HIRC Review of Hearing Aid Coverage (language only)

Item 487 #1c

Language

Page 471, after line 20, insert:

"C.1. Notwithstanding § 38.2-3418.18, as enacted during the 2020 Regular Session of the General Assembly, coverage of hearing aids for children shall not become effective until the Health Insurance Reform Commission, established pursuant to Chapter 53 (§ 30-339 et seq.) of Title 30 of the Code of Virginia, has completed an assessment of such coverage in accordance with the requirements of § 30-343 of the Code of Virginia, including a joint assessment by the Bureau of Insurance of the State Corporation Commission and the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission of the social and financial impact of the proposed mandate in accordance with § 30-343 of the Code of Virginia and the impact of the proposed mandate on health care providers, access to health care services, and the cost of health care in the Commonwealth and any process changes required to implement the mandated benefit.  In addition, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission and the Bureau of Insurance shall jointly examine whether changes could be made to the Essential Health Benefits Benchmark Plan to include hearing aids for minors as an essential health benefit without cost to the Commonwealth.

2. The Health Insurance Reform Commission, the Bureau of Insurance, and the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission shall report their findings to the Chairs of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees by November 1, 2020.

3. If the findings determine that no fiscal impact shall be incurred by the Commonwealth, such coverage may commence on July 1, 2021."