title: [Cost Analysis of Cochlear Implantation in Adults].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The number of implantation of cochlear implants has steadily risen in recent years. Reasons for this are an extension of indication criteria, demographic change, increased quality of life needs and greater acceptance. The consequences are rising expenditure for statutory health insurance (SHI) for cochlear implantation. A detailed calculation of lifetime costs from SHI's perspective for postlingually deafened adolescents and adults is essential in estimating future cost developments.
  
  
  METHODS
  Calculations are based on accounting data from the Hannover Medical School. With regard to further life expectancy, average costs of preoperative diagnosis, surgery, rehabilitation, follow-ups, processor upgrades and electrical maintenance were discounted to their present value at age of implantation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There is an inverse relation between cost of unilateral cochlear implantation and age of initial implantation. From SHI's perspective, the intervention costs between 36,001 and 68,970 € ($ 42,504-$ 81,429). The largest cost components are initial implantation and processor upgrades.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Compared to the UK the cost of cochlear implantation in Germany seems to be significantly lower. In particular the costs of, rehabilitation and maintenance in Germany cause only a small percentage of total costs. Also, the costs during the first year of treatment seem comparatively low. With regard to future spending of SHI due to implant innovations and associated extension of indication, increasing cost may be suspected.
authors.affiliation: Lehrstuhl für Allgemeine Betriebswirtschaftslehre und Gesundheitsmanagement, Universität Greifswald, Greifswald.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Raths
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lenarz
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lesinski-Schiedat
authors.affiliation: Lehrstuhl für Allgemeine Betriebswirtschaftslehre und Gesundheitsmanagement, Universität Greifswald, Greifswald.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Flessa
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003054:Cochlear Implants / Q000191:economics; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D005858:Germany; D005102:Health Expenditures / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D008017:Life Expectancy / Q000639:trends; D015993:Life Tables; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000191:economics* / Q000639:trends; D012086:Reoperation / Q000191:economics; D055815:Young Adult