AZ SB1293

Department of Insurance shall annually establish minimum coverage rates and limits for hearing aids for children 18 years old or younger, providing at least 100% coverage of reasonable and customary hearing aids per deaf or hard of hearing ear.

Department shall establish an approved list of licensed audiologists and hearing aid dispensers every two years that health insurers must use to provide services to subscribers and enrollees.

All health insurance policies (subscription contracts, health maintenance organization evidence of coverage, disability policies, group disability policies, blanket disability policies, and health benefits plans) must provide hearing aid coverage in accordance with the department's established rates.

Hearing loss must be documented by a licensed physician or audiologist for coverage to apply in each ear requiring a hearing aid.

Enrollees and insureds may choose higher-priced hearing aids and pay the difference above minimum coverage without financial or contractual penalties to themselves or hearing aid providers.