Bill

Bill > A1173


NJ A1173

Requires health benefits coverage of hearing aids for all ages.


summary

Introduced
01/09/2024
In Committee
01/09/2024
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2024-2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill amends P.L.2008, c.126, "Grace's Law," by removing the specification that health insurers (health, hospital, and medical service corporations, commercial individual and group health insurers, health maintenance organizations, health benefits plans issued pursuant to the New Jersey Individual Health Coverage and Small Employer Health Benefits Programs, the State Health Benefits Program, and the NJ FamilyCare Program) provide coverage for expenses incurred in the purchase of a hearing aid only for covered persons who are 15 years old or younger. The bill generalizes the requirement so that health insurers must provide these benefits regardless of the covered person's age. In addition, the bill supplements P.L.2007, c.103 (C.52:14-17.46.1 et seq.) to require the School Employees' Health Benefits Commission to ensure that every contract purchased by the commission meets the same requirements for hearing aid coverage as "Grace's Law." The provisions of the bill will take effect 90 days after the date of enactment and will apply to all health benefits plans issued or renewed on or after that date.

AI Summary

This bill amends existing New Jersey law to require health insurers, including hospital, medical, and health service corporations, individual and group health insurers, health maintenance organizations, and the State Health Benefits Program and NJ FamilyCare Program, to provide coverage for the purchase of hearing aids for covered persons of any age, rather than only for those 15 years old or younger, as previously required. The bill also requires the School Employees' Health Benefits Commission to ensure that all contracts it purchases provide the same hearing aid coverage. The provisions of the bill will take effect 90 days after the date of enactment and apply to all health benefits plans issued or renewed on or after that date.

Committee Categories

Business and Industry

Sponsors (2)

Last Action

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee (on 01/09/2024)

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