An Act relative to health insurance coverage for hearing aids
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill expands health insurance coverage for hearing aids in Massachusetts. It requires most health insurance plans, including those offered by employers and private insurers, to cover the cost of one hearing aid per hearing-impaired ear every 36 months, based on a written statement from a treating physician. The bill also mandates coverage for related services like audiologist evaluations and repairs, with a maximum copayment of $200.
Key provisions
- Requires most health insurance plans to cover the cost of one hearing aid per hearing-impaired ear every 36 months.
- Coverage is based on a written statement from a treating physician indicating the need for hearing aids.
- Covers related services such as audiologist evaluations, fitting, adjustments, and repairs.
- The maximum copayment for a hearing aid is $200.
- Hearing aids must be deemed best for the patient by an audiologist or hearing aid dispenser, regardless of brand.
- Coverage extends to non-group policies.
- Allows for new hearing aids to be covered if a physician determines the current hearing aid is no longer sufficient.
- Hearing aids are covered as durable medical equipment under the same terms as other covered equipment.
Who is affected
- Individuals with hearing impairments
- Health insurance companies
- Physicians
- Audiologists and hearing instrument specialists
Bill text
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Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
12 on record
Primary sponsor
Joint Committee on Financial Services
Cosponsors
James B. Eldridge
Jessica Ann Giannino
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