CI vs. SSI/SSD
posted in Cochlear implant, Current Affairs, Deaf, deaf culture |Just a cautionary tale that I’ve heard second hand. But the info comes from a lawyer very familiar with the SSI/SSD regulations and the deaf community so I wouldn’t discont this as rumor. However, I don’t have the time to investigate so maybe someone else can.
FYI, SSI/SSD can require a medical history update every 2 years.
This lawyer is hearing through the grapevine that many deaf people that have SSI/SSD and then have a Cochlear Implant are now starting to comply with the SSI/SSD rule to update their medical history. As soon as the SSI/SSD reviewer finds out that they now have a CI, they get cut off from SSI/SSD without much of a warning, on ground that they’re no longer “hearing-impaired” but instead their ears are “fixed” (repaired). Doesn’t matter how well one can hear with a CI, their hearing is “repaired” and now employable.
I personally know of one individual who truly relies on SSI and went through the hoops with Medicaid to pay for her CI surgery (finally scheduled for July after over a year process) This person was just informed of this and now has to make a gut-wrenching decision to decide which is more important - CI or SSI.
So if anyone has knowledge about this issue, would be nice to know if this is true or not.
