LCD/NCD Portal

NCD50.2 ELECTRONIC SPEECH AIDS

 

Effective Date of this Version

• This is a longstanding national coverage determination.

• The effective date of this version has not been posted.

 

Benefit Category

• Prosthetic Devices.

• Note: This may not be an exhaustive list of all applicable Medicare benefit categories for this item or service.

 

Item/Service Description

• There are two types of speech aids.

• One operates by placing a vibrating head against the throat; the other amplifies sound waves through a tube which is inserted into the user's mouth.

• A patient who has had radical neck surgery and/or extensive radiation to the anterior part of the neck would generally be able to use only the "oral tube" model or one of the more sensitive and more expensive "throat contact" devices.

 

Indications and Limitations of Coverage

• Electronic speech aids are covered under Part B as prosthetic devices when the patient has had a laryngectomy or his larynx is permanently inoperative.

 

Cross Reference

• The Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, Chapter 15,

 

 

Medicare NCD Link