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Governor Rowland signed Public Act 171 on July 6, 2001. Formerly known as Senate Bill No. 325, the
bill as amended by House Amendment Schedule A contains the following passage:
Sec. 15. (NEW) Each individual health insurance
policy providing coverage of the type specified in subdivisions (1), (2), (4), (11) and (12) of section 38a-469 of the general
statutes delivered, issued for delivery, renewed, amended or continued in this state on or after October 1, 2001, shall provide
coverage for hearing aids for children twelve years of age or younger. Such hearing aids shall be considered durable medical
equipment under the policy and the policy may limit the hearing aid benefit to one thousand dollars within a twenty-four month
period.
This means that insurance companies are required to provide a minimum of coverage for hearing aids for children
12 years old and younger.
We appreciate the efforts of all the AG Bell members involved in making insurance coverage
a reality here in Connecticut and hope that the future will bring increased coverage for both children and adults. If you
are interested in this cause, please contact us to find out how you can help during the next legislative session. Special
thanks go to Rep. James Amann, Rep. Ann Dandrow, Rep. Peter Villano, Rep. Melody Currie, Diane Wixted from the Commission
on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and all the dedicated members of the CT Hearing Aid Insurance Coalition.
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