Our son Nixon has had a rough start in life, and unless United Healthcare is willing to help him hear, he will continue to do so. At only 6 months of age, Nixon has battled with Jaundice, Thrombocytopenia (low platelet counts), Gastric Tube surgery, Open Heart Surgery, and Respiratory Failure. He also has severe to profound hearing loss. 

Nixon's doctors say a Cochlear Implant will greatly help him to hear in his right ear. However our insurance provider, United Healthcare, has denied Nixon his coverage for this procedure. When we found out that more than 90% of commercial health plans in the country do cover cochlear implant surgery, we decided to start this petition to fight for Nixon and other families like ours who aren't being treated fairly by insurance companies when it comes to hearing needs and services. This is a decision we think is best for our son and we should have the option to choose it for him.

All of Nixon's other procedures have been covered, so we can't understand why the gift of hearing would be denied. Nixon has been through so much and beat so many odds with the help of his doctors that his middle name is "Wildcard." We want to continue following his doctor's advice and need United Healthcare to help. The earlier he has this procedure, the quicker he'll become used to it and learning will become easier for him. 

The cost of the surgery without insurance is approximately $125,000 per ear. I work as an EMT and obviously don’t have that kind of money. The National Institute of Health says about 210,000 children and adults around the world have received these implants. In the United States roughly 42,600 adults and 28,400 children have received them. United Healthcare should cover this procedure for families who decide that cochlear implant surgery is the right choice for them.

United Healthcare should change their policy and allow Nixon, and other children like him, to have the gift of hearing. No one should have to go through what we have, especially when learning is so huge at Nixon's age.