Medicare Rescinds Proposed Cut in Reimbursement for Audiologists
On August 8th, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published its proposed reimbursement schedule for audiologists that would have reduced payments by 21.3% over a four year period. Beginning in 2006, it was proposed that our reimbursement be reduced by 5.8%. These figures represented a reduction four times greater than any other health care provider. Chiropractors were second to audiologists with a proposed reduction of 5.3% over a four year period.

ADA was the only organization to reach out to members to ask them to write to CMS and articulate why such a drastic reduction was unjustified. You responded in great numbers, and we are pleased to tell you that the proposed reduction was rescinded. CMS will be reviewing our fee structure and a determination will be made concerning an appropriate reimbursement. The profession will have input in this process, and we will work on your behalf to ensure that CMS understands the value of audiologic care. More information concerning this topic will be in the upcoming issue of Feedback.

Thank you very much for your help with this vital issue! Your participation and input to CMS made a difference.

ACAE Board Position Open – Call for Suggestions
The Accreditation Commission for Audiology Education (ACAE) was established to develop rigorous standards and a unique, innovative and high quality accreditation process exclusively for Au.D. academic programs.

Although the ACAE Board of Directors elects members to its Board, five members are recommended by ADA and five members are recommended by AAA.

If you have a special interest in the accreditation of Au.D. programs and would be willing to serve on the ACAE Board, please contact Craig Johnson at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by December 1st for more information.

Request for Responses: Student Survey
This survey is being distributed to the ADA membership to assist an Au.D. Capstone Project currently in progress at the Central Institute for the Deaf at Washington University Medical Center. All ADA members are invited to respond.

Your participation in this survey will help determine current dispensing trends of Hearing Assistance Technology (HAT), also know as Assistive Listening Devices (ALD). This survey only takes 10 minutes to complete, but the results are critical in assessing current dispensing activity of amplification devices beyond hearing instruments.

This user-friendly survey is web-based and conducted by a third party vendor. Your response will be kept completely confidential. Below is a link to the online survey. Your name will not be attached to any results.

We appreciate your willingness to participate and value your feedback. If you have any questions, please contact Abigail Keller, Au.D. student, Central Institute for the Deaf at Washington University Medical Center, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

To respond to the survey, please click on this link or copy and paste the link into your browser here:

Thank you for your participation.
Craig W. Johnson, Au.D. President

DISCLAIMER: The ADA is dedicated to leadership in advancing practitioner excellence, high ethical standards, professional autonomy, hearing technology, and sound business practices in the provision of quality audiological care.