An Act Expanding Health Insurance Coverage For Hearing Aids.
With the enactment of SB00279, health insurance policies will be required to provide coverage for hearing aids, thereby addressing a significant health need. The bill designates hearing aids as durable medical equipment, which facilitates better access to these devices for individuals with hearing loss. Additionally, the bill empowers the Insurance Commissioner to establish regulations that will outline standards for hearing loss and a graduated deductible scale based on the severity of the hearing loss, impacting how insurance benefits are structured.
SB00279, titled 'An Act Expanding Health Insurance Coverage For Hearing Aids', proposes significant changes to health insurance policies in the state concerning coverage for hearing aids. The bill mandates that individual and group health insurance policies must offer coverage for hearing aids for individuals instead of just children twelve years of age or younger. This represents a broader inclusivity of coverage criteria, aiming to assist a larger demographic with hearing impairments.
While the bill mainly appears to address an important healthcare need, there may be underlying concerns in the current insurance landscape. For instance, the limitation of benefits to one thousand dollars within a twenty-four-month period may raise concerns about affordability and accessibility for individuals with varying levels of hearing impairment. Additionally, there may be discussions regarding the implications this change could have on premium costs and the overall viability of insurance plans offering such coverage.