Texas lawmakers debate coverage for child hearing aids
By Phil Prazan
May 5, 2015
AUSTIN (KXAN) — It is estimated every day two or three children are born in Texas deaf or hard of hearing. But Texas does not require insurance companies cover the cost of hearing aids for children. A bill sponsored by Rep. Rodney Anderson, R-Irving/Grand Prairie, could change that. It is also known as the Hearing Aid Coverage for Children Act.
“Progressive hearing loss means he will continue to lose little hearing, and eventually he’ll be deaf,” Chrystal Smith said about her 6-year-old son Daniel.
And keeping up with a bag full of supplies can add up. By the time Daniel is 18, she expects to pay more than $40,000 out of pocket.
“That doesn’t include the equipment, the battery, the cleaning, the audiologist, the ENT, the speech therapy, and all of that,” said Smith.
Texas does not require her insurance to cover hearing aids, like it does for glasses.
“We should be saving for college, we’re saving for hearing aids,” said Smith.
She hopes the Hearing Aid Coverage for Children Act will pass by the end of session so lawmakers will hear the needs of Daniel, and other Texas children.
“HB 2979 is an important step to ensure that children receive the hearing aids they need early in life; not only does it prepare those children to be productive later in life, it also potentially saves the state of Texas hundreds of thousands of dollars in special education and rehabilitation costs per child,” said Anderson.
The bill was left pending in committee after a public hearing, waiting for a vote.
This issue is not unique to Texas. Only 20 states require health insurance companies to cover the cost of child’s hearing aids.
SOURCE:
http://kxan.com/2015/05/05/texas-lawmakers-debate-coverage-for-child-hearing-aids/