HI SB535

Requires individual and group health insurance policies issued or renewed after December 31, 2018 to provide coverage for hearing aids for policyholders and covered individuals, excluding limited benefit policies.

Establishes a minimum benefit amount per hearing aid per hearing-impaired ear every thirty-six months, with unused benefits able to be carried forward for replacement hearing aids.

Allows policyholders to choose hearing aids priced higher than the benefit amount without financial or contractual penalty to the hearing aid provider.

Permits coverage to be subject to standard deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and annual or maximum payment limits consistent with other similar coverage under the policy.

Requires health insurers to notify policyholders of hearing aid coverage in writing by December 31, 2019, and applies the same requirements to hospital/medical service plans and health maintenance organizations.