Revision: Nov. 3, 2017, 11:23 a.m.
HB 1465 - AS INTRODUCED
2018 SESSION
18-2359
01/05
HOUSE BILL 1465
AN ACT relative to coverage for hearing aids under Medicare supplemental insurance.
SPONSORS: Rep. Bordenet, Ches. 5; Rep. Porter, Hills. 1; Rep. Bove, Rock. 5
COMMITTEE: Commerce and Consumer Affairs
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ANALYSIS
This bill requires Medicare supplemental insurance policies to provide coverage for hearing aids.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
18-2359
01/05
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Eighteen
AN ACT relative to coverage for hearing aids under Medicare supplemental insurance.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Coverage for Hearing Aids; Individual; Medicare Supplemental Insurance. Amend the introductory paragraph of RSA 415:6-p to read as follows:
415:6-p Coverage for Hearing Aids. Each insurer that issues or renews any individual policy or certificate for delivery in this state, or contract of accident or health insurance providing benefits for medical or hospital expenses, shall provide coverage for the professional services associated with the practice of fitting, dispensing, servicing, or sale of hearing instruments or hearing aids. The benefits included in this section shall not be subject to any greater deductible or coinsurance or copay than any other benefits provided by the insurer. Insurers are required to cover the cost of a hearing aid for each ear, as needed, as well as related services necessary to assess, select, and fit the hearing aid with a maximum for the hearing aid and related services of no less than $1,500 per hearing aid every 60 months. The insured may choose a higher price hearing aid and pay the difference in cost. The hearing aid shall be prescribed and dispensed by a licensed audiologist or hearing instrument specialist. Notwithstanding any provision of law or rule to the contrary, the coverage under this section shall not apply to the medical assistance program, pursuant to RSA 161 and RSA 167. This section shall apply to policies issued under RSA 415-F. In this section:
2 Coverage for Hearing Aids; Group; Medicare Supplemental Insurance. Amend RSA 415:18-u to read as follows:
415:18-u Coverage for Hearing Aids. Each insurer that issues or renews any policy or certificate for delivery in this state of group or blanket accident or health insurance providing benefits for medical or hospital expenses, shall provide coverage for the professional services associated with the practice of fitting, dispensing, servicing, or sale of hearing instruments or hearing aids by a hearing instrument dispenser or other hearing care professional. The benefits included in this section shall not be subject to any greater deductible or coinsurance or copay than any other benefits provided by the insurer. Insurers are required to cover the cost of a hearing aid for each ear, as needed, as well as related services necessary to assess, select, and fit the hearing aid with a maximum for the hearing aid and related services of no less than $1,500 per hearing aid every 60 months. The insured may choose a higher price hearing aid and pay the difference in cost. The hearing aid shall be prescribed and dispensed by a licensed audiologist or hearing instrument specialist. Notwithstanding any provision of law or rule to the contrary, the coverage under this section shall not apply to the medical assistance program, pursuant to RSA 161 and RSA 167. This section shall apply to policies issued under RSA 415-F. In this section:
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2019.