You asked if other states require insurance policies to cover hearing aids and if any extend coverage to adults.

SUMMARY

Six other states require insurance policies to cover hearing aids, subject to certain limitations: Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Oklahoma, and Rhode Island. Each of these states limits coverage to children, as follows: (1) children under age 18 (Kentucky, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Rhode Island); (2) minor child (Maryland); and (3) people under age 19 (Minnesota). (Beginning January 1, 2006, Rhode Island will eliminate the age limitation, expanding coverage to adults. ) A copy of each state law referenced is enclosed.

CONNECTICUT

Connecticut law requires health insurance policies and HMO contracts to cover hearing aids for children under age 13 as durable medical equipment. Policies may limit coverage to $ 1,000 in a 24-month period (CGS §§ 38a-490b and 38a-516b).

KENTUCKY

Kentucky law requires health benefit plans, including those issued by HMOs, to cover one hearing aid per hearing-impaired ear and all related services up to $ 1,400 every 36 months for children under age 18. The benefit is subject to all applicable copayments, coinsurance, deductibles, and out-of-pocket limitations. The 36-month limitation attaches to the insured child, and therefore a health benefit plan does not have to pay a claim for a hearing aid if less than three years prior any other health benefit plan provided the required coverage (Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 304. 17A-132 and 304. 17A-005(19)).

LOUISIANA

Louisiana law requires insurers, HMOs, and nonprofit health service plans to cover hearing aids for children under age 18. The entities may limit coverage to $ 1,400 per hearing aid for each hearing-impaired ear every 36 months. The provisions do not apply to individually underwritten, guaranteed renewable limited benefit health insurance policies (La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 22: 215. 25).

MARYLAND

Maryland law requires insurers, HMOs, and nonprofit health service plans to cover hearing aids for minor children. The entities may limit coverage to $ 1,400 per hearing aid for each hearing-impaired ear every 36 months (Md. Code Ann. , Insurance § 15-838).

MINNESOTA

Minnesota law requires a health plan, including those issued by HMOs, to cover hearing aids for children age 18 or younger for hearing loss due to functional congenital malformation of the ears that is not correctable by other covered procedures. Coverage is limited to one hearing aid per ear every three years. A plan may apply deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments generally applicable to other covered services to the hearing aid coverage (Minn. Stat. Ann. §§ 62Q. 675 and 62A. 011).

OKLAHOMA

Oklahoma law requires group health benefit plans, including those issued by HMOs, to cover audiological services and hearing aids for children up to age 18. The plans may limit the hearing aid benefit payable for each hearing-impaired ear to every 48 months if it provides for up to four additional ear molds per year for children up to age two. The law does not apply to (1) specified disease policies, (2) limited benefit coverage policies, or (3) groups with 50 or fewer employees (Okla. Stat. Tit. 36, § 6060. 7).

RHODE ISLAND

Rhode Island law currently requires health insurance policies and HMO contracts to (1) cover $ 1,000 per hearing aid for each ear every three years for children under age 18 and (2) offer an optional coverage rider for hearing aids (R. I. Gen. Laws §§ 27-18-60, 27-19-51, 27-20-46, and 27-41-63).

Effective January 1, 2006, Rhode Island law instead will require health insurance policies and HMO contracts to (1) cover $ 400 per hearing aid for each ear every three years and (2) offer, as an optional rider, additional hearing aid coverage. The offer of optional additional coverage does not apply to policies and contracts issued to small employers (2005 R. I. Pub. Laws 374).

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