The following outlines state laws effective in 2020 and pending legislation that require Qualified Health Plans (QHPs) to provide hearing aid coverage.
Effective January 1, 2020, Connecticut passed a new law that requires Qualified Health Plans (QHPs) to provide hearing aid coverage for both children and adults. The law also amends the previous limit on the value of hearing aids that could be obtained within a 24-month period to one hearing aid per ear, regardless of cost. Under prior law, coverage could be limited to $1,000 within a 24-month period. Medicare products are not affected by this new mandates.
Effective January 1, 2020, Maine passed a new law that requires Qualified Health Plans (QHPs) to provide hearing aid coverage for both children and adults. The law also amends the previous limit on the value of hearing aids that could be obtained within a 36-month period to $3,000 per ear. Medicare products are not affected by this new mandate.
On January 31, 2020, the Virginia Senate passed S.B. 423 that requires Qualified Health Plans (QHPs) to provide coverage for hearing aids and related services for children 18 years and younger. The coverage shall include payment of the cost of one hearing aid per hearing-impaired ear every 24 months, up to $1,500 per hearing aid. The insured may choose a higher-priced hearing aid and may pay the difference in cost above $1,500, with no financial or contractual penalty to the insured or to the provider of the hearing aid. The bill passed on March 8, 2020 and is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2021.
