people with severe to profound hearing loss where hearing aids prove ineffective for acquiring or maintaining spoken language.

For those who meet eligibility criteria, Disability Support Services – Ministry of Social Development funds bilateral implants for children (up to 19 years) and one implant for adults. Funding is prioritised based on a national Clinical Priority Access Criteria (or CPAC) tool. There may be a wait time.

Only patients who live in New Zealand permanently and are eligible for publicly-funded health and disability services may qualify.

Disability Support Services – Ministry of Social Development funded services includes:

• Initial assessment
• The device (an implanted electrode and a sound processor which is worn externally)
• Surgery
• Audiology
• Rehabilitation for adults or habilitation for children
• Processor replacement when the current processor becomes unserviceable

For funded patients, the cost of travel to the SCIP for an audiology assessment, surgery and follow-up appointments may be covered through the Ministry of Health’s National Travel Assistance Scheme.

Private patients

Patients who do not meet Disability Support Services – Ministry of Social Development eligibility criteria for full funding may elect to fund a cochlear implant(s) themselves.

We work with the four main implant manufacturers and can discuss with you the cochlear implant system best suited to your needs. While private patients may elect the manufacturer of their choice, in some cases clinical circumstances will dictate the recommended implant system.

Our consultation fees – private patients

Cochlear Implant Candidacy assessment                                       $750
(Audiology, Rehabilitation)

“Meet-and-greet” pre-op discussion                                              No charge

Post-implant follow-up – one-off fee                                             $5400 per implant*
(Audiology, Habilitation/Rehabilitation)

Spare parts, batteries, and repairs                                                At cost

* A 40% discount on consultation fees is offered for simultaneous recipients on the second ear.

Prices provided here are accurate, but may change at any time. For confirmation of implant prices and fees, please request a formal quote valid for 30 days.