Introduced Version






HOUSE BILL No. 1451

_____


DIGEST OF INTRODUCED BILL



Citations Affected: IC 5-10-8-7.4 ; IC 27-8-24.1 ; IC 27-13-7-18.

Synopsis: Insurance coverage for hearing aids. Requires a state employee health benefit plan, a policy of accident and sickness insurance, and a health maintenance organization contract to provide hearing aid coverage for individuals less than 18 years of age.

Effective: July 1, 2003.





Whetstone




    January 14, 2003, read first time and referred to Committee on Appointments and Claims.







Introduced

First Regular Session 113th General Assembly (2003)


PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana Constitution) is being amended, the text of the existing provision will appear in this style type, additions will appear in this style type, and deletions will appear in this style type.
Additions: Whenever a new statutory provision is being enacted (or a new constitutional provision adopted), the text of the new provision will appear in this style type. Also, the word NEW will appear in that style type in the introductory clause of each SECTION that adds a new provision to the Indiana Code or the Indiana Constitution.
Conflict reconciliation: Text in a statute in this style type or this style type reconciles conflicts between statutes enacted by the 2002 Regular or Special Session of the General Assembly.

HOUSE BILL No. 1451



    A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning insurance.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:

SOURCE: IC 5-10-8-7.4; (03)IN1451.1.1. -->     SECTION 1. IC 5-10-8-7.4 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2003]: Sec. 7.4. (a) As used in this section, "covered individual" means an individual who is:
        (1) less than eighteen (18) years of age; and
        (2) entitled to coverage under a state employee health benefit plan.
    (b) As used in this section, "hearing aid" means a nondisposable device that is of a design and circuitry to optimize audibility and listening skills in the environment commonly experienced by children.
    (c) As used in this section, "hearing aid coverage" means coverage for a hearing aid that is:
        (1) prescribed;
        (2) fitted; and
        (3) dispensed;
for a covered individual by an audiologist licensed under

IC 25-35.6.
    (d) As used in this section, "state employee health benefit plan" refers to:
        (1) a self-insurance program established under section 7(b) of this chapter to provide group health coverage; or
        (2) a contract for health services with a prepaid health care delivery plan that is entered into or renewed under section 7(c) of this chapter.
    (e) A state employee health benefit plan shall provide hearing aid coverage for a covered individual.
    (f) The coverage required under this section may be limited to one thousand four hundred dollars ($1,400) for each hearing aid for each hearing impaired ear every thirty-six (36) months.

SOURCE: IC 27-8-24.1; (03)IN1451.1.2. -->     SECTION 2. IC 27-8-24.1 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2003]:
    Chapter 24.1. Coverage for Hearing Aids
    Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "covered individual" means an individual who is:
        (1) less than eighteen (18) years of age; and
        (2) entitled to coverage under a policy of accident and sickness insurance.
    Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "hearing aid" means a nondisposable device that is of a design and circuitry to optimize audibility and listening skills in the environment commonly experienced by children.
    Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "hearing aid coverage" means coverage for a hearing aid that is:
        (1) prescribed;
        (2) fitted; and
        (3) dispensed;
for a covered individual by an audiologist licensed under IC 25-35.6.
    Sec. 4. As used in this chapter, "policy of accident and sickness insurance" has the meaning set forth in IC 27-8-5-1.
    Sec. 5. A policy of accident and sickness insurance must provide hearing aid coverage for a covered individual.
    Sec. 6. The coverage required under this chapter may be limited to one thousand four hundred dollars ($1,400) for earch hearing aid for each hearing impaired ear every thirty-six (36) months.

SOURCE: IC 27-13-7-18; (03)IN1451.1.3. -->     SECTION 3. IC 27-13-7-18 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY

1, 2003]: Sec. 18. (a) As used in this section, "hearing aid" means a nondisposable device that is of a design and circuitry to optimize audibility and listening skills in the environment commonly experienced by children.
    (b)
As used in this section, "hearing aid coverage" means coverage for a hearing aid that is:
        (1) prescribed;
        (2) fitted; and
        (3) dispensed;
for an enrollee by an audiologist licensed under IC 25-35.6.

     (c) An individual contract or a group contract with a health maintenance organization that provides coverage for basic health care services must provide hearing aid coverage for an enrollee who is less than eighteen (18) years of age.
    (d) The coverage required under this section may be limited to one thousand four hundred dollars ($1,400) for each hearing aid for each hearing impaired ear every thirty-six (36) months.

SOURCE: ; (03)IN1451.1.4. -->     SECTION 4. [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2003] (a) IC 5-10-8-7.4 , as added by this act, applies to a state employee health benefit plan that is entered into, delivered, established, amended, or renewed after June 30, 2003.
    (b) IC 27-8-24.1 , as added by this act, applies to an accident and sickness insurance policy that is issued, delivered, amended, or renewed after June 30, 2003.
    (c) IC 27-13-7-18 , as added by this act, applies to a health maintenance organization contract that is entered into, delivered, amended, or renewed after June 30, 2003.