The national Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) established a 1998 medical policy for cochlear implants that is used by nearly all BCBS plans.

It provides cochlear implant benefits consistent with FDA criteria, but recommends only 6-10 aural rehabilitation visits following surgery.

However, employee benefit plans negotiated with employers may still exclude cochlear implants entirely despite the BCBS medical policy.

There are currently 43 BCBS plans operating in all 50 States and the District of Columbia. They cover about 41 percent of the 75 percent of Americans covered by private plans. While total enrollment of over 83 million people is roughly the same as 1982, the number of plans has declined from 103. It is projected that there may be less than 25 BCBS plans within the next five years.

Click here for a list of all local BCBS plans.

Alabama BCBS Alabama Blue Cross and Blue Shield Coverage of Cochlear Implants	BCBS FEP Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program
BCBS Massachusetts Cochlear Implant Coverage under Massachusetts Blue Cross and Blue Shield	BCBS North Carolina BCBS North Carolina
Tennessee Blue Cross and Blue Shield Tennessee Blue Cross and Blue Shield Coverage Policy for Cochlear Implant Services	Wellmark BCBS Wellmark BCBS
BCBS Texas Cochlear Implants under Texas BCBS