BILL REQ. #: H-0406.2
| State of Washington | 59th Legislature | 2005 Regular Session |
Read first time 01/20/2005. Referred to Committee on Health Care.
AN ACT Relating to coverage for hearing aids; adding a new section to chapter 41.05 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 48.20 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 48.21 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 48.44 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 48.46 RCW; and creating a new section.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1 The legislature finds that the inability to
purchase hearing aids adversely affects hearing-impaired people of all
ages and impacts the employment and educational opportunities of
hearing-impaired children and adults in Washington state by limiting
communication options. To provide these individuals with equal
opportunity and protect the well-being of the population, the
legislature intends to establish insurance coverage provisions for
hearing aids.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2 A new section is added to chapter 41.05 RCW
to read as follows:
All state-purchased health care that provides coverage for
prostheses shall include coverage for hearing aids. Covered hearing
instruments and related services shall be provided by a licensed
audiologist or hearing instrument fitter/dispenser as authorized under
chapter 18.35 RCW.
This section shall not be construed to prevent the application of
standard health plan provisions applicable to other benefits such as
deductible or copayment provisions. This section does not limit the
authority of the state health care authority to negotiate rates and
contract with specific providers for the delivery of prostheses. This
section does not apply to medicare supplement policies or supplemental
contracts covering a specified disease or other limited benefits.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3 A new section is added to chapter 48.20 RCW
to read as follows:
An insurer that offers to any individual a health benefit plan that
provides coverage for prostheses shall include coverage for hearing
aids. Covered hearing instruments and related services shall be
provided by a licensed audiologist or hearing instrument
fitter/dispenser as authorized under chapter 18.35 RCW.
This section does not limit the authority of the state health care
authority to negotiate rates and contract with specific providers for
the delivery of prostheses. This section does not apply to medicare
supplement policies or supplemental contracts covering a specified
disease or other limited benefits.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4 A new section is added to chapter 48.21 RCW
to read as follows:
A group insurance contract or blanket disability insurance contract
that provides coverage for prostheses shall include coverage for
hearing aids. Covered hearing instruments and related services shall
be provided by a licensed audiologist or hearing instrument
fitter/dispenser as authorized under chapter 18.35 RCW.
This section shall not be construed to prevent the application of
standard health plan provisions applicable to other benefits such as
deductible or copayment provisions. This section does not limit the
authority of the state health care authority to negotiate rates and
contract with specific providers for the delivery of prostheses. This
section does not apply to medicare supplement policies or supplemental
contracts covering a specified disease or other limited benefits.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 5 A new section is added to chapter 48.44 RCW
to read as follows:
A health service contractor that provides coverage for prostheses
shall include coverage for hearing aids. Covered hearing instruments
and related services shall be provided by a licensed audiologist or
hearing instrument fitter/dispenser as authorized under chapter 18.35
RCW.
This section shall not be construed to prevent the application of
standard health plan provisions applicable to other benefits such as
deductible or copayment provisions. This section does not limit the
authority of the state health care authority to negotiate rates and
contract with specific providers for the delivery of prostheses. This
section does not apply to medicare supplement policies or supplemental
contracts covering a specified disease or other limited benefits.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 6 A new section is added to chapter 48.46 RCW
to read as follows:
A health maintenance organization that provides coverage for
prostheses shall include coverage for hearing aids. Covered hearing
instruments and related services shall be provided by a licensed
audiologist or hearing instrument fitter/dispenser as authorized under
chapter 18.35 RCW.
This section shall not be construed to prevent the application of
standard health plan provisions applicable to other benefits such as
deductible or copayment provisions. This section does not limit the
authority of the state health care authority to negotiate rates and
contract with specific providers for the delivery of prostheses. This
section does not apply to medicare supplement policies or supplemental
contracts covering a specified disease or other limited benefits.