Birth to 18 years, 18-21 years if attending high school
Every three years
Hearing aids and related services
*Note: links to State Legislative website only, not text of the bill
Wisconsin Passes Law Covering Hearing Aids & Implantable Hearing Devices
We received good news from HLA-WI’s advocate Carol Burns. She was thrilled to report that Wisconsin can be added to the list of states that requires insurer's to cover hearing aids and implantable hearing devices such as the BAHA and the Cochlear Implant, including associated services. It passed by voice vote in the Senate and was sent over to the Assembly where it passed by 80 to 16. It is a much stronger bill that the bill introduced last year, as it requires for children up to age 18. Carol reports this was a collaborative effort between HLAA advocates and parents in Hands and Voices. To learn more about the bill, visit, http://www.letkidshear.org/?q=node/20
New Jersey
The bill, S-467 / A-1571, known as “Grace’s Law,” will require all health insurers in New Jersey to provide coverage for medically-necessary hearing aids for children 15 years of age and younger. The bill requires insurers to provide this coverage every 24 months, and provide up to $1,000 per hearing aid. Under the bill, a covered individual could opt for a hearing aid priced higher than the maximum payable benefit, but would have to pay the difference.
Delaware
Signed into law June 18, 2008, House Bill 355 requires individual and group health insurance contracts to provide coverage for hearing aids of up to $1,000 per ear, every three years, for their customers who are 24 and under.
New Mexico
SB529 signed into law July 1 2007, mandating health insurance coverage for testing and dispensing HAs to children. Every three years coverage for hearing aids and related services for children from birth to age 18 and for children ages 18-21 who are still attending high school.
Louisiana
22.215.25 requires any new health insurance policy after January 1, 2004, and any existing policy on or before its renewal date but no later than January 1, 2005, to cover hearing aids for children under 18 years of age if the aids are fitted and dispensed by a licensed audiologist or hearing aid specialist. Benefits may be limited to $1,400 per ear with hearing loss every 36 months. An insuree may purchase a more expensive hearing aid and pay the difference to the hearing aid provider.
Maryland
MD Insurance Code Ann.. §15-838 Requires insurers to provide coverage for hearing aids for a minor child if the hearing aids are prescribed, fitted, and dispensed by a licensed audiologist; coverage may be limited to $1,400 per hearing aid for each hearing-impaired ear every 36 months; insured may choose a more expensive hearing aid and pay the difference.
Minnesota
Minn. Stat. 62Q.675. Requires coverage of hearing aids for children 18 years of age or younger if hearing loss is congenital and not correctable by other procedures covered in the policy, e.g., surgery; coverage limited to one hearing aid per affected ear every three years; may impose co-payment, co-insurance, or other limitations only if similar limitations apply to other coverages under the plan. Effective for policies issued on or after August 1, 2003.
Missouri
:§376.1220 R.S. Mo.Requires health insurance and Medicaid coverage for infant hear screening, re-screening (if necessary), audiological assessment and follow-up, and initial amplification, including hearing aids.
Oklahoma
36 Okl. .St. §6060.7Effective November 1, 2002, requires any group health insurance or health benefit plan to provide coverage for audiological services and hearing aids for children up to 18 years of age; adds requirement of hearing aid prescription and dispensing by a licensed audiologist; allows hearing aid benefit every 48 months without a dollar limit.
Rhode Island
After January 1, 2006, requires every individual or group health insurance contract and hospital or medical expense insurance policy to provide $400 coverage per hearing aid per ear every three years for children and adults; the insurer may choose the provider of hearing aids with which to contract; the contract or policy shall also provide, as an optional rider, additional coverage for hearing aids.
Kentucky
KRS 304.17.A-132 Requires health benefit plans, including those provided to state employees or their dependents, to cover the cost of a hearing aid for each ear, as needed, as well as related services necessary to assess, select, and fit the hearing aid; payment capped at $1400 per hearing aid every 36 months; insured able to choose a higher price hearing aid and pay the difference in cost; hearing aid must be prescribed by a licensed audiologist and dispensed by a licensed audiologist or hearing instrument specialist.
Connecticut
Conn.Gen. Statute 38a-490b and 38a-516b. Requires, after October 1, 2001, individual and group health insurance policies to provide coverage for hearing aids for children 12 years old or younger; classifies hearing aids as durable medical equipment and allows policies to limit the benefit to $1,000 every 24 months.
HEARING AID DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM Georgia
House Bill 655 established a Hearing Aid Distribution Program. Funded by the TRS
Income may not exceed 200% federal poverty guideline
GA resident at least one year
Recommended by licensed audiologist
18 or older. GA Medicaid covers children up to 18
Sign agreement (covering maintenance and repair issues)
