23 MAC Pt. 218, Ch. 1, R. 1.3
Implantable and Non-Implantable Auditory Osseointegrated Device (AOD)
Cite as 23 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 218, Ch. 1, R. 1.3
Implantable and Non-Implantable Auditory Osseointegrated Device (AOD)
A. The Division of Medicaid defines an implantable auditory osseointegrated device (AOD) as a
surgically implantable hearing system which transmits sound vibrations through a sound
processor to the inner ear by direct bone conduction through the skull.
1. The Division of Medicaid covers implantable AODs in accordance with the Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) approved labeling in an Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC)
and the outpatient hospital setting for beneficiaries five (5) years of age and older with
conductive, mixed, or single-sided sensorineural hearing loss who can benefit from sound
amplification, meets FDA approved audiologic criteria for the prescribed implantable
AOD, and meets at least one (1) of the following conditions:
a) Congenital, surgical, or acquired malformation(s) of the external ear canal or middle
ear,
b) Severe chronic otitis externa or otitis media with persistent otorrhea and documented
failure with air conducted hearing aids,
c) Tumors of the external ear canal and/or tympanic cavity,
d) Dermatitis of the external canal, or
e) Other anatomic or medical conditions in which an air conduction hearing aid is
contraindicated.
2. The Division of Medicaid does not cover implantable AODs for beneficiaries:
a) Under five (5) years of age,
b) With bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, or
c) With insufficient bone volume or bone quality to support implant placement.
B. The Division of Medicaid defines a non-implantable AOD as a sound processor attached to
the skull using a hard or soft headband in which sound vibrations are transmitted
transcutaneously through the bones of the skull to the inner ear.
1. The Division of Medicaid covers non-implantable AODs in accordance with the FDA
approved labeling when prior authorized by a Utilization Management/Quality
Improvement Organization (UM/QIO), the Division of Medicaid, or designee for
beneficiaries with conductive, mixed, or single-sided sensorineural hearing loss who can
benefit from sound amplification, meets FDA approved audiologic criteria for the
prescribed non-implantable AOD and meets at least one (1) of the conditions listed in
Miss. Admin. Code Part 218, Rule 1.3.A.1.a)-e).
2. The Division of Medicaid does not cover the following:
a) Non-implantable AODs for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss,
b) Replacement of lost or stolen processors, or
c) Non‐medically necessary accessories.
C. The Division of Medicaid covers batteries, repairs, and external replacement parts for
implantable and non-implantable AODs as outlined in Miss. Admin. Code Part 209, Rule
1.24.