HI SCR3

Requests the State Auditor to assess the social and financial impacts of requiring health insurers to offer coverage for hearing aids under Hawaii Revised Statutes sections 23-51 and 23-52.

Directs the Auditor to identify the number of Hawaii residents who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind using national prevalence rates to determine the potential population impacted by hearing aid and cochlear implant costs.

Requires the Auditor to survey other states that have implemented hearing aid or cochlear implant coverage mandates and research current standards for replacement frequency and cost limitations used by Medicare, Medicaid, and Hawaii health plans.

Requests comparison of costs and utilization between cochlear implants and hearing aid devices, and examination of whether different replacement frequency standards apply to children versus adults.

Directs the Auditor to submit findings, recommendations, and any necessary implementing legislation to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the Regular Session of 2012.