PREFILED JAN 03 2024
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REFERENCE TITLE: insurance coverage; hearing aids; children |
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State of Arizona House of Representatives Fifty-sixth Legislature Second Regular Session 2024
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HB 2112 |
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Introduced by Representatives Willoughby: Bliss; Senator Shope
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An Act
amending title 20, chapter 4, article 9, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 20-1057.20; relating to health care services organizations.
(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:
Section 1. Title 20, chapter 4, article 9, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 20-1057.20, to read:
20-1057.20. Hearing aids; evidences of coverage; children; definitions
A. A health care services organization that issues, amends, delivers or renews an evidence of coverage shall provide coverage for a hearing aid and any related service for the full cost of one hearing aid per hearing impaired ear up to $2,200 every thirty-six months for an enrollee who is under eighteen years of age or who is under twenty-one years of age if the enrollee is still attending high school. The enrollee may choose a higher priced hearing aid and may pay the difference in cost above the $2,200 limit without financial or contractual penalty to the enrollee or the provider of the hearing aid.
B. A health care services organization may make available to the enrollee the option of purchasing additional hearing aid coverage that exceeds the services described in this section.
C. The hearing aid coverage shall include fitting and dispensing services, providing ear molds, as necessary to maintain optimal fit, and any related services as provided by a licensed health care provider.
D. This section does not apply to short-term travel, accident-only or limited or specified disease policies.
E. Coverage for hearing aids may be subject to deductibles and coinsurance consistent with those imposed on other benefits under the same evidence of coverage.
F. For the purposes of this section:
1. "hearing aid" means durable medical equipment that is of a design and circuitry to optimize audibility and listening skills in the environment commonly experienced by children.
2. "Licensed health care provider" means a physician who is licensed pursuant to title 32, chapter 13 or 17, an audiologist who is licensed pursuant to title 36, chapter 17 and a hearing aid dispenser who is licensed pursuant to title 36, chapter 17.