Missouri Passes Legislation Updating Required Private Insurance Coverage of Pediatric Hearing Aids

Legislation updating and improving mandated private insurance coverage of pediatric hearing aids (SB 43) was amended into a larger legislative package (SB 432) comprised of many pediatric-related provisions. This bill has passed both the House and Senate and is expected to be signed by the Governor.

Effective January 1, 2022, private insurance plans will be required to cover hearing aids at the same frequency as deemed medically necessary for Medicaid—every five years. Currently, private insurance plans are only required to issue one pair of hearing aids from birth to 18 years of age.