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Supporters urge insurance coverage for hearing aids for Montanans of all ages
Summary
House Bill 6-07 would extend insurance coverage for hearing aids to adults as well as children; proponents including AARP, audiologists and disability advocates urged passage while officials and analysts discussed fiscal impacts and federal defrayment rules.
Representative Paul Tuss told the committee House Bill 6-07 would remove an age limit in existing statute so hearing‑aid coverage through insurance applies regardless of age. He framed the bill as addressing a quality‑of‑life gap and cited research linking hearing‑aid use to lower dementia prevalence.
Multiple proponents testified, including private citizens, AARP, audiologists and advocacy organizations. Brad Griffin (private citizen) described the high cost of hearing aids and argued coverage would reduce isolation and long‑term costs. Jennifer Hensley for the Montana Speech Hearing Association said the sponsor’s rebuttal to the fiscal note was reasonable and that federal changes have already driven hearing‑aid prices down.
Department and state benefit officials described how the state plan covers about 30,000 lives and estimated roughly 460 members could use coverage if enacted; they outlined the federal requirement that states defray costs for mandated benefits in the individual and small‑group markets. The sponsor questioned assumptions in the fiscal note and proposed lower per‑device estimates and longer replacement intervals to reduce projected costs.
Committee members asked about work‑comp, CHIP and federal interactions; agency staff said they would provide clarifications and data on past reimbursements. The hearing closed with the sponsor asking for passage and committee staff noting the fiscal questions would be reviewed in the money committee.
