MS HB424

Requires all health insurance policies, contracts, and managed care entities issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2020 to provide coverage for hearing aids and related services for dependent children under 21 years of age who are deaf or hearing impaired.

Coverage must be provided when a physician prescribes treatment and a licensed audiologist provides fitting and dispensing, and must include all hearing examinations and tests.

Limits deductibles and coinsurance for covered children to amounts no greater than those for similar benefits, and prohibits denial of coverage based solely on prior hearing loss diagnosis.

Restricts coverage to one hearing aid per hearing-impaired ear every 36 months, and requires reimbursement rates equal to or greater than Medicaid rates.

Allows referrals to nonparticipating providers only when appropriate participating providers are unavailable, with no additional cost to covered children beyond standard copayments.