Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 130 CMR - DIVISION OF MEDICAL ASSISTANCE › Title 130 CMR 416.000 - Hearing Instrument Specialist Services › Section 416.402 - Definitions

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
The following terms used in
				130 CMR 416.000 have the
				meanings given in 130 CMR 416.402 unless the context clearly requires a
				different meaning. The reimbursability of services defined in 130 CMR 416.402
				is not determined by these definitions, but by application of regulations
				elsewhere in
				130 CMR 416.000 and
				450.000:
Administrative and Billing Regulations
.
Accessories
- those essential items or
				options on a hearing aid purchased by a hearing instrument specialist that are
				not intrinsic components of the basic hearing aid unit. Accessories do not
				include nonessential items such as carrying cases.
Adjusted Acquisition Cost
- the unit
				price paid to a manufacturer by a hearing instrument specialist for a hearing
				aid or accessories, excluding postal-insurance charges. The adjusted
				acquisition cost does not exceed the manufacturer's current catalog price and
				is verified by a copy of the manufacturer's invoice retained by the hearing
				instrument specialist in the member's medical record as described under
				130 CMR
				416.419.
Binaural
- the type of fitting or
				hearing aid necessitated by varying degrees of hearing loss in both ears that
				requires unparalleled amplification via the use of two microphones and two
				receivers.
Binaural Fitting
- the fitting of two
				hearing aids, one to each ear, by a hearing instrument specialist; the fitting
				to the second ear taking place no later than six months after the fitting to
				the first ear.
Complete Audiological Evaluation
- an
				evaluation that includes a routine audiological examination (air and bone
				conduction, spondee thresholds, and word discrimination testing) as recommended
				by a physician.
Date of Service
- the date on which
				the medical service is furnished to a member or, in the case of custom-made
				goods, the date on which the goods are delivered to a member.
Dispense
- the prescription of a
				hearing aid, its modification, its fitting, orientation to its use, and any
				adjustments required within the manufacturer's trial warranty period.
Dispensing Fee
- a one-time-only fee
				for dispensing monaural or binaural hearing aids. The fee includes initial
				programming, fitting, orientation to its use, and any adjustments required
				during the manufacturer's trail warranty period.
Hearing Aid
- A hearing aid is a small
				electronic device consisting of a microphone, amplifer, and a receiver.
Independent Hearing Instrument
				Specialist
- a hearing instrument specialist who is licensed in
				accordance with
				130 CMR
				416.404 and who is engaged in the practice of
				hearing aid dispensing through a private practice or self-employment, or
				both.
Major Repair
- a repair to a hearing
				aid that must be made at a repair facility other than the hearing instrument
				specialist's place of business.
Minor Repair
- a repair to a hearing
				aid performed at the hearing instrument specialist's place of business, such
				as, but not limited to, the replacement or cleaning of tubing.
Monaural Fitting
- the fitting of one
				hearing aid by a hearing instrument specialist.