Cochlear Implant Activation at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago / May 16, 2014.
WHO:
Chicago area college freshman Alexandra Falkiewicz, 18, received cochlear implants with insurance provided through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace after her parents’ employer plan refused to cover her surgery.
WHAT:
Alexandra – who plans on attending medical school -- experienced a decline in her hearing during high school and sought cochlear implantation. She had done well with hearing aids but with the decline in her hearing, she struggled every day at school. Her family wanted her to receive cochlear implants before she started college but their insurance plan denied coverage indicating that hearing is optional. She has waited over a year to have this much needed surgery. On April 21st, Nancy Young, MD, Medical Director of Audiology and Cochlear Implant Programs at Lurie Children’s, performed her surgery.
Alexandra and her mother Irma, with surgeon Nancy Young MD.
WHEN:
Activation of Alexandra’s cochlear implants: Friday, May 16 at 12:30PM
WHERE:
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
WHY:
American Cochlear Implant Alliance is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving access to cochlear implantation through research, advocacy and awareness. Cochlear implants provide life-changing opportunities for appropriate children and adults who do not benefit sufficiently from hearing aids. The ACI Alliance is working to ensure that insurance fully covers this cost effective treatment. The Alliance trains advocates and coordinates state and national initiatives to address insurance coverage.
For more information visit www.acialliance.org
