Medicare Hearing Aid Coverage Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-1653
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-12]
Introduced: 2015-03-26
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Congressional oversight

Government studies and investigations

Health technology, devices, supplies

Hearing, speech, and vision care

Medical tests and diagnostic methods

Medicare
Latest action: action_date: 2015-04-07
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Summaries:
action_date: 2015-03-26
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Medicare Hearing Aid Coverage Act of 2015</b></p> <p>This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to repeal the exclusion, and allow coverage, of hearing aids and examinations for them.</p> <p>The Government Accountability Office is directed to study programs that provide assistance for hearing aids and related examinations for individuals with hearing loss.</p>

tv_txt: I 114th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1653 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 26, 2015 Mrs. Dingell introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce , and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means , for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned A BILL To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to remove the exclusion of Medicare coverage for hearing aids and examinations therefor, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Medicare Hearing Aid Coverage Act of 2015 . 2. Removing Medicare exclusion of coverage of hearing aids and examinations therefor (a) In general Section 1862(a)(7) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395y(a)(7) ) is amended by striking hearing aids or examinations therefor, . (b) Effective date The amendment made by this section shall apply to items and services furnished on or after January 1, 2016. 3. GAO study and report on hearing aid programs (a) Study The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study of programs, including Federal programs and health insurance coverage, that provide assistance for hearing aids and related examinations for individuals with hearing loss. Such study shall include an examination of the number of individuals in the United States with hearing loss who need hearing aids, their coverage under such programs, and the effectiveness of such programs in meeting such need. Such study may also address programs that are designed to reduce or mitigate the incidence of hearing loss. (b) Report Not later than 18 months after the date specified in section 2(c), the Comptroller General shall submit a report to Congress on the study conducted under subsection (a). Such report shall include such recommendations on changes in such programs, including the establishment of new programs, as would meet the needs of individuals with hearing loss.