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Minutes for HB2021 - Committee on Insurance
Short Title
Providing insurance coverage for hearing aids.
Minutes Content for Tue, Jan 31, 2017
Chairperson Vickrey opened the hearing on HB 2021.
Representative Mike Kiegerl, addressed the committee in support of the bill. He said the last time the bill went to the floor it received only 53 votes and he didn't know why the legislators would object to hearing aid coverage. He said hearing aids cost $5,000 and were not covered under insurance. Representative Kiegel said it would increase $.06 per contract to cover hearing aids regardless of mandates and it needed to be done because today's society was judged by how we cared for people.
Dr. Richard Meidinger testified in support of the bill. He said hearing loss, like he had, severely limited people. He said hearing loss impacted quality of life and social interaction. He added MRI scans revealed loss of hearing affected the brain. He described his personal experience with hearing loss and the way it hindered his ability to communicate with his patients. Mr. Meidinger said currently the VA covered hearing aids for veterans, and federal employees were allowed $2,500 for aids(Attachment 6) and (Attachment 7).
Robin Latham Simpson testified in support of the bill. She said she had worn hearing aids since 19 years of age due to an inherited disease. She added she had to pay for replacements at age 24 which cost her $6,000 and she made sacrifices to purchase them. In addition, she was expecting a child who had a chance of having the same disease. Ms. Simpson said hearing aids were not elective and people needed them.(Attachment 8)
Robert Cooper testified as a neutral proponent of the bill. He said although he supported the bill, he did not support the way the bill was written. Specifically, he was concerned about the quality of service by hearing aid providers. He said persons diagnosed and property fitted with aids had a better qualify of life and could remain productive in their employment. Without intervention, a person could become depressed and withdrawn. Uncorrected, it led to a faster loss of hearing. He said other states covered children's' aids but only 4 states covered adults (Attachment 9)
Irene Wagner and Susie Ternes provided written testimony (Attachment 10) and (Attachment 11)
Chairperson Vickrey asked if there were any questions.
Representative Eplee asked Mr. Cooper why he said mutual as far as agreement.
Mr. Cooper said they represented a variety of people on the board (KCDHH) with differing views and expertise. There were concerns that the bill was not clear. Although they supported the bill, it needed more discussion.
Representative Parker asked if other states had model regulations and which state was the best.
Mr. Cooper answered a common model offered $1,700 in coverage with individuals having a choice of devices. He said it was important that there be a cap on services.
Representative Neighbor asked if the aid didn't fit properly could the consumer have it replaced.
Mr. Cooper said there was normally a 30-day satisfaction period for replacement without charge.
Representative Corbet asked what the cost would be if this was a mandate.
Mr. Cooper said coverage could assist with the cost. Currently, the demand was low but if more people needed aids, there was a chance the hearing aid producers and manufacturers could lower costs because of the higher demand. The four states that offered coverage and the 22 states that offered coverage for children had not seen a price change.
Chairperson Vickrey closed the hearing on HB 2021.
