BILL REQ. #:  H-3626.1 

Read first time 01/22/2004.   Referred to Committee on Health Care.

     AN ACT Relating to coverage for hearing aids and cochlear implants; 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; and adding a new section to chapter 48.46 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 41.05 RCW to read as follows:
     All state-purchased health care that provides coverage for prostheses must include coverage for hearing aids and cochlear implants if the patient's physician or advanced registered nurse practitioner as authorized by the nursing care quality assurance commission under chapter 18.79 RCW or physician assistant under chapter 18.71A RCW recommends the hearing aid or cochlear implant.
     This section does not prevent the application of standard health plan provisions applicable to other benefits such as deductible or copayment provisions or 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. 2   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 must include coverage for hearing aids and cochlear implants if the patient's physician or advanced registered nurse practitioner as authorized by the nursing care quality assurance commission under chapter 18.79 RCW or physician assistant under chapter 18.71A RCW recommends the hearing aid or cochlear implant.
     This section does not prevent the application of standard health plan provisions applicable to other benefits such as deductible or copayment provisions or 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 48.21 RCW to read as follows:
     A group insurance contract or blanket disability insurance contract that provides coverage for prostheses must include coverage for hearing aids and cochlear implants if the patient's physician or advanced registered nurse practitioner as authorized by the nursing care quality assurance commission under chapter 18.79 RCW or physician assistant under chapter 18.71A RCW recommends the hearing aid or cochlear implant.
     This section does not prevent the application of standard health plan provisions applicable to other benefits such as deductible or copayment provisions or 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 48.44 RCW to read as follows:
     A health service contractor that provides coverage for prostheses must include coverage for hearing aids and cochlear implants if the patient's physician or advanced registered nurse practitioner as authorized by the nursing care quality assurance commission under chapter 18.79 RCW or physician assistant under chapter 18.71A RCW recommends the hearing aid or cochlear implant.
     This section does not prevent the application of standard health plan provisions applicable to other benefits such as deductible or copayment provisions or 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 48.46 RCW to read as follows:
     A health maintenance organization that provides coverage for prostheses must include coverage for hearing aids and cochlear implants if the patient's physician or advanced registered nurse practitioner as authorized by the nursing care quality assurance commission under chapter 18.79 RCW or physician assistant under chapter 18.71A RCW recommends the hearing aid or cochlear implants.
     This section does not prevent the application of standard health plan provisions applicable to other benefits such as deductible or copayment provisions or 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.