Cost effectiveness of the multichannel cochlear implant.
Although most third-party payors presently fund cochlear implantation, some do not, and many cite the current lack of cost-effectiveness data as a major concern. Cost-utility analysis is a widely used method of medical technology assessment that permits cost-effectiveness comparisons between medical interventions by determining the cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) they provide. The cost per QALY for the cochlear implant was determined using clinical cost data and a health-utility outcome model based on the established communication gains attained with the device. Cochlear implantation costs approximately $15,600 per QALY provided. Sensitivity analysis, a technique that systematically varies the assumptions underlying the calculations, favorably with other medical interventions, such as coronary artery bypass grafting ($10,431) for three-vessel disease, $64,033 for single-vessel disease), the implantable defibrillator ($29,200), and cardiac transplantation ($38,970). This analysis indicates that the cochlear implant lies well within the cost-effectiveness range currently accepted by the American medical system.
Wyatt
J R
JR
John Hopkins University School of Medicine, Department of Otolarynology--Head and Neck Surgery, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Niparko
J K
JK
Rothman
M L
ML
deLissovoy
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000368:Aged; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003054:Cochlear Implants / Q000191:economics*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003638:Deafness / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans