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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2017 - 2018
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | June 18, 2019 09:56 AM |
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| From: | Representative Liz Hanbidge |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Insurance Coverage of Hearing Aids |
| According to the US Census Bureau, 1.1 million Pennsylvanians – 8.6% of the state’s population – live with hearing loss. Additionally, approximately 15% of American adults report trouble hearing. Among adults aged 70 and older who could benefit from hearing aids, fewer than 30% have ever used them. In Pennsylvania, hearing aids are only required to be covered for Medicaid recipients under age 21, while all other populations in need of hearing assistance are forced to pay for hearing aids out-of-pocket. Hearing aids range in costs of $1,000 - $4,000 – with an average cost of $2,300. To address these high out-of-pocket costs and help Pennsylvanians who struggle with hearing loss, I will be introducing a bill that would require health insurance policies to provide coverage for hearing aids and a resolution that would urge Congress to take action on legislation that will expand Medicare coverage to include hearing aids. Please join me in this effort to improve the health and wellness of Pennsylvanians suffering from hearing loss by mitigating the exorbitant cost of hearing aids, especially costs for older Pennsylvanians living on a fixed income. |
Document #1
Introduced as HB2105
| Description: | This bill would require health insurance policies in the Commonwealth to provide coverage for hearing aids. |
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| View Attachment | ||
Document #2
Introduced as HR628
| Description: | This resolution would urge Congress to take action and expand Medicare coverage to include hearing aids. |
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| View Attachment | ||