Cochlear implants now significantly cheaper

China has significantly reduced the cost of cochlear implants through its first centralized procurement program, cutting prices from more than 200,000 yuan ($27,400) to around 50,000 yuan, the National Healthcare Security Administration announced on Thursday.

Five domestic and international companies secured bids during a bulk-buying program held in Tianjin, with a procurement volume of 11,000 sets, according to a preliminary list from the administration. Each set includes a surgically implanted component and an external device.

Cochlear implants, widely considered the most effective treatment for severe hearing loss, work by directly stimulating auditory nerves, unlike traditional hearing aids that amplify sound. The devices are particularly beneficial for children with congenital hearing loss, potentially preventing speech disabilities and easing families' financial burdens.

The selected implants include standard models and advanced designs compatible with MRI scans and feature user-friendly external components. Discounted products will be available starting March 3, China's National Hearing Day, the administration said.

China has an estimated 27.8 million people with hearing disabilities, but only about 50,000 cochlear implants are performed annually, with high costs deterring many families.

Currently, more than 10 provincial-level regions, including Shanghai and the provinces of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, include cochlear implants in public health insurance coverage. The price reductions achieved through the procurement program paved the way for potential nationwide reimbursement, said Gao Xue, an official with the healthcare administration.

The procurement program also reduced prices for peripheral vascular stents, with 18 companies winning bids to supply 258,000 units. The stents, used to treat vascular diseases linked to diabetes, high cholesterol and other chronic conditions, will be available at reduced prices starting in May, officials said.