CERTIFICATION OF ENROLLMENT
ENGROSSED SECOND SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5179
Chapter 159, Laws of 2018
65th Legislature
2018 Regular Session
HEARING INSTRUMENTS--PUBLIC EMPLOYEE HEALTH PLAN AND MEDICAID COVERAGE
EFFECTIVE DATE: June 7, 2018
ENGROSSED SECOND SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5179
AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE
Passed Legislature - 2018 Regular Session
State of Washington
65th Legislature
2017 Regular Session
By Senate Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Bailey, Keiser, Palumbo, Hasegawa, and Conway)
READ FIRST TIME 02/24/17.
AN ACT Relating to requiring coverage for hearing instruments under public employee and medicaid programs; adding a new section to chapter 41.05 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 74.09 RCW; and creating a new section.
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:
(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, 2019, must include coverage for hearing instruments. Coverage must include a 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, hearing aid specialist, or a licensed physician or osteopathic physician who specializes in otolaryngology and dispensed by a licensed audiologist, hearing aid specialist, or a licensed physician or osteopathic physician who specializes in otolaryngology.
(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, 2019, must include coverage for hearing instruments when medically necessary. Coverage must include a new hearing instrument every five years, a new hearing instrument when alterations to the existing hearing instrument cannot meet the needs of the patient, 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, hearing aid specialist, or a licensed physician or osteopathic physician who specializes in otolaryngology and dispensed by a licensed audiologist, hearing aid specialist, or a licensed physician or osteopathic physician who specializes in otolaryngology.
(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, 2018, in the omnibus appropriations act, section 2 of this act is null and void.
Passed by the Senate March 5, 2018.
Passed by the House February 28, 2018.
Approved by the Governor March 21, 2018.
Filed in Office of Secretary of State March 23, 2018.
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