Fiscal Note
BILL # SB 1293 TITLE: health insurance; hearing aids; children
SPONSOR: Marsh STATUS: As Introduced
PREPARED BY: Rebecca Perrera
Description
The bill would require health insurers to cover 100% of the cost of hearing aids for children under 18 years old. The bill
would require the Department of Insurance and Financial (DIFI) to establish minimum coverage and allow health insurers
to charge the insured member for the difference if a higher cost hearing aid is selected. In addition, the bill would require
DIFI to biennially approve of a list of licensed audiologists.
Estimated Impact
The Arizona Department of Administration (ADOA) currently provides coverage for hear aids for its members through the
Health Insurance Trust Fund (HITF). Therefore, we anticipate there is no anticipated cost to the state under this proposal.
There would be no impact on AHCCCS's contracted health plans because AHCCCS would be exempt from the
requirements of the bill.
Analysis
The state employee health insurance plan is run by ADOA through HITF. The state uses a self-insured model, meaning that
the state is responsible for the direct costs of health insurance claims. The state's health care plan currently provides
coverage for hearing aids.
Local Government Impact
The impact of the bill on local governments’ health insurance costs cannot be determined in advance. The impact would
be dependent on current coverage as well as changes in utilization under the new hearing aid coverage requirement.
2/4/22