On March 15, 2025, Congress passed, and the President signed into law, H.R.1968 – Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025. An extension of the telehealth waivers allowing services by audiologists and speech-language pathologists was included in this legislation.
Additional details regarding telehealth services:
Remote Assist† for Cochlear™ Nucleus® Sound Processors:
Audiologists may continue to be eligible for reimbursement for remote care services within the Medicare telehealth services code set. Under this extension, Medicare beneficiaries have continued access to remote programming services (i.e., CPT® 92601-92604).
Remote Assistⱡ for Cochlear™ Baha® Sound Processors:
Bone conduction programming services were not part of the original telehealth code set; therefore, Remote Assist for Baha systems will remain a non-covered Medicare telehealth benefit.* We will monitor the upcoming Medicare Proposed Rule to identify potential consideration of additional services to the list of Medicare Covered Telehealth services.
Remote Check† for Cochlear Nucleus Sound Processors:
There is no change in coverage for Cochlear Remote Check services, which are non-covered under Medicare telehealth services due to the asynchronous data exchange.*
Interested in learning more about efforts to make telehealth coverage permanent?
Please visit the following professional society websites:
- Congress Extends Medicare Telehealth Authority Through September
- Federal Affairs – American Academy of Audiology
- Advocacy Resources
Need additional information?
- Coding Hotline at (800) 587-6910 or codingsupport@cochlear.com
- Reimbursement Resource Hub: The Hub is designed to give customers direct access to reimbursement resources, including CPT code information, reimbursement overviews and considerations, as well as FAQs.
- Market Access & Payer Strategy Managers: To identify your specific MAPS manager, please check here.
† Remote Check and Remote Assist for Nucleus sound processors are intended for ages 6 and older. Remote Check and Remote Assist features are only visible and accessible if they are enabled by a clinician. Clinicians should consider the suitability of the feature before enabling Remote Check and Remote Assist. Remote Check does not replace clinical care and does not involve remote programming of the sound processor. Only available at clinics that have enrolled in Remote Care.
ⱡ Remote Assist for Baha for compatible Baha sound processors is intended for a follow-up adjustment or setup of a replacement or upgrade sound processor for suitable qualified patients based on clinical judgment. Only available at clinics that have enrolled in Remote Care.
* Practices should be aware of how to implement financial liability notices for non-covered services by using Advanced Beneficiary Notice (ABNs) or waivers. If a patient’s health benefits do not include coverage of a remote care service, a private-pay arrangement may be an option so long as this is not prohibited by the patient’s plan. Patients should be informed in writing of their financial liability using waivers. For more information on ABN administration, please reference MLN006266 Medicare Advance Written Notices of Non-coverage.
This material is intended for health professionals. If you are a consumer, please seek advice from your health professional about treatments for hearing loss. Outcomes may vary, and your health professional will advise you about the factors which could affect your outcome. Always read the instructions for use. Not all products are available in all countries. Please contact your local Cochlear representative for product information.
CPT and CPT material are copyrights of American Medical Association (AMA): CPT copyright 2025 American Medical Association, all rights reserved. CPT is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. The information provided in this document is provided as guidelines only to address the unique nature of implantable hearing solutions technology. This information does not constitute reimbursement or legal advice. Cochlear Americas makes no representation or warranty regarding this information or its completeness, accuracy, fitness for any purpose, timeliness, or that following these guidelines will result in any form of coverage or reimbursement from any insurance company or federal health care program payer. The information presented herein is subject to change at any time. This information cannot and does not contemplate all situations that a health care professional may encounter.
To be sure that you have the most current and applicable information available for your unique circumstances, please consult your own experts and seek your own legal advice regarding your reimbursement and coding needs and the proper implementation of these guidelines. All products should be used according to their labeling. In all cases, services billed must be medically necessary, actually performed, and appropriately documented in the medical record.
The purpose of this document is to provide coding options for Cochlear Implants however, you should always check your payer for specific coding policies to ensure compliance.
