Bill Text: MI HB4963 | 2023-2024 | 102nd Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Insurance: health benefits; hearing related services and devices; require coverage. Amends 1956 PA 218 (MCL 500.100 - 500.8302) by adding sec. 3406aa. TIE BAR WITH: HB 4944'23
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 11-2)
Status: (Introduced) 2024-02-13 - Referred To Second Reading [HB4963 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2023-HB4963-Introduced.html
HOUSE BILL NO. 4963
A bill to amend 1956 PA 218, entitled
"The insurance code of 1956,"
(MCL 500.100 to 500.8302) by adding section 3406aa.
the people of the state of michigan enact:
Sec. 3406aa. (1) Subject to subsection (3), an insurer that delivers, issues for delivery, or renews in this state a health insurance policy shall provide coverage for hearing-related services and devices for a qualified enrollee.
(2) An insurer may subject coverage under this section to the deductibles and coinsurance of the health insurance policy.
(3) As used in this section:
(a) "Audiologist" means that term as defined in section 16801 of the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.16801.
(b) "Hearing aid" means a wearable, nondisposable instrument or device, including any parts, attachments, or accessories, designed or offered to aid or compensate impaired human hearing.
(c) "Hearing related services and devices" includes all of the following:
(i) Audiological examinations and services necessary to assess, select, and adjust or fit a hearing aid to ensure optimal performance.
(ii) Hearing aid evaluations, programming, conformity evaluations or prescription verification measures, servicing, maintenance, and repairs.
(iii) Remote microphones.
(iv) Earmolds and replacement earmolds.
(v) Auditory training and speech language habilitation by an audiologist and speech language pathologist.
(d) "Physician" means either of the following:
(i) A physician licensed to engage in the practice of medicine under part 170 of the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.17001 to 333.17097.
(ii) A physician licensed to engage in the practice of osteopathic medicine and surgery under part 175 of the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.17501 to 333.17556.
(e) "Qualified enrollee" means an enrollee to whom both of the following apply:
(i) A physician has medically evaluated the enrollee, determined that the enrollee is a candidate for a hearing aid, and referred the enrollee to an audiologist for evaluation, selection, and fitting.
(ii) The enrollee is less than 19 years of age.
Enacting section 1. This amendatory act applies to health insurance policies delivered, executed, issued, amended, adjusted, or renewed in this state, or outside of this state if covering residents of this state, beginning 180 days after the date this amendatory act is enacted into law.
Enacting section 2. This amendatory act does not take effect unless Senate Bill No.____ or House Bill No. 4944 (request no. 02605'23) of the 102nd Legislature is enacted into law.
