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
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Additions: Whenever a new statutory provision is being enacted (or a new constitutional
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NEW will appear in that style type in the introductory clause of each SECTION that adds
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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.