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Who cares
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Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to insurance
- Print number 529a
- Amend and recommit to insurance
- Referred to insurance
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Requires all insurance policies to provide a certain amount of coverage for hearing aids
In Assembly Committee · Insurance · Sponsor Joseph Morelle
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the insurance law, in relation to providing coverage for hearing aids
Purpose
To provide insurance coverage for hearing aids so that patients who need these devices may affordably update their hearing aids on a two or three year basis depending on the age of the patient.
Summary of provisions
This bill would require health insurance companies in New York State to cover significant portions of the costs related to the acquisition of hearing aids. Such hearing aids would be purchased from registered New York State hearing aid dispensers and licensed audiologists.
Insured hearing impaired consumers, 16 years of age and older, would be able to receive a reimbursement of $1,000 every three years for the costs associated with the purchase of up to two hearing aids and other related expenses.
Hearing impaired children, 15 years of age and younger, would be able to have a reimbursement of $1,000 for services related to the purchase of up to two hearing aids every two years provided that their conditions have severely deteriorated and that their existing hearing aids no longer will be able to assist them.
Existing law
None.
Justification
Currently, many insurance companies in New York State do not provide coverage for the purchase of hearing aids. Middle class family members and senior citizens often cannot afford to pay the expenses related to obtaining these devices. New York will now be joining many other states (New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, Virginia...etc.) that have similar proposals before their respective legislatures.
There are an estimated 28 million Americans who have some form of hearing loss and only 20% take the essential steps needed to correct the situation. One of the major obstacles that prevent people with hearing loss from taking measures to improve their circumstances is the extremely high prices of hearing aids. Suggested retail costs of one hearing aid can range from $1,000 to $4,500.
This legislation would alleviate some of the financial burdens and remove some economic barriers on our working families and the elderly when attempting to purchase one of these necessary hearing enhancement devices.
Legislative history
2007-2008 - Insurance
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect July 1, 2011 and shall apply to all policies issued, modified or renewed on and after such date.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.