HI SB1494

Requires health insurance policies and hospital/medical service plan contracts issued on or after January 1, 2026, to provide optional coverage for hearing aids at a minimum benefit of $1,500 per hearing-impaired ear every thirty-six months.

Coverage applies to both conventional and bone conduction hearing aids and includes policyholders and covered individuals.

Allows insurers to impose deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and annual or maximum payment limits consistent with other similar coverage under the policy.

Permits policyholders to choose hearing aids priced higher than the benefit amount without financial or contractual penalties to the provider.

Requires insurers to include information about optional hearing aid coverage in literature, correspondence, and on their websites; effective date delayed to July 1, 2050.