Bill > SB117

This bill amends Delaware's health insurance laws to expand hearing aid coverage for individuals younger than 24 years old across individual, group, and state employee health insurance plans. The legislation requires insurers to provide comprehensive coverage for hearing aids, including at least one hearing aid per ear every three years (or sooner if medically necessary), as well as annual earmold replacements when recommended by a hearing care professional. The bill broadens the definition of "hearing aid" to include related parts, attachments, and accessories, and mandates that coverage include professional services for prescribing, fitting, and dispensing hearing aids. Previously, insurers were only required to cover up to $1,000 per hearing aid, which often fell short of the total cost of pediatric hearing aids that can range from $3,000 to $5,000. The new requirements aim to make hearing aids more accessible for children and support their language development, with the changes applying to all policies issued or renewed after December 31, 2026. The bill specifically excludes certain limited-benefit health insurance policies from these requirements, such as accident-only, disability income, and Medicare supplement plans.

Business and Industry

https://legis.delaware.gov/BillDetail?LegislationId=142158