Summary: These are identical bills which require health insurance to cover hearing aids for children through age 19. Insurers would have to cover replacement hearing aids at least every three years. The insurer could limit the benefit to no less than $1,250 per hearing aid for each ear with a hearing loss. Insurers would also be prohibited from asking for hearing acuity information from or about individuals applying for coverage.

Discussion: Appropriate intervention for children with hearing loss is essential for language development and educational achievement. Hearing aids are an integral part of that intervention. Unfortunately, many health plans do not cover hearing aids and children languish with inappropriate hearing aids or go without because families simply cannot afford the cost and there is no other funding source.