NASHVILLE — Gov. Bill Haslam signed legislation last week requiring private insurance plans to include coverage of hearing aids for children.
Senate Bill 607 <http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=SB0607> , sponsored by Sen. Doug Overbey, R-Maryville, Sen. Bill Ketron, R-Murfreesboro, and Rep. Richard Montgomery, R-Sevierville, requires that health insurance policies provide coverage of up to $1,000 per individual hearing aid per ear, every three years, for every child covered as a dependent by the policy holder.
“Insurance coverage for hearing devices is very important to help make them affordable so these children grow and learn,” said Overbey. “There are many benefits to passing this legislation. If you provide hearing aids in early childhood you save money for therapeutic services and hospitalization down the road. The true savings of allowing children to have hearing aids, however, is that they become active members of their school day one.”
“I am very pleased this bill has become law,” added Ketron. “No child should have to go through life without hearing, especially when there is a medical device available to help them."
"This bill has been of great importance to many of us,” added Montgomery. “Hearing is critical to the development of a child. This new law will help many children have an opportunity to receive a hearing device for both their own personal success and to become productive citizens of Tennessee"
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