5179-S2 AMH HCW H2476.1
2SSB 5179 - H COMM AMD 
By Committee on Health Care & Wellness
NOT CONSIDERED 01/05/2018
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1.  "A new section is added to chapter 41.05 RCW to read as follows:
(1) Subject to appropriation, a health plan offered to employees and their covered dependents under this chapter issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2018, must include coverage for hearing instruments. Coverage must include no more than one new hearing instrument every five years and services and supplies such as the initial assessment, fitting, adjustment, and auditory training.
(2) The hearing instrument must be recommended by a licensed audiologist or hearing aid specialist and dispensed by a licensed audiologist or hearing aid specialist.
(3) For the purposes of this section, "hearing instrument" and "hearing aid specialist" have the same meaning as defined in RCW 18.35.010.
NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 74.09 RCW to read as follows:
(1) The medical assistance coverage offered under this chapter issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2018, must include coverage for hearing instruments when medically necessary. Coverage must include no more than one new hearing instrument every five years and services and supplies such as the initial assessment, fitting, adjustment, and auditory training. Coverage must include a new hearing instrument sooner than every five years if alterations to the existing hearing instrument cannot meet the needs of the patient.
(2) The hearing instrument must be recommended by a licensed audiologist or hearing aid specialist and dispensed by a licensed audiologist or hearing aid specialist.
(3) For purposes of this section, "hearing instrument" and "hearing aid specialist" have the same meaning as defined in RCW 18.35.010.
NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3.  If specific funding for the purposes of section 2 of this act, referencing section 2 of this act by bill or chapter number and section number, is not provided by June 30, 2017, in the omnibus appropriations act, section 2 of this act is null and void."
Correct the title.
EFFECT: Specifies that coverage for hearing instruments for Public Employees' Benefit Board enrollees and Medicaid enrollees is limited to no more than one hearing instrument every five years. Provides an exception to the five year limitation for Medicaid enrollees whose existing hearing instrument cannot be altered to meet their needs.
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