Senate Passes Legislation for Kids with Hearing Loss
By: Amanda Womac
Published May 26, 2011

Through our hearing aid assistance program, the Hearing and Speech Foundation provides financial assistance to economically-disadvantaged children and adults with hearing-impairments obtain the hearing aids and services they need to function in a hearing world.

Ironically, most insurance companies cover the cost for a hearing test, but rarely cover the cost of hearing aids, which can run an average of $3,500 per pair.

Tennessee has one of the highest poverty rates in the nation. Many Tennesseans, with or without insurance, are unable to afford the hearing aids and services they need.

However, a bill passed in the Tennessee State Senate Thursday, May 5 will help alleviate some of the financial burden for parents with hearing-impaired children.

The bill, if signed into law by Gov. Haslam, will require individual and group health insurance policies issued or renewed after Jan. 1, 2010, to pay up to $1,000 per pair for hearing aids for children under the age of 18. Companies would be required to pay when the child needs hearing aids and once every three years if the child’s hearing worsens over that time.

If signed into law, the bill will require individual and group health insurance policies issued or renewed after Jan. 1, 2012, to pay for hearing aids — up to $1,000 per ear — for children up to age 18 when needed and once every three years if the child’s hearing has substantially worsened during that time.

Sen. Doug Overbey of Maryville sponsored the bill and supporters say this bill will go a long way to provide much-needed support for children. Opponents of the bill, who disapprove of any health coverage mandate, include the National Federation of Independent Businesses.

For more on the story, please click on the following links:
KnoxNews.com (May 5 and May 6)
Nashville Public Radio
Forbes.com