HI SCR65

Requests the State Auditor to conduct an impact assessment of mandating health insurance coverage for hearing aids under Hawaii Revised Statutes sections 23-51 and 23-52.

Requires the assessment to evaluate both social and financial impacts of requiring health insurers to cover hearing aids in individual and group health insurance policies, hospital and medical service plans, and health maintenance organizations.

Mandated coverage would apply to accident and health or sickness insurance policies, excluding accident-only, specified disease, hospital indemnity, Medicare supplement, long-term care, dental, vision, and other limited benefit policies.

Auditor must submit findings, recommendations, and any necessary implementing legislation to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the 2014 Regular Session convenes.

Notes that hearing loss affects approximately one-third of Americans aged 65-75 and one-half of those over 75, with hearing aids costing between $2,000 and $3,000 or more, and that Medicare and most private insurers currently do not cover these costs.