SECOND REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE BILL NO. 1667

91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY


INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES HOLT (Sponsor), MOORE, O'CONNOR,

CRUMP AND BOUCHER.

Read 1st time January 28, 2002, and 1000 copies ordered printed.

TED WEDEL, Chief Clerk

3940L.01I


AN ACT

To amend chapter 376, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to health insurance coverage for hearing aids.




Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:

Section A. Chapter 376, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 376.1223, to read as follows:

376.1223. 1. Every health insurer and health benefit plan, as defined in section 376.1350, offering health benefit plans that are delivered, issued for delivery, continued or renewed after January 1, 2003, shall provide coverage for hearing examinations and hearing aids that are prescribed, fitted, and dispensed by a licensed audiologist to persons with hearing loss who are covered under a policy, contract, or plan.

2. The coverage provided by this section:

(1) May be limited to a maximum benefit of eighty percent of the actual cost of the covered items or services; and

(2) Shall be limited to reimbursement for covered items or services no more than once every three years.

3. This section shall not apply to a supplemental insurance policy, including a life care contract, accident-only policy, specified disease policy, hospital policy providing a fixed daily benefit only, Medicare supplement policy, long-term care policy, short-term major medical policies of six months or less duration, or any other supplemental policy as determined by the director of the department of insurance.



Missouri House of Representatives