Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

Legislative Analysis
                                                                          Phone: (517) 373-8080
HEARING AID COVERAGE FOR MINORS                                           http://www.house.mi.gov/hfa
House Bill 4944 (H-3) as passed by the House                              Analysis available at
Sponsor: Rep. Dale Zorn                                                   http://www.legislature.mi.gov
House Bill 4963 (H-4) as passed by the House
Sponsor: Rep. Samantha Steckloff
Committee: Insurance and Financial Services
Complete to 12-5-24
SUMMARY:
       House Bills 4944 and 4963 would amend the Insurance Code to require insurers that
       deliver, issue for delivery, or renew health insurance policies in Michigan to provide
       coverage for hearing aids (HB 4944) and hearing-related services and devices (HB 4963)
       for qualified enrollees. Both bills would allow insurers to subject the required coverage to
       applicable cost-sharing, including deductible, co-insurance, or co-pay provisions of the
       relevant health insurance policy. The bills would apply to health insurance policies
       delivered, executed, issued, amended, adjusted, or renewed in Michigan, or outside of
       Michigan if covering a Michigan resident, beginning January 1, 2026.
               Qualified enrollee would mean an enrollee to whom all of the following apply:
                 • The enrollee is less than 19 years of age.
                 • An audiologist has evaluated the enrollee for hearing loss.
                 • After the audiologist has evaluated the enrollee, an otolaryngologist has
                      medically evaluated the enrollee, determined they are a candidate for a
                      hearing aid, and referred the enrollee to the audiologist for evaluation,
                      selection, and fitting.
       House Bill 4944 would require coverage for hearing aids for the treatment of hearing loss
       for qualified enrollees that are selected by an audiologist after evaluation, up to a maximum
       required coverage of $3,000 per hearing aid every 36 months. The bill would allow a
       qualified enrollee to choose a hearing aid more expensive than the maximum required
       coverage, but they would be responsible for the difference in cost.
               Hearing aid would mean a wearable, nondisposable instrument or device,
               including any parts, attachments, or accessories, designed or offered to aid or
               compensate impaired human hearing.
       The maximum required coverage would be adjusted for inflation using the Consumer Price
       Index annually on January 1, beginning in 2026.
       Proposed MCL 500.3406cc
House Fiscal Agency                                                                        Page 1 of 3
       House Bill 4963 would require coverage for hearing-related services and devices for
       qualified enrollees.
               Hearing-related services and devices would include all of the following:
                  • Audiological examinations and services necessary to assess, select, and
                     adjust or fit a hearing aid to ensure optimal performance.
                  • Hearing aid evaluations, programming, conformity evaluations or
                     prescription verification measures, servicing, maintenance, and repairs.
                  • Remote microphones.
                  • Earmolds and replacement earmolds.
                  • Auditory training and speech language habilitation by an audiologist and
                     speech language pathologist.
       Proposed MCL 500.3406jj
       Neither bill can take effect unless both are enacted.
BRIEF DISCUSSION:
       According to committee testimony, hearing loss is among the most common birth defects,
       affecting about 2,700 students in Michigan. Without insurance coverage, children can be
       forced to go without important interventions and screenings if families are unable to cover
       the costs out of pocket. Supporters argue that the bills would increase access to early
       interventions for this critical public health issue. They also pointed to evidence that earlier
       interventions can increase their success and decrease costs.
FISCAL IMPACT:
       The bills would not have a fiscal impact on the Department of Insurance and Financial
       Services or on other units of state or local government.
POSITIONS:
       Representatives of the following entities testified in support of the bills (10-19-23):
          • Department of Civil Rights
          • Michigan State University
          • Trenton Public Schools
          • Let MI Child Hear
          • Michigan Coalition for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deafblind
       The following entities indicated support for the bills:
          • Detroit Disability Power (10-19-23)
          • Hearing Loss Association of America, Michigan State Association (10-19-23)
          • Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (10-19-23)
          • Michigan Audiology Commission (2-7-23)
          • Michigan Nurses Association (2-7-23)
House Fiscal Agency                               HBs 4944 (H-2) and 4963 (H-3) as reported   Page 2 of 3
       The following entities indicated opposition to the bills (2-7-23):
          • Michigan Association of Health Plans
          • Michigan Chamber of Commerce
                                                         Legislative Analyst:      Alex Stegbauer
                                                              Fiscal Analyst:      Marcus Coffin
■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their
deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
House Fiscal Agency                                HBs 4944 (H-2) and 4963 (H-3) as reported   Page 3 of 3
Statutes affected: 
Substitute (H-3): 500.100, 500.8302
Substitute (H-4): 500.100, 500.8302
House Introduced Bill: 500.100, 500.8302
As Passed by the House: 500.100, 500.8302