Bill > A06132

This bill requires insurance policies that provide hospital, medical, or surgical coverage to include mandatory coverage for hearing aids under specific conditions. The bill defines a "hearing aid" as a medically-prescribed, non-disposable device designed to optimize hearing and listening skills. To qualify for coverage, hearing aids must be fitted and dispensed by a licensed audiologist certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), and must be preceded by medical clearance from a licensed physician and an audiological evaluation. The bill limits insurance providers to paying up to $5,000 per hearing aid for each hearing-impaired ear every 24 months, but does not prevent insurers from offering more generous coverage. The legislation amends three sections of the insurance law to apply these requirements across different types of insurance policies, and will take effect on the first day of January following its passage, applying to all policies issued, renewed, modified, altered, or amended on or after that date.

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https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A6132