Text of HB 3598 [1] http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/house/186/ht03/ht03598.htm

Nini Silver of the Disability Policy Consortium invites the hearing impaired community to meetings to prepare for Beacon Hill testimony on November 10 on these bills:

Rep. Sean Garballey filed House Bill 910. If passed, the bill would cover one hearing aid per hearing impaired ear up to $1,600 every three years (with an option for the insured to pay the difference in cost for a higher-priced aid).

There will be a hearing on November 10th at the State House.  Room and time to be announced. A group of folks will be meeting at the DPC office to prepare for the hearing. We will meet on October 1st 6-8PM and November 5th 6-8PM.  CART is confirmed and interpreters have been requested.  I hope you can join us.  A copy of the current bill is attached.
Also, FYI, MASHA is in full support of this bill.  I will be attending their meeting on October 8th to talk to them in depth about the bill.  We already have a large group of supporters.

If you have any questions or would like further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Nini Silver
Community Organizer
Disability Policy Consortium       email:  nsilver@dpcma.org

Additional comment on HB910 by Dr.Brian J. Fligor, Sc.D., CCC-A
“As I am sure many of you on this list know, one key ingredient to getting the audiology community behind legislation that mandates coverage for hearing aids and related services in the option to allow for “balance billing” when the device and services will exceed the benefit amount. Putting a cap on the benefit, without the option of balance billing, would tie the hands of the dispensing professional to allow the insured to access higher level technology when needed. As well, within a few years, this $1600 will likely be less of a benefit than it is now, given everything costs more over time due to inflation. Making this a benefit toward the cost of the device and services and allow for balance-billing would at least make this relevant legislation in 10 years.

To my knowledge, Rep. Garballey has confirmed to Lisa Adams (lcadams56@hotmail.com), who is the organizer of Mass.HAFCC – a (primarily) parent group with the mission to have passed legislation requiring insurance companies to cover the cost of the device and professional services for children needing hearing aids. that an amendment is in HB 910 to confirm this important option.”

Brian J. Fligor, Sc.D., CCC-A

Director of Diagnostic Audiology

Children’s Hospital Boston

Instructor in Otology and Laryngology, Harvard Medical School