SB 1156 - This act mandates insurance coverage for hearing aids for individuals age 65 and older and children. Coverage will be required by all health policies issued or renewed after January 1, 2003, and will not be subject to deductibles or copayments that exceed twenty percent of the actual covered service costs. Insurers are prohibited from requesting hearing acuity information from policyholders. This act does not apply to certain types of policies such as supplemental insurance policies or specified disease policies.

This act describes the type of hearing aids covered and requires the provision of replacement hearing aids for the and elderly person or a child at least every three years. Hearing aids, prescriptions and consumable supplies must be reimbursed at the usual and customary charges. A health insurer or health benefit plan subject to this mandate may limit the benefits payable for hearing aids to $2,500 per hearing aid for each ear with a hearing loss. An insured may choose a hearing aid higher than the benefit payable and may pay the difference between the price of the hearing aid and the benefit payable.

This act is similar to SB 838 (2002).
ERIN MOTLEY