Original Contribution THE COST OF COCHLEAR IMPLANTATION ON CHILDREN IN THE BULGARIAN HEALTH CARE SYSTEM

PURPOSE: In our attempt to contribute to the idea of costing in healthcare delivery we aim to determine the costs of cochlear implantation (CI) on infants and children undergoing diagnoses and hospital stay under the aegis of the Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Programme (UNHSP). METHODS: Under this programme, the charges for carrying out a UNHSP will have to be added to the resources for CI. RESULTS: The cost per newborn for UNHSP only is 2.4 Euro/newborn and minimally 8.6 Euro/newborn inclusive of CI Programme. CONCLUSIONS: The charges for carrying out a UNHS need to be added to the resources for CI. These funds should be provided after national programmes or through the National Health Insurance Organisation.